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Northern Ireland-born amateur rider William Murland achieved his greatest success when winning the 1885 Irish Grand National on the American-bred Billet Doux.
Northern Ireland-born amateur rider William Murland achieved his greatest success when winning the 1885 Irish Grand National on the American-bred Billet Doux.
Concerned by the decline of the Irish Grand National in recent years, Fairyhouse’s owners, the Ward Union Hunt Committee, decided to change the race’s conditions that year and make it a three-and-half-mile hunter chase.
Concerned by the decline of the Irish Grand National in recent years, Fairyhouse’s owners, the Ward Union Hunt Committee, decided to change the race’s conditions that year and make it a three-and-half-mile hunter chase.
The feature of that ‘new’ Irish Grand National was the appearance of the crack English amateur rider Roddy Owen, whose mount Castaway started 2-1 favourite by virtue of her good English form. However, they could only finish second, beaten four lengths by 5-1 chance Billet Doux.
The feature of that ‘new’ Irish Grand National was the appearance of the crack English amateur rider Roddy Owen, whose mount Castaway started 2-1 favourite by virtue of her good English form. However, they could only finish second, beaten four lengths by 5-1 chance Billet Doux.
Billet Doux was owned by the Polish American Count Eliott Zborowski and was originally stabled in Northamptonshire, where the Count maintained a sizeable string of hunters. The Count had spent the winter hunting extensively in Ireland, bringing over Billet Doux and several other horses for that purpose.
Billet Doux was owned by the Polish American Count Eliott Zborowski and was originally stabled in Northamptonshire, where the Count maintained a sizeable string of hunters. The Count had spent the winter hunting extensively in Ireland, bringing over Billet Doux and several other horses for that purpose.
The following year, William Murland, riding a horse named Wavelet, famously beat Fred Archer riding the odds-on Nautilus, which finished third, in a Flat race at Derby.
The following year, William Murland, riding a horse named Wavelet, famously beat Fred Archer riding the odds-on Nautilus, which finished third, in a Flat race at Derby.
Not until 1892 did the Irish Grand National revert to something approaching its original status, becoming a three-mile weight-for-age race. With penalties and allowances instead of a handicap, the hunter qualification was dropped and the Irish Grand National was once more open to professional jockeys.
Not until 1892 did the Irish Grand National revert to something approaching its original status, becoming a three-mile weight-for-age race. With penalties and allowances instead of a handicap, the hunter qualification was dropped and the Irish Grand National was once more open to professional jockeys.
Sadly, the sporting Count Eliott Zborowski was killed in a freak motor racing accident at Nice in 1903, his cufflink having got caught in the drive chain of his car. By morbid coincidence, his son was also later to be killed motor racing.
Sadly, the sporting Count Eliott Zborowski was killed in a freak motor racing accident at Nice in 1903, his cufflink having got caught in the drive chain of his car. By morbid coincidence, his son was also later to be killed motor racing.
As for William Murland, he became a member of the National Hunt Committee on 13 May 1901. He died on Tuesday, March 2 1926 at Daventry, aged 71, and was buried at Daventry Parish Church on Saturday, March 6 in the grave where his wife had been buried in September 1924.
As for William Murland, he became a member of the National Hunt Committee on 13 May 1901. He died on Tuesday, March 2 1926 at Daventry, aged 71, and was buried at Daventry Parish Church on Saturday, March 6 in the grave where his wife had been buried in September 1924.
William Murland rode a total of 98 winners including victories in the Conyngham Cup, the Ward Hunt Cup and the Dunboyne Cup. He rode regularly under both codes and was the breeder of the unbeaten Hurry On which won the September Stakes, the St Leger Substitute and the Jockey Club Cup.
William Murland rode a total of 98 winners including victories in the Conyngham Cup, the Ward Hunt Cup and the Dunboyne Cup. He rode regularly under both codes and was the breeder of the unbeaten Hurry On which won the September Stakes, the St Leger Substitute and the Jockey Club Cup.
Irish Grand National 1885: William wins on Billet Doux
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