Bill Ransom
1902 - 1988
1902 - 1988
William Fowler Ransom – familiarly known as Bill – was born on June 30, 1902. A farmer and permit trainer, based at High Dyke Farm, Wellingore, Lincolnshire, he rode a combined total of more than 100 winners under National Hunt rules and point-to-points between 1924 and 1949. His colours were dark blue, pale blue sleeves and collar.
William Fowler Ransom – familiarly known as Bill – was born on June 30, 1902. A farmer and permit trainer, based at High Dyke Farm, Wellingore, Lincolnshire, he rode a combined total of more than 100 winners under National Hunt rules and point-to-points between 1924 and 1949. His colours were dark blue, pale blue sleeves and collar.
He had his first ride under NH rules at his local course, Market Rasen, on May 17, 1924, finishing second on Star in the Amateur Hurdle. He achieved his first win under NH rules on 10-1 shot Campanologist in the Tally-ho Hurdle at Wetherby on Whit Monday, June 1, 1925.
He had his first ride under NH rules at his local course, Market Rasen, on May 17, 1924, finishing second on Star in the Amateur Hurdle. He achieved his first win under NH rules on 10-1 shot Campanologist in the Tally-ho Hurdle at Wetherby on Whit Monday, June 1, 1925.
Bill’s most successful season came in 1929/30 with a tally of ten, placing him sixth in the amateur riders’ table. However, he recorded his most important success when riding Huic Holloa to victory in the Minden Rose Chase at Manchester on October 29, 1932. He rode Huic Holloa in the 1933 Grand National – his sole ride in the race – but was forced to pull up due to a broken stirrup leather at the Canal Turn first time round.
Bill’s most successful season came in 1929/30 with a tally of ten, placing him sixth in the amateur riders’ table. However, he recorded his most important success when riding Huic Holloa to victory in the Minden Rose Chase at Manchester on October 29, 1932. He rode Huic Holloa in the 1933 Grand National – his sole ride in the race – but was forced to pull up due to a broken stirrup leather at the Canal Turn first time round.
Among his best horses was Shikari, who had started out on the Flat as a two-year-old. Bill won four chases on him in 1933. In April they won a two-mile maiden hunter chase at the annual Quorn Hunt fixture at Loughborough, in May a hunter chase at Woore, in June a Southwell hunter chase, and in December they were awarded a handicap chase at Derby after finishing second but being hampered.
Among his best horses was Shikari, who had started out on the Flat as a two-year-old. Bill won four chases on him in 1933. In April they won a two-mile maiden hunter chase at the annual Quorn Hunt fixture at Loughborough, in May a hunter chase at Woore, in June a Southwell hunter chase, and in December they were awarded a handicap chase at Derby after finishing second but being hampered.
Another decent one was Renown II, on whom Bill won a maiden hunter chase at Woore by 20 lengths in May 1938 and was placed on seven other occasions. He won six point-to-points on the mare Hillside Maid between April 1938 and April 1939, her wins coming at the Belvoir, Rufford, Grove and Blankney meetings. He also completed the course on her in the 1939 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, albeit last of the eleven finishers.
Another decent one was Renown II, on whom Bill won a maiden hunter chase at Woore by 20 lengths in May 1938 and was placed on seven other occasions. He won six point-to-points on the mare Hillside Maid between April 1938 and April 1939, her wins coming at the Belvoir, Rufford, Grove and Blankney meetings. He also completed the course on her in the 1939 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, albeit last of the eleven finishers.
Bill had the last of his 50 winners under NH rules on Flying Saint, whom he owned, trained and rode to win the Edwalton Handicap Chase at Southwell on February 15, 1946. The following month he was unlucky not to win the first post-war National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, Riding the 8-1 joint-favourite Jubilee Flight, he took the lead from 33-1 shot Prattler two fences from home and was in front when blundering at the last, allowing Prattler to get back up on the run-on to win by three-quarters of a length.
Bill had the last of his 50 winners under NH rules on Flying Saint, whom he owned, trained and rode to win the Edwalton Handicap Chase at Southwell on February 15, 1946. The following month he was unlucky not to win the first post-war National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, Riding the 8-1 joint-favourite Jubilee Flight, he took the lead from 33-1 shot Prattler two fences from home and was in front when blundering at the last, allowing Prattler to get back up on the run-on to win by three-quarters of a length.
He had his final ride under NH rules on the 16-year-old Richpool, who finished last of six in the De Aston National Hunt Flat Race at Market Rasen on April 24, 1948. He continued to ride in point-to-points, recording his last success in that sphere on Main Line in the South Wold Maiden race in 1949.
He had his final ride under NH rules on the 16-year-old Richpool, who finished last of six in the De Aston National Hunt Flat Race at Market Rasen on April 24, 1948. He continued to ride in point-to-points, recording his last success in that sphere on Main Line in the South Wold Maiden race in 1949.
As a permit holder, the best horses he owned and trained included The Ovens (who won nine chases), Clarkies, Battleshift and Most Unusual,
As a permit holder, the best horses he owned and trained included The Ovens (who won nine chases), Clarkies, Battleshift and Most Unusual,
Bill Ransom died on April 8, 1988, aged 85. His son Peter Bayley Ransom and daughter Rosemary Lomax both became successful trainers.
Bill Ransom died on April 8, 1988, aged 85. His son Peter Bayley Ransom and daughter Rosemary Lomax both became successful trainers.