William Reeves
Born in Prestbury, Cheltenham in 1838, William Reeves rode a total of 118 winners over jumps between 1864 and 1879, his most important victories being the Grand Annual Chase, Grand Sefton and two editions of the Liverpool Hurdle. Most of those winners were also trained by him at Epsom. He also trained Pathfinder to win the 1875 Grand National
Born in Prestbury, Cheltenham in 1838, William Reeves rode a total of 118 winners over jumps between 1864 and 1879, his most important victories being the Grand Annual Chase, Grand Sefton and two editions of the Liverpool Hurdle. Most of those winners were also trained by him at Epsom. He also trained Pathfinder to win the 1875 Grand National
He recorded his first riding success on Captain Lamb’s horse Ocean Witch in the two-mile Free Handicap Chase at Worcester on November 2, 1864. He had earlier ridden Ocean Witch in that year’s Grand National, completing the course last of the five finishers. That was the first of his seven rides in the world’s most famous steeplechase, his best placing being fourth on Captain Crosstree in 1868.
He recorded his first riding success on Captain Lamb’s horse Ocean Witch in the two-mile Free Handicap Chase at Worcester on November 2, 1864. He had earlier ridden Ocean Witch in that year’s Grand National, completing the course last of the five finishers. That was the first of his seven rides in the world’s most famous steeplechase, his best placing being fourth on Captain Crosstree in 1868.
His seven Grand National mounts were:
His seven Grand National mounts were:
1964: Ocean Witch (20-1), fifth (last)
1964: Ocean Witch (20-1), fifth (last)
1866: Hall Court (30-1), fell
1866: Hall Court (30-1), fell
1868: Captain Crosstree (33-1), fourth
1868: Captain Crosstree (33-1), fourth
1869: Pearl Diver (100-7), fell
1869: Pearl Diver (100-7), fell
1873: New York (66-1), fell
1873: New York (66-1), fell
1876: Pathfinder (100-6), failed to finish
1876: Pathfinder (100-6), failed to finish
1877: Citizen (100-8), seventh (last)
1877: Citizen (100-8), seventh (last)
He achieved his two most important victories on 10-1 chance Columbia, owned by Reginald Herbert, in the 1866 Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase – one of the few winners William did not also train – and Citizen in the 1877 Grand Sefton Chase at Liverpool.
He achieved his two most important victories on 10-1 chance Columbia, owned by Reginald Herbert, in the 1866 Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase – one of the few winners William did not also train – and Citizen in the 1877 Grand Sefton Chase at Liverpool.
He was arguably unlucky not to have won more big races. He twice finished second in the Grand International Hurdle at Croydon on Foxholes (1868) and Lottery (1877). He was also second in the 1868 Grand Annual Chase on Captain Crosstree and the 1878 Liverpool Hurdle on Pluton. All four of those were trained by him.
He was arguably unlucky not to have won more big races. He twice finished second in the Grand International Hurdle at Croydon on Foxholes (1868) and Lottery (1877). He was also second in the 1868 Grand Annual Chase on Captain Crosstree and the 1878 Liverpool Hurdle on Pluton. All four of those were trained by him.
William enjoyed his best year in the saddle in 1868 with 12 wins, placing him joint seventh in the National Hunt jockeys’ table. The highlight of his training career was saddling Pathfinder, owned by Herbert Bird, to win the 1875 Grand National, ridden by Tommy Pickernell. William rode the horse himself the following year but failed to finish.
William enjoyed his best year in the saddle in 1868 with 12 wins, placing him joint seventh in the National Hunt jockeys’ table. The highlight of his training career was saddling Pathfinder, owned by Herbert Bird, to win the 1875 Grand National, ridden by Tommy Pickernell. William rode the horse himself the following year but failed to finish.
He rode his last winner on Militant in the Dunham Massey Handicap Chase at Manchester on November 21, 1879. He was unplaced on his final mount, Fabius, in the Grand International Handicap Hurdle at Croydon on March 8, 1881.
He rode his last winner on Militant in the Dunham Massey Handicap Chase at Manchester on November 21, 1879. He was unplaced on his final mount, Fabius, in the Grand International Handicap Hurdle at Croydon on March 8, 1881.
William Reeves died at Lambourn on July 16, 1913, aged 75. His father, William Reeves Snr (c1818-1871), had also been a successful trainer. He died on May 4, 1871.
William Reeves died at Lambourn on July 16, 1913, aged 75. His father, William Reeves Snr (c1818-1871), had also been a successful trainer. He died on May 4, 1871.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1866: Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase – Columbia
1866: Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase – Columbia
1874: Liverpool Hurdle – Lowlander (also trained)
1874: Liverpool Hurdle – Lowlander (also trained)
1876: Liverpool Hurdle – Whitebait (also trained)
1876: Liverpool Hurdle – Whitebait (also trained)
1877: Grand Sefton Chase – Citizen (also trained)
1877: Grand Sefton Chase – Citizen (also trained)
