Bill O'Neill
Bill O’Neill
Bill O’Neill
1892-1967
1892-1967
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
William O’Neill, known as Bill, rode under National Hunt rules during the 1920s, retiring with a tally of 15 wins.
William O’Neill, known as Bill, rode under National Hunt rules during the 1920s, retiring with a tally of 15 wins.
Born in 1892, he had his first ride at Ludlow on February 18, 1920, when his mount High Water finished third in the Open Chase. Three months later he recorded his first win when Bishop’s Sutton beat three rivals to land the Island Selling Hurdle by five lengths at the Isle of Wight meeting. Although the four-year-old was sold after the race, Bill rode him again the following afternoon at the same course, finishing third, before the gelding was sent to continue his career in India.
Born in 1892, he had his first ride at Ludlow on February 18, 1920, when his mount High Water finished third in the Open Chase. Three months later he recorded his first win when Bishop’s Sutton beat three rivals to land the Island Selling Hurdle by five lengths at the Isle of Wight meeting. Although the four-year-old was sold after the race, Bill rode him again the following afternoon at the same course, finishing third, before the gelding was sent to continue his career in India.
Over the next few years Bill usually had around two dozen rides each season, interspersed with one or two victories. The exception was 1923 when he had five wins in the space of 35 days on horses trained by Captain Percy Whitaker.
Over the next few years Bill usually had around two dozen rides each season, interspersed with one or two victories. The exception was 1923 when he had five wins in the space of 35 days on horses trained by Captain Percy Whitaker.
It was back to just one success in 1924. He did, though have two rides over the Liverpool fences that year. On March 27 he got round safely, albeit a distant fifth, on Bright’s Boy in the Stanley Chase. The following day he rode 100-1 outsider Libretto in the Grand National. It proved an unusual experience and an example of Bill’s quick thinking, as recalled in Reg Green’s book ‘A Race Apart’.
It was back to just one success in 1924. He did, though have two rides over the Liverpool fences that year. On March 27 he got round safely, albeit a distant fifth, on Bright’s Boy in the Stanley Chase. The following day he rode 100-1 outsider Libretto in the Grand National. It proved an unusual experience and an example of Bill’s quick thinking, as recalled in Reg Green’s book ‘A Race Apart’.
“Jockey Bill O’Neill, having parted company with Libretto, found a novel way to get back in the race when intercepting the loose Conjuror II. Scrambling into the saddle, he set off ro catch up with his original conveyance and having done so switched places, whereupon the obliging Conjuror II strolled quietly away.”
“Jockey Bill O’Neill, having parted company with Libretto, found a novel way to get back in the race when intercepting the loose Conjuror II. Scrambling into the saddle, he set off ro catch up with his original conveyance and having done so switched places, whereupon the obliging Conjuror II strolled quietly away.”
Conjuror II, the 5-2 favourite, had been brought down by a loose horse at Becher’s on the first circuit. Whether or not Bill went on to complete the course is uncertain, as some reports give him as falling while others simply have him as unplaced, but he definitely fell at least once.
Conjuror II, the 5-2 favourite, had been brought down by a loose horse at Becher’s on the first circuit. Whether or not Bill went on to complete the course is uncertain, as some reports give him as falling while others simply have him as unplaced, but he definitely fell at least once.
Bill’s final win was on Monsieur Bacon in the Evesham Selling Hurdle at Pershore on May 7, 1928, although he had to survive an objection by Georges Pellerin, rider of the runner-up Possession, on the grounds of ‘bumping and crossing’. The same horse provided Bill with his final ride when unplaced in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on January 14, 1931.
Bill’s final win was on Monsieur Bacon in the Evesham Selling Hurdle at Pershore on May 7, 1928, although he had to survive an objection by Georges Pellerin, rider of the runner-up Possession, on the grounds of ‘bumping and crossing’. The same horse provided Bill with his final ride when unplaced in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park on January 14, 1931.
Bill O’Neill’s winners were, in chronological order:
Bill O’Neill’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Bishop’s Sutton, Isle of Wight, May 5, 1920
1. Bishop’s Sutton, Isle of Wight, May 5, 1920
2. Mudeford Rex, Newton Abbot, May 11, 1921
2. Mudeford Rex, Newton Abbot, May 11, 1921
3. Mural Carnation, Isle of Wight, October 5, 1921
3. Mural Carnation, Isle of Wight, October 5, 1921
4. Swivel, Wincanton, April 17, 1922
4. Swivel, Wincanton, April 17, 1922
5. Fugo, Windsor, January 20, 1923
5. Fugo, Windsor, January 20, 1923
6. Condor, Kempton Park, January 27, 1923
6. Condor, Kempton Park, January 27, 1923
7. Fugo, Manchester, February 2, 1923
7. Fugo, Manchester, February 2, 1923
8. Duncher, Windsor, February 15, 1923
8. Duncher, Windsor, February 15, 1923
9,. The Sheriff, Kempton Park, February 24, 1923
9,. The Sheriff, Kempton Park, February 24, 1923
10. Caltrop, Pershore, September 23, 1924
10. Caltrop, Pershore, September 23, 1924
11. Beggar’s End, Towcester, April 13, 1925
11. Beggar’s End, Towcester, April 13, 1925
12. Beaumonde, Ludlow, October 15, 1926
12. Beaumonde, Ludlow, October 15, 1926
13. Beaumonde, Southwell, June 4, 1927
13. Beaumonde, Southwell, June 4, 1927
14. Bachelor’s Lady, Vale of Aylesbury, April 5, 1928
14. Bachelor’s Lady, Vale of Aylesbury, April 5, 1928
15. Monsieur Bacon, Pershore, May 7, 1928
15. Monsieur Bacon, Pershore, May 7, 1928
Monsieur Bacon, Bill's final winner