Bill Redfern
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Christened John William Redfern but always known as Bill, he was born in 1941 and served his apprenticeship with Harry Wragg at Newmarket. He rode seven winners on the Flat before changing codes and becoming a northern-based National Hunt jockey, riding solely for Arthur (W.A.) Stephenson.
Christened John William Redfern but always known as Bill, he was born in 1941 and served his apprenticeship with Harry Wragg at Newmarket. He rode seven winners on the Flat before changing codes and becoming a northern-based National Hunt jockey, riding solely for Arthur (W.A.) Stephenson.
He rode his first winner on Chino, trained by Harry Wragg, in the Dove Maiden Plate for three-year-olds at Newcastle on August 4, 1958. He won on Chino again at Stockton on August 15, at Pontefract on August 30 and completed the four-timer at Yarmouth on September 17. His only other winner that year was Briar Close for Malton trainer Bill Dutton at Newcastle on October 15.
He rode his first winner on Chino, trained by Harry Wragg, in the Dove Maiden Plate for three-year-olds at Newcastle on August 4, 1958. He won on Chino again at Stockton on August 15, at Pontefract on August 30 and completed the four-timer at Yarmouth on September 17. His only other winner that year was Briar Close for Malton trainer Bill Dutton at Newcastle on October 15.
Newcastle appeared to be Bill’s lucky track. He rode his only winner of 1959 there on White Rain for Middleham trainer Bill Haigh on June 26, and likewise his sole successes of 1960 on Harry Wragg’s Natuso on Easter Monday.
Newcastle appeared to be Bill’s lucky track. He rode his only winner of 1959 there on White Rain for Middleham trainer Bill Haigh on June 26, and likewise his sole successes of 1960 on Harry Wragg’s Natuso on Easter Monday.
That was the extent of his Flat racing career. When completing his apprenticeship later that year he moved north and joined the Leasingthorne, Bishop Auckland stable of Arthur (W.A.) Stephenson and took out a jump jockey’s licence for the 1960/61 season.
That was the extent of his Flat racing career. When completing his apprenticeship later that year he moved north and joined the Leasingthorne, Bishop Auckland stable of Arthur (W.A.) Stephenson and took out a jump jockey’s licence for the 1960/61 season.
He rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on Stephenson’s novice hurdler Indian Stroller at Ayr on March 20, 1961, then won on him again at Bangor-on-Dee on April 7, and for a third time at Uttoxeter on May 11.
He rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on Stephenson’s novice hurdler Indian Stroller at Ayr on March 20, 1961, then won on him again at Bangor-on-Dee on April 7, and for a third time at Uttoxeter on May 11.
If there is one horse with which he will always be associated, it is Arthur Stephenson’s Lucky Leaprechaun. Bill won on him first time out when he sprang a 20/1 surprise in a three-year-old hurdle race at Hexham on October 1, 1962. He kept the ride after that and won twice more on him that season, at Liverpool in December and Hexham in May.
If there is one horse with which he will always be associated, it is Arthur Stephenson’s Lucky Leaprechaun. Bill won on him first time out when he sprang a 20/1 surprise in a three-year-old hurdle race at Hexham on October 1, 1962. He kept the ride after that and won twice more on him that season, at Liverpool in December and Hexham in May.
All Bill’s three wins in 1963/64 were gained on Lucky Leprechaun, at Southwell, Doncaster and Kelso. The nearest they came to winning in 1964/65 was a couple of second place finishes but they were back in the winner’s enclosure the following term when tried over fences, winning a couple of novice chases in January 1966.
All Bill’s three wins in 1963/64 were gained on Lucky Leprechaun, at Southwell, Doncaster and Kelso. The nearest they came to winning in 1964/65 was a couple of second place finishes but they were back in the winner’s enclosure the following term when tried over fences, winning a couple of novice chases in January 1966.
Bill rode Lucky Leaprechaun for the final time on March 25, 1966, at Liverpool, completing the course in the National Hunt Centenary Year running of the Mildmay Chase over the ‘old’ Mildmay course, which were smaller versions of the Grand National fences. He had ridden him in over 50 races, winning eight times. In fact, Lucky Leaprechaun was responsible for all bar one of his winning rides between October 1962 and January 1966.
Bill rode Lucky Leaprechaun for the final time on March 25, 1966, at Liverpool, completing the course in the National Hunt Centenary Year running of the Mildmay Chase over the ‘old’ Mildmay course, which were smaller versions of the Grand National fences. He had ridden him in over 50 races, winning eight times. In fact, Lucky Leaprechaun was responsible for all bar one of his winning rides between October 1962 and January 1966.
Bill’s sole winning ride of the 1966/67 campaign was Arthur Stephenson’s Balty Boys on the Tuesday of Wetherby’s Easter meeting. That same horse also gave him only two wins of 1967/68, at Doncaster and Wetherby. There was just one winner in each of the next two seasons, Olympic Games at Haydock in November 1968 and Superswift at Wetherby in October 1969, but he achieved a career-best score of six for the 1970/71 campaign.
Bill’s sole winning ride of the 1966/67 campaign was Arthur Stephenson’s Balty Boys on the Tuesday of Wetherby’s Easter meeting. That same horse also gave him only two wins of 1967/68, at Doncaster and Wetherby. There was just one winner in each of the next two seasons, Olympic Games at Haydock in November 1968 and Superswift at Wetherby in October 1969, but he achieved a career-best score of six for the 1970/71 campaign.
He rode what was to be the last of his 35 winners - seven on the Flat, 28 over jumps – on Puritan in the Alconbury Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on 29 August 1977.
He rode what was to be the last of his 35 winners - seven on the Flat, 28 over jumps – on Puritan in the Alconbury Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on 29 August 1977.
He later trained but enjoyed only limited success.
He later trained but enjoyed only limited success.
Bill Redfern died on January 12, 2013, aged 71.
Bill Redfern died on January 12, 2013, aged 71.
Bill Redfern’s wins on Lucky Leaprechaun were as follows:
Bill Redfern’s wins on Lucky Leaprechaun were as follows:
Hexham, Rising Sun (3yo) Hurdle, October 1, 1962
Hexham, Rising Sun (3yo) Hurdle, October 1, 1962
Liverpool, Santa Claus Juvenile Hurdle, December 5, 1962
Liverpool, Santa Claus Juvenile Hurdle, December 5, 1962
Hexham Handicap Hurdle, Hexham, May 4, 1963
Hexham Handicap Hurdle, Hexham, May 4, 1963
Enthorpe Handicap Hurdle, Southwell, December 16, 1963
Enthorpe Handicap Hurdle, Southwell, December 16, 1963
Westfield Handicap Hurdle, Doncaster, March 10, 1964
Westfield Handicap Hurdle, Doncaster, March 10, 1964
Roxburgh Handicap Hurdle, Kelso, May 6, 1964
Roxburgh Handicap Hurdle, Kelso, May 6, 1964
Bonnytoun Novices’ Chase, Ayr, January 3, 1966
Bonnytoun Novices’ Chase, Ayr, January 3, 1966
Hamsterly Novices’ Chase, Sedgefield, January 11, 1966
Hamsterly Novices’ Chase, Sedgefield, January 11, 1966