William Matthews
William Matthews
William Matthews
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1883, William Henry Matthews held a Flat jockey’s licence between 1908 and 1912 but failed to ride a winner. However, he fared slightly better over jumps with one win in 1910 and three in 1911, all in selling hurdles.
Born in 1883, William Henry Matthews held a Flat jockey’s licence between 1908 and 1912 but failed to ride a winner. However, he fared slightly better over jumps with one win in 1910 and three in 1911, all in selling hurdles.
He made his debut on an unnamed filly in the Beckhampton Two-Year-Old Plate at Newbury on April 4, 1908. In a field of 30 they finished unplaced in a race won by Otto Maden on Lantana.
He made his debut on an unnamed filly in the Beckhampton Two-Year-Old Plate at Newbury on April 4, 1908. In a field of 30 they finished unplaced in a race won by Otto Maden on Lantana.
It was at Perth on September 22, 1910, that he gained his first success on what appears to have been his first ride under National Hunt rules. His mount, The Waiter, also making his debut over jumps, won the Tay Selling Hurdle by six lengths, beating three rivals. The three-year-old was sold after the race and William did not have chance to follow up on him.
It was at Perth on September 22, 1910, that he gained his first success on what appears to have been his first ride under National Hunt rules. His mount, The Waiter, also making his debut over jumps, won the Tay Selling Hurdle by six lengths, beating three rivals. The three-year-old was sold after the race and William did not have chance to follow up on him.
His second win came in the Bury Selling Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on January 23, 1911, aboard the six-year-old Peter Parley, who had not run for over a year but still managed to win by three-quarters of a length. That was followed by another selling hurdle success at Ludlow on February 22, courtesy of eight-year-old Guiston, who scored by eight lengths to record his first victory over jumps.
His second win came in the Bury Selling Handicap Hurdle at Manchester on January 23, 1911, aboard the six-year-old Peter Parley, who had not run for over a year but still managed to win by three-quarters of a length. That was followed by another selling hurdle success at Ludlow on February 22, courtesy of eight-year-old Guiston, who scored by eight lengths to record his first victory over jumps.
William’s final winner was Errigal in the Ledbury Selling Hurdle at Colwall Park on May 15, 1911. He kept the ride on the eight-year-old for his next outing, at Hooton Park on June 5, finishing second in the Whitsuntide Selling Handicap Hurdle. That was his last ride under National Hunt rules.
William’s final winner was Errigal in the Ledbury Selling Hurdle at Colwall Park on May 15, 1911. He kept the ride on the eight-year-old for his next outing, at Hooton Park on June 5, finishing second in the Whitsuntide Selling Handicap Hurdle. That was his last ride under National Hunt rules.
He did have at least one mount on the Flat in 1912, finishing unplaced on Madge Whinstone on the Canwick Maiden Stakes at Lincoln on March 27.
He did have at least one mount on the Flat in 1912, finishing unplaced on Madge Whinstone on the Canwick Maiden Stakes at Lincoln on March 27.
William's first winner was The Waiter at Perth, September 22, 1910
William's first winner was The Waiter at Perth, September 22, 1910