William Madden
William Madden
William Madden
1884-1955
1884-1955
National Hunt jockey William Madden, nicknamed ‘Speedy’ Madden, was born on March 29, 1884. He was a cousin of four-time champion Flat jockey Otto Madden.
National Hunt jockey William Madden, nicknamed ‘Speedy’ Madden, was born on March 29, 1884. He was a cousin of four-time champion Flat jockey Otto Madden.
He made the perfect start to his career by winning on his first ride in public, Galleypot, in the Maiden Hurdle at Hurst Park on January 17, 1908, beating two Grand National-winning jockeys in the process, with Tich Mason finishing second on Triangle, beaten by a length, and Arthur Nightingall on Titan a neck further back in third.
He made the perfect start to his career by winning on his first ride in public, Galleypot, in the Maiden Hurdle at Hurst Park on January 17, 1908, beating two Grand National-winning jockeys in the process, with Tich Mason finishing second on Triangle, beaten by a length, and Arthur Nightingall on Titan a neck further back in third.
The Great War interrupted William’s career but he returned to action once hostilities ended and was at his peak during the 1920s. His banner year was in 1926 when he rode a double on the third day of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, winning the National Hunt Handicap Chase on future Grand National winner Sprig and the Broadway Novices’ Chase (known now as the Brown Advisory Chase) on Desert Chief, both trained by Tom Leader at Newmarket.
The Great War interrupted William’s career but he returned to action once hostilities ended and was at his peak during the 1920s. His banner year was in 1926 when he rode a double on the third day of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, winning the National Hunt Handicap Chase on future Grand National winner Sprig and the Broadway Novices’ Chase (known now as the Brown Advisory Chase) on Desert Chief, both trained by Tom Leader at Newmarket.
Two weeks later, William was reunited with Desert Chief to win the Stanley Chase on the first day of Liverpool’s Grand National meeting.
Two weeks later, William was reunited with Desert Chief to win the Stanley Chase on the first day of Liverpool’s Grand National meeting.
He rode what turned out to be his last winner on Elson, trained at Kinnersley by Tom Rimell, in the Burstow Selling Chase at Gatwick on February 3, 1927. Also that year, he had his sole ride in the Grand National aboard Tom Leader’s second string, Shaun Or, who fell at the eleventh fence. It was no doubt with mixed feelings that William returned to the weighing room to be told that Leader’s first string, Sprig, had won, ridden by his 24-year-old son Ted.
He rode what turned out to be his last winner on Elson, trained at Kinnersley by Tom Rimell, in the Burstow Selling Chase at Gatwick on February 3, 1927. Also that year, he had his sole ride in the Grand National aboard Tom Leader’s second string, Shaun Or, who fell at the eleventh fence. It was no doubt with mixed feelings that William returned to the weighing room to be told that Leader’s first string, Sprig, had won, ridden by his 24-year-old son Ted.
That Grand National mount on Shaun Or pretty much marked the end of his riding career. He retired from the saddle in October 1927 to concentrate on training greyhounds in partnership at Manchester White City.
That Grand National mount on Shaun Or pretty much marked the end of his riding career. He retired from the saddle in October 1927 to concentrate on training greyhounds in partnership at Manchester White City.
In 1934 he began training horses, based at Cheveley, near Newmarket. However, he finished training in 1940 and, following a 14-year absence, made a brief riding comeback in January 1941 for a couple of months, aged around 60, having his final mount at Plumpton on March 1, when finishing fourth on Knight of Glyn in an 18-runner novices’ hurdle.
In 1934 he began training horses, based at Cheveley, near Newmarket. However, he finished training in 1940 and, following a 14-year absence, made a brief riding comeback in January 1941 for a couple of months, aged around 60, having his final mount at Plumpton on March 1, when finishing fourth on Knight of Glyn in an 18-runner novices’ hurdle.
He had another brief spell as a racehorse trainer but relinquished his licence in 1946.
He had another brief spell as a racehorse trainer but relinquished his licence in 1946.
William Madden died at Manton on April 26, 1955, aged 71.
William Madden died at Manton on April 26, 1955, aged 71.