William Redmond
William Redmond
William Redmond
1907-1995
1907-1995
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born on June 1, 1907, William Redmond, known popularly as Billy, rode 99 winners under National Hunt rules in Britain during a career lasting well over two decades. He enjoyed his most successful season in 1947/48 with 17 wins.
Born on June 1, 1907, William Redmond, known popularly as Billy, rode 99 winners under National Hunt rules in Britain during a career lasting well over two decades. He enjoyed his most successful season in 1947/48 with 17 wins.
His first ride was at Catterick Bridge on November 14, 1929, when finishing fourth on Smoke Screen in the Hipswell Selling Handicap Chase. It was at Hethersett on May 15, 1930, that Billy first tasted success, with Daring Boy taking the Eaton Selling Handicap Chase by four lengths.
His first ride was at Catterick Bridge on November 14, 1929, when finishing fourth on Smoke Screen in the Hipswell Selling Handicap Chase. It was at Hethersett on May 15, 1930, that Billy first tasted success, with Daring Boy taking the Eaton Selling Handicap Chase by four lengths.
Billy had 15 winners in the 1931/32 season, including an Easter Monday treble at Torquay, aboard Rosecomb in the Sidmouth Selling Handicap Chase, Heredity in the Torquay Selling Handicap Hurdle, and Chambord in the West of England Handicap Chase. That was also the season in which he had the first of five rides in the Grand National. However, his mount, 100-1 outsider Gibus, owned by Major Kenneth Menzies, was among the fallers.
Billy had 15 winners in the 1931/32 season, including an Easter Monday treble at Torquay, aboard Rosecomb in the Sidmouth Selling Handicap Chase, Heredity in the Torquay Selling Handicap Hurdle, and Chambord in the West of England Handicap Chase. That was also the season in which he had the first of five rides in the Grand National. However, his mount, 100-1 outsider Gibus, owned by Major Kenneth Menzies, was among the fallers.
He did, however, fare better in other rides over the Liverpool fences, finishing fourth on Golden Acre in the 1936 Grand Sefton Chase, and occupying the same position on Philip in the 1938 Stanley Chase.
He did, however, fare better in other rides over the Liverpool fences, finishing fourth on Golden Acre in the 1936 Grand Sefton Chase, and occupying the same position on Philip in the 1938 Stanley Chase.
Billy recorded his most important success on 20-1 shot Steel End, trained by Peter Thrale at West Horsley, in the 1939 Victory Chase at Manchester. He rode 50-1 chance Red Freeman in the 1939 Grand National but fell at the 13th fence. None the worse for that experience, the following month they finished fourth in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside. They made another attempt at Grand National glory in 1940 but this time only got as far as Becher’s first time round.
Billy recorded his most important success on 20-1 shot Steel End, trained by Peter Thrale at West Horsley, in the 1939 Victory Chase at Manchester. He rode 50-1 chance Red Freeman in the 1939 Grand National but fell at the 13th fence. None the worse for that experience, the following month they finished fourth in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside. They made another attempt at Grand National glory in 1940 but this time only got as far as Becher’s first time round.
He rode in two more Grand Nationals after the war, in 1946 on French challenger Symbole, who took a fatal fall at Becher’s; then in 1948 on Some Chicken, who fell at the third fence.
He rode in two more Grand Nationals after the war, in 1946 on French challenger Symbole, who took a fatal fall at Becher’s; then in 1948 on Some Chicken, who fell at the third fence.
Billy’s last win was at Windsor on December 10, 1948, when Laurelcrown, trained by former champion jockey Gerry Wilson, cruised home in the Copper Horse Handicap Chase, winning by 20 lengths.
Billy’s last win was at Windsor on December 10, 1948, when Laurelcrown, trained by former champion jockey Gerry Wilson, cruised home in the Copper Horse Handicap Chase, winning by 20 lengths.
It was not until May 21, 1951, that he had his final ride when Loyal Isle came home seventh of eight finishers in the Foxton Handicap Chase at Southwell.
It was not until May 21, 1951, that he had his final ride when Loyal Isle came home seventh of eight finishers in the Foxton Handicap Chase at Southwell.
Billy Redmond died in May 1995, aged 87.
Billy Redmond died in May 1995, aged 87.
