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Billy Morris
Billy Morris
National Hunt jockey William Anthony Frederick Morris, known as Billy, was born on May 2, 1962, the son of jump jockey and trainer Bill Morris.
National Hunt jockey William Anthony Frederick Morris, known as Billy, was born on May 2, 1962, the son of jump jockey and trainer Bill Morris.
He served his apprenticeship initially on the Flat with Geoff Huffer before joining Ombersley, Worcestershire trainer Frank Yardley, for whom he rode his first winner on Low Profile in the Doveridge Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on September 20, 1979. Low Flying was far better known as a prolific winning chaser so was a pretty safe conveyance over hurdles.
He served his apprenticeship initially on the Flat with Geoff Huffer before joining Ombersley, Worcestershire trainer Frank Yardley, for whom he rode his first winner on Low Profile in the Doveridge Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on September 20, 1979. Low Flying was far better known as a prolific winning chaser so was a pretty safe conveyance over hurdles.
In April 1980, Billy rode Yardley’s handicap hurdler The Ceiriog to win at Stratford. The following month they ventured further afield to land the Swedish Champion Hurdle at Stromsholm by six lengths.
In April 1980, Billy rode Yardley’s handicap hurdler The Ceiriog to win at Stratford. The following month they ventured further afield to land the Swedish Champion Hurdle at Stromsholm by six lengths.
Billy enjoyed his most successful season in 1980/81 with 14 winners.
Billy enjoyed his most successful season in 1980/81 with 14 winners.
He also rode two winners on the Flat during the summer of 1983. The first was Bettabet Geraghty in the Uddington Apprentice Handicap at Hamilton Park on July 14. This was followed by Northorpe in the Pat Phoenix Handicap at Redcar on August 5. (Pat Phoenix famously played Elsie Tanner in ITV’s long-running series ‘Coronation Street’.) Both of Billy’s winners were trained by Geoff Huffer.
He also rode two winners on the Flat during the summer of 1983. The first was Bettabet Geraghty in the Uddington Apprentice Handicap at Hamilton Park on July 14. This was followed by Northorpe in the Pat Phoenix Handicap at Redcar on August 5. (Pat Phoenix famously played Elsie Tanner in ITV’s long-running series ‘Coronation Street’.) Both of Billy’s winners were trained by Geoff Huffer.
He achieved his most important success in Britain when guiding 50-1 shot Mac’s Gift, trained by Luther Bridge at Stourbridge, to victory in Cheltenham’s Daily Express Triumph Hurdle Trial on December 10, 1983. Hopes that Mac’s Gift would develop into a genuine Triumph Hurdle contender were dashed next time out when he could finish only seventh in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow.
He achieved his most important success in Britain when guiding 50-1 shot Mac’s Gift, trained by Luther Bridge at Stourbridge, to victory in Cheltenham’s Daily Express Triumph Hurdle Trial on December 10, 1983. Hopes that Mac’s Gift would develop into a genuine Triumph Hurdle contender were dashed next time out when he could finish only seventh in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow.
Billy had his third and last Flat success on Gracious Homes, trained by Derek Haydn Jones in the Northfield Apprentice Selling Handicap at Windsor on July 16, 1984. (Until comparatively recent times, apprentices automatically lost their right to claim an allowance once they had ridden in a race under National Hunt rules. However, a more enlightened policy rescinding that rule was eventually put in place, enabling the likes of Billy to ride both as a conditional over jumps and as an apprentice on the Flat without forfeiting their claim.)
Billy had his third and last Flat success on Gracious Homes, trained by Derek Haydn Jones in the Northfield Apprentice Selling Handicap at Windsor on July 16, 1984. (Until comparatively recent times, apprentices automatically lost their right to claim an allowance once they had ridden in a race under National Hunt rules. However, a more enlightened policy rescinding that rule was eventually put in place, enabling the likes of Billy to ride both as a conditional over jumps and as an apprentice on the Flat without forfeiting their claim.)
Besides Frank Yardley, Billy rode for his father and for several local permit holders including Bernard Wells. However, having finally lost his claim, he struggled to find winning opportunities. In 1987/88 he managed just two winners from 65 mounts.
Besides Frank Yardley, Billy rode for his father and for several local permit holders including Bernard Wells. However, having finally lost his claim, he struggled to find winning opportunities. In 1987/88 he managed just two winners from 65 mounts.
Billy married fellow jockey Candy Moore, daughter of trainer Arthur Moore and sister of present-day trainer Gary Moore. That led to him riding for Arthur Moore on a regular basis.
Billy married fellow jockey Candy Moore, daughter of trainer Arthur Moore and sister of present-day trainer Gary Moore. That led to him riding for Arthur Moore on a regular basis.
Having moved to live in Newbury, he rode for Rod Simpson, who provided him with three of his four winners in the 1990/91 season. Unfortunately, Billy was unable to build on that and retired from the saddle in 1994.
Having moved to live in Newbury, he rode for Rod Simpson, who provided him with three of his four winners in the 1990/91 season. Unfortunately, Billy was unable to build on that and retired from the saddle in 1994.
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