Bill Rees
1934 - 2013
1934 - 2013
With his father and an uncle both having ridden a winner of the Grand National – father Bilbie won it on Music Hall in 1922, a year after uncle Fred ‘Dick’ Rees had triumphed on Shaun Spadah – it was always on the cards that young Bill Rees would follow in their footsteps. And so it proved.
With his father and an uncle both having ridden a winner of the Grand National – father Bilbie won it on Music Hall in 1922, a year after uncle Fred ‘Dick’ Rees had triumphed on Shaun Spadah – it was always on the cards that young Bill Rees would follow in their footsteps. And so it proved.
William Rees was born on January 8, 1934, and raised amid tales of Aintree and Cheltenham glories. He started out with Newmarket trainer Sam Armstrong but did not much care for the headquarters of Flat racing, so became apprenticed to Epsom trainer Walter Nightingall. He was just 14 when his name first appeared on a racecard on Tuesday, August 31, 1948. He rode Spadesace for Nightingall in the Apprentices’ Plate at Lewes.
William Rees was born on January 8, 1934, and raised amid tales of Aintree and Cheltenham glories. He started out with Newmarket trainer Sam Armstrong but did not much care for the headquarters of Flat racing, so became apprenticed to Epsom trainer Walter Nightingall. He was just 14 when his name first appeared on a racecard on Tuesday, August 31, 1948. He rode Spadesace for Nightingall in the Apprentices’ Plate at Lewes.
However, it was for Lambourn trainer Fred Templeman that he rode his first winner, Gold Sandal in the first race at Salisbury on August 24, 1950. He weighed out for the race at just 6st 7lb. It was not a weight he could sustain.
However, it was for Lambourn trainer Fred Templeman that he rode his first winner, Gold Sandal in the first race at Salisbury on August 24, 1950. He weighed out for the race at just 6st 7lb. It was not a weight he could sustain.
When his apprenticeship finished in 1953, he was already too heavy for the Flat. His ambitions turned to National Hunt racing, his elder brother Michael having already established himself over the jumps.
When his apprenticeship finished in 1953, he was already too heavy for the Flat. His ambitions turned to National Hunt racing, his elder brother Michael having already established himself over the jumps.
Bill had his first winner as a National Hunt jockey when taking the Canterbury Handicap Hurdle on Canberra on March 9, 1953, at Wye. It was trained by Snowy Parker who, a couple of years later, had entered Pelican Star to run in the Becher Chase. Bill was offered the ride and finished a gallant fourth, not a bad result on his first ride over the Aintree fences.
Bill had his first winner as a National Hunt jockey when taking the Canterbury Handicap Hurdle on Canberra on March 9, 1953, at Wye. It was trained by Snowy Parker who, a couple of years later, had entered Pelican Star to run in the Becher Chase. Bill was offered the ride and finished a gallant fourth, not a bad result on his first ride over the Aintree fences.
His first Grand National mount was Felias, trained by Fulke Walwyn, in 1957. The horse had recently been bought by the Daily Sketch specifically to run in the National. But there was to be no scoop for the Sketch, for Felias was brought down at the eleventh.
His first Grand National mount was Felias, trained by Fulke Walwyn, in 1957. The horse had recently been bought by the Daily Sketch specifically to run in the National. But there was to be no scoop for the Sketch, for Felias was brought down at the eleventh.
The following year he rode Colledge Master who, together with The Callant, was one of the best hunter-chasers ever. Bill pulled him up after a circuit. He had no luck again in 1959, parting company with Vigor, trained by Bob Turnell, at the second Canal Turn.
The following year he rode Colledge Master who, together with The Callant, was one of the best hunter-chasers ever. Bill pulled him up after a circuit. He had no luck again in 1959, parting company with Vigor, trained by Bob Turnell, at the second Canal Turn.
Earlier that month Bill had seen the Cheltenham Gold Cup snatched from his grasp when Turnell’s six-year-old Pas Seul fell at the last when holding a narrow lead from Roddy Owen and Linwell. But he was compensated twelve months later when Pas Seul atoned for his fall by winning the 1960 Gold Cup from Lochroe.
Earlier that month Bill had seen the Cheltenham Gold Cup snatched from his grasp when Turnell’s six-year-old Pas Seul fell at the last when holding a narrow lead from Roddy Owen and Linwell. But he was compensated twelve months later when Pas Seul atoned for his fall by winning the 1960 Gold Cup from Lochroe.
Royal trainer Peter Cazalet asked Bill to become his stable jockey for the 1960/61 season following the retirement of Arthur Freeman. He accepted the offer and was rewarded with a personal best tally of 52 winners and a fourth-place finish on Scottish Flight II in the 1961 Grand National.
Royal trainer Peter Cazalet asked Bill to become his stable jockey for the 1960/61 season following the retirement of Arthur Freeman. He accepted the offer and was rewarded with a personal best tally of 52 winners and a fourth-place finish on Scottish Flight II in the 1961 Grand National.
Despite failing to emulate his father and uncle’s achievements of winning the Grand National, he did have some success in some of the other Aintree races, winning both the Topham Trophy and Molyneux Chase in 1961 on board Cupid’s Charge; and the 1964 Becher Chase on the Queen Mother’s good chaser Silver Dome.
Despite failing to emulate his father and uncle’s achievements of winning the Grand National, he did have some success in some of the other Aintree races, winning both the Topham Trophy and Molyneux Chase in 1961 on board Cupid’s Charge; and the 1964 Becher Chase on the Queen Mother’s good chaser Silver Dome.
Bill rode over 50 winners for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, including several on her popular chasers Double Star, Laffy and The Rip. However, his career was bedevilled by injuries which would have forced lesser men to have at least contemplated retiring, but not so Bill.
Bill rode over 50 winners for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, including several on her popular chasers Double Star, Laffy and The Rip. However, his career was bedevilled by injuries which would have forced lesser men to have at least contemplated retiring, but not so Bill.
His indefatigable spirit was a wonderful example to others. He was still riding in his late 30s and, just eight days after celebrating his 37th birthday, he rode as strong a finish as has been seen from anyone all season when winning the Hairy Mary Handicap Hurdle on Artois at Ascot.
His indefatigable spirit was a wonderful example to others. He was still riding in his late 30s and, just eight days after celebrating his 37th birthday, he rode as strong a finish as has been seen from anyone all season when winning the Hairy Mary Handicap Hurdle on Artois at Ascot.
The beginning of the end came with a fall from the brilliant two-miler, Dunkirk, when taking on Arkle in the 1965 King George VI Chase at Kempton. Probably suffering from a heart attack. the ill-fated horse crashed through the last ditch, smashing Bill's right thigh.
The beginning of the end came with a fall from the brilliant two-miler, Dunkirk, when taking on Arkle in the 1965 King George VI Chase at Kempton. Probably suffering from a heart attack. the ill-fated horse crashed through the last ditch, smashing Bill's right thigh.
It took over a year for Bill to climb back in the saddle, by which time David Mould had taken over the reins as royal jockey. It took a further four months to ride his first winner back, but Lady Luck once again deserted him. Just a day after the Queen Mother's Oedipe had become his comeback winner, he fell from Lochmore at Fontwell, once again breaking his right thigh.
It took over a year for Bill to climb back in the saddle, by which time David Mould had taken over the reins as royal jockey. It took a further four months to ride his first winner back, but Lady Luck once again deserted him. Just a day after the Queen Mother's Oedipe had become his comeback winner, he fell from Lochmore at Fontwell, once again breaking his right thigh.
After another long spell on the sidelines, he decided to turn freelance but found rides increasingly difficult to come by.
After another long spell on the sidelines, he decided to turn freelance but found rides increasingly difficult to come by.
His last ride, a winning one, was on Arctic Bow in the Jim Ford Challenge Cup Chase at Wincanton on 22 February 1973.
His last ride, a winning one, was on Arctic Bow in the Jim Ford Challenge Cup Chase at Wincanton on 22 February 1973.
After hanging up his saddle, he became an assistant starter. Graduating to become a full starter, he earned the respect of the jockeys and acquired a reputation for being one of the best in the business. He released the starting tape for the last time at the Sandown meeting in January 1999, when, to mark his retirement, and handicap hurdle was named in his honour.
After hanging up his saddle, he became an assistant starter. Graduating to become a full starter, he earned the respect of the jockeys and acquired a reputation for being one of the best in the business. He released the starting tape for the last time at the Sandown meeting in January 1999, when, to mark his retirement, and handicap hurdle was named in his honour.
Bill Rees died on November 22, 2013, aged 79.
Bill Rees died on November 22, 2013, aged 79.
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Pas Seul (1960)
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Pas Seul (1960)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1958: Great Yorkshire Chase – Hall Weir
1958: Great Yorkshire Chase – Hall Weir
1961: Topham Trophy Chase – Cupid’s Charge
1961: Topham Trophy Chase – Cupid’s Charge
1961: Molyneux Chase – Cupid’s Charge
1961: Molyneux Chase – Cupid’s Charge
1962: Grand Annual Chase – Moretons
1962: Grand Annual Chase – Moretons
1963: Spa Hurdle – Beau Normand
1963: Spa Hurdle – Beau Normand
1963: Gillette Handicap Hurdle – Antiar
1963: Gillette Handicap Hurdle – Antiar
1964: Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase – Meon Valley
1964: Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase – Meon Valley
1964: Becher Chase – Silver Dome
1964: Becher Chase – Silver Dome
1965: Mackeson Gold Cup – Dunkirk
1965: Mackeson Gold Cup – Dunkirk
Bill Rees & Hall Weir: winners of the 1958 Great Yorkshire Chase
Bill Rees & Hall Weir: winners of the 1958 Great Yorkshire Chase