Willie Ryan
William Ryan was born in Cambridge on December 22, 1964 and was the son of successful jockey Denis Ryan and grandson of trainer Willie Stephenson.
William Ryan was born in Cambridge on December 22, 1964 and was the son of successful jockey Denis Ryan and grandson of trainer Willie Stephenson.
Willie followed Steve Perks and Kevin Darley as champion apprentices attached to Reg Hollinshead's stable. He shared the title with Gary Carter in 1985 with 37 winners from 392 mounts.
Willie followed Steve Perks and Kevin Darley as champion apprentices attached to Reg Hollinshead's stable. He shared the title with Gary Carter in 1985 with 37 winners from 392 mounts.
Willie's first winner was Will George at Windsor, August 23, 1982
Willie's first winner was Will George at Windsor, August 23, 1982
He joined Henry Cecil's stable as second jockey to Steve Cauthen before becoming first jockey in 1993.
He joined Henry Cecil's stable as second jockey to Steve Cauthen before becoming first jockey in 1993.
His day in the sun came at Epsom in 1997 when he won the Derby on Benny The Dip.
His day in the sun came at Epsom in 1997 when he won the Derby on Benny The Dip.
In 2004 he was awarded the Flat Jockey Special Recognition at the Lester Awards ceremony. This was the year he retired.
In 2004 he was awarded the Flat Jockey Special Recognition at the Lester Awards ceremony. This was the year he retired.
Other big wins included 1996 Haydock Sprint Cup (Iktamal), 1993 Nassau Stakes (Lyphard's Delta), 1992 Prince of Wales's Stakes (Perpendicular) and 1993 Racing Post Trophy (King's Theatre).
Other big wins included 1996 Haydock Sprint Cup (Iktamal), 1993 Nassau Stakes (Lyphard's Delta), 1992 Prince of Wales's Stakes (Perpendicular) and 1993 Racing Post Trophy (King's Theatre).
Willie is a massive Arsenal fan, and is responsible for fellow jockey Frankie Dettori also becoming a fan. He took Frankie to watch Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0 in 1988 and consequently winning the title.
Willie is a massive Arsenal fan, and is responsible for fellow jockey Frankie Dettori also becoming a fan. He took Frankie to watch Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0 in 1988 and consequently winning the title.
Willie, on retirement, missed the camaraderie of the jockeys' room for a while, but was glad to see the back of all the travelling, which he hated.
Willie, on retirement, missed the camaraderie of the jockeys' room for a while, but was glad to see the back of all the travelling, which he hated.
He became a jockey's agent, with Daragh O'Dooghue and Patrick Hills on his books. Until going their separate ways, he also looked after Eddie Ahern, who was warned off in 2013.
He became a jockey's agent, with Daragh O'Dooghue and Patrick Hills on his books. Until going their separate ways, he also looked after Eddie Ahern, who was warned off in 2013.
Willie's taste in music runs to Matchbox20, Stiff Little Fingers and The Jam.
Willie's taste in music runs to Matchbox20, Stiff Little Fingers and The Jam.
He is also a keen water-skier.
He is also a keen water-skier.
Classic winner:
Classic winner:
Derby: Benny The Dip (1997)
Derby: Benny The Dip (1997)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1985: Horris Hill Stakes – Celtic Heir
1985: Horris Hill Stakes – Celtic Heir
1987: Ribblesdale Stakes – Queen Midas
1987: Ribblesdale Stakes – Queen Midas
1987: Bessborough Stakes – Primitive Rising
1987: Bessborough Stakes – Primitive Rising
1987: John Smith’s Magnet Cup – Wolsey (dead-heat)
1987: John Smith’s Magnet Cup – Wolsey (dead-heat)
1991: Cumberland Plate – Trojan Leader
1991: Cumberland Plate – Trojan Leader
1992: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – Perpendicular
1992: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – Perpendicular
1993: Jersey Stakes – Ardkinglass
1993: Jersey Stakes – Ardkinglass
1993: Racing Post Trophy – King’s Theatre
1993: Racing Post Trophy – King’s Theatre
1996: Norfolk Stakes – Tipsy Creek
1996: Norfolk Stakes – Tipsy Creek
1996: Haydock Sprint Cup – Iktamal
1996: Haydock Sprint Cup – Iktamal
2001: Hardwicke Stakes – Sandmason
2001: Hardwicke Stakes – Sandmason
In Italy:
In Italy:
1995: Gran Premio del Jockey Club Italiano – Court Of Honor
1995: Gran Premio del Jockey Club Italiano – Court Of Honor