William Maw
William Maw
William Maw
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
William Maw was the son of Harry Maw, an ex-motor racing driver who turned his attentions to training racehorses, based initially at Harrogate and then at Duston Park Stables, near Doncaster.
William Maw was the son of Harry Maw, an ex-motor racing driver who turned his attentions to training racehorses, based initially at Harrogate and then at Duston Park Stables, near Doncaster.
William rode some of his father’s horses during the late 1940s and early ’50s, the first being at Manchester on December 31, 1948, when Double Act, carrying 5lb overweight, was unplaced in the Club Maiden Hurdle, beating Wild Winter, ridden by leading amateur Danny Moralee, by a length, with Tim Molony two lengths further back in third on the 11-4 favourite Helm Way. .
William rode some of his father’s horses during the late 1940s and early ’50s, the first being at Manchester on December 31, 1948, when Double Act, carrying 5lb overweight, was unplaced in the Club Maiden Hurdle, beating Wild Winter, ridden by leading amateur Danny Moralee, by a length, with Tim Molony two lengths further back in third on the 11-4 favourite Helm Way. .
His one victory came at Sedgefield on May 20, 1950, when Avocado won the Darlington Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2). The five-year-old had been placed twice from three starts for William so far that season and had even contested a division of the prestigious Coronation Hurdle at Liverpool’s Grand National meeting when partnered by another leading amateur, Ted Greenway.
His one victory came at Sedgefield on May 20, 1950, when Avocado won the Darlington Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2). The five-year-old had been placed twice from three starts for William so far that season and had even contested a division of the prestigious Coronation Hurdle at Liverpool’s Grand National meeting when partnered by another leading amateur, Ted Greenway.
Although William continued to ride Avocado the following season, there were no more wins. He appears to have had his final ride when seventh of nine finishers on Wings Ashore in the Wigan Novices’ Chase at Haydock Park on December 2, 1950, although he did renew his licence for the 1953/54 season.
Although William continued to ride Avocado the following season, there were no more wins. He appears to have had his final ride when seventh of nine finishers on Wings Ashore in the Wigan Novices’ Chase at Haydock Park on December 2, 1950, although he did renew his licence for the 1953/54 season.
Harry Maw was instrumental in providing opportunities for Jack Berry during the early stages of his riding career. Jack joined him in 1960 as his jockey and head lad.
Harry Maw was instrumental in providing opportunities for Jack Berry during the early stages of his riding career. Jack joined him in 1960 as his jockey and head lad.
Writing in his autobiography ‘It’s Tougher at the Bottom’, Jack remembered Harry Maw and his wife, Millie. “They were an oldish couple who were just about ready for someone like me to come onto the scene to take the hard work out of the job so the old boy could enjoy the fruits of the seeds he had sown, and get a bit of pleasure out of the game he had put so much into.”
Writing in his autobiography ‘It’s Tougher at the Bottom’, Jack remembered Harry Maw and his wife, Millie. “They were an oldish couple who were just about ready for someone like me to come onto the scene to take the hard work out of the job so the old boy could enjoy the fruits of the seeds he had sown, and get a bit of pleasure out of the game he had put so much into.”
William Maw's only winner: Avocado at Sedgefield on May 20, 1950