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Tony McWilliams
Article by Alan Trout
Hugh Anthony McWilliams, known as Tony, rode over jumps in the early part of the 1980s and had four winners. A conditional jockey with leading northern trainer Gordon W. Richards, he had his first ride at Hexham on October 22, 1980, when King Vulture finished fifth of 12 runners in the Sunniside Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Hugh Anthony McWilliams, known as Tony, rode over jumps in the early part of the 1980s and had four winners. A conditional jockey with leading northern trainer Gordon W. Richards, he had his first ride at Hexham on October 22, 1980, when King Vulture finished fifth of 12 runners in the Sunniside Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
He rode his first winner at Carlisle on April 18, 1981, when the Lord Melbourne took an early lead and drew clear to take the Cumersdale Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle by 20 lengths. The form book result incorrectly gives his surname as ‘MacWilliams’ rather than McWilliams.
He rode his first winner at Carlisle on April 18, 1981, when the Lord Melbourne took an early lead and drew clear to take the Cumersdale Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle by 20 lengths. The form book result incorrectly gives his surname as ‘MacWilliams’ rather than McWilliams.
Tony made a good start to the following season, winning two races on the seven-year-old Floran, trained by Tommy Cuthbert. First they landed the Kinnoull Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Perth on September 24, beating the 15-year-old veteran Hurry Back by six lengths, then they took the Rydal Water Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle four days later, going clear from two flights out and beating Midnight Mary, the mount of amateur John Carden, by three lengths.
Tony made a good start to the following season, winning two races on the seven-year-old Floran, trained by Tommy Cuthbert. First they landed the Kinnoull Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Perth on September 24, beating the 15-year-old veteran Hurry Back by six lengths, then they took the Rydal Water Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle four days later, going clear from two flights out and beating Midnight Mary, the mount of amateur John Carden, by three lengths.
Their hat-trick bid at Kelso on October 17 did not go well. Floran was lying third and being hard ridden when trying to run out at the last flight, unseating Tony in the process.
Their hat-trick bid at Kelso on October 17 did not go well. Floran was lying third and being hard ridden when trying to run out at the last flight, unseating Tony in the process.
The opening day of the 1983 Cheltenham Festival saw Tony’s fourth and last winner. It was not at the headquarters of jump racing but at lowly Sedgefield, where Shughie, trained by Gordon W. Richards, came with a strong run from the last flight to overhaul the two horses in front and clinch the Ellerman Bee Line Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle. That was the eight-year-old Shughie’s first start since November and Tony had one later ride on him, finishing fourth. Again, the form book results incorrectly gave his surname as ‘MacWilliams’
The opening day of the 1983 Cheltenham Festival saw Tony’s fourth and last winner. It was not at the headquarters of jump racing but at lowly Sedgefield, where Shughie, trained by Gordon W. Richards, came with a strong run from the last flight to overhaul the two horses in front and clinch the Ellerman Bee Line Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle. That was the eight-year-old Shughie’s first start since November and Tony had one later ride on him, finishing fourth. Again, the form book results incorrectly gave his surname as ‘MacWilliams’
It was at Cartmel on Whit Monday, May 30, 1983 that Tony had his final ride when Middle Girl finished tailed off in the Hartington Novices’ Hurdle.
It was at Cartmel on Whit Monday, May 30, 1983 that Tony had his final ride when Middle Girl finished tailed off in the Hartington Novices’ Hurdle.
Tony McWilliams’ winners were, in chronological order:
Tony McWilliams’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. Lord Melbourne, Carlisle, April 18, 1981
1. Lord Melbourne, Carlisle, April 18, 1981
2. Floran, Perth, September 24, 1981
2. Floran, Perth, September 24, 1981
3. Floran, Carlisle, September 28, 1981
3. Floran, Carlisle, September 28, 1981
4. Shughie, Sedgefield, March 15, 1983
4. Shughie, Sedgefield, March 15, 1983
Tony McWilliams' first winner: Lord Melbourne, Carlisle, April 18, 1981
Tony McWilliams' first winner: Lord Melbourne, Carlisle, April 18, 1981
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