Billy Smallwood

Billy Smallwood

1892-1952

Probably better remembered as a trainer, William Henry (Billy) Smallwood rode over jumps for 16 years and amassed 25 winners, with a best score of five in both 1910 and 1912. 

Born in 1892, he had his first ride at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 1, 1907, when he finished fourth in the Maiden Chase on Bonny Boy but was subsequently promoted to third after the winner, Box Of Tricks, was disqualified on a technicality. 

Ten days later he had his first win when Arnold landed the Grimsby Selling Chase at the South Wold Hunt meeting at Louth. Of the four starters, only two finished, and the 13-year-old Arnold, who had run his first race in 1898, beat Father Gapon by ten lengths. 

The Lincolnshire market town of Louth had held its first steeplechase way back in 1836, coming about as a result of a decision to hold a private match race, which was subsequently opened up to other horses and riders, seven eventually taking part. 

The first meeting called the Louth and South Wold Steeplechases took place in 1838, beginning an association that would last over 70 years. At one time, Louth was regarded second only to Brocklesby in status for steeplechasing in Lincolnshire. From 1892 to 1896 there were two separate meetings, one under the name of ‘South Wold Hunt’ at Horncastle in March, the other simply called ‘Louth Hunt’ at Louth in April. 

The final South Wold National Hunt fixture at Louth took place on April 1, 1909, two years after Billy had registered his first win there. It was not until March 1910, a year after racing at Louth had ceased, that he recorded his second win. 

He did not ride in any big races but he did have a double at Market Rasen on Easter Monday 1914, as well as winning four races on the selling chaser Shawn Aboo. His last win came at Wetherby on October 26, 1921, when Chilwell took the Bickerton Hurdle by a length. Almost a year later, he had his final ride when Be There was unplaced in the Windlestone Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on October 11, 122.

He began training under both codes soon afterwards, based at Swinton, near the old Rotherham racecourse, and went on to record his biggest victory with 100-1 outsider Jockey Treble in the 1947 Lincolnshire Handicap, ridden by an up-and-coming apprentice named Manny Mercer. He continued training until his death in 1952.

Billy Smallwood’s winners were, in chronological order.

1. Arnold, South Wold Hunt (Louth), April 11, 1907

2. Sanguinetti, Wetherby, March 29, 1910

3. Chuckle, Brocklesby Hunt, April 13, 1910

4. The Winning Post, Uttoxeter, May 23, 1910

5. Maranoa, Catterick Bridge, December 26, 1910

6. Borough, Wolverhampton, December 27, 1910

7. Shaun Aboo, Wetherby, June 5, 1911

8. Nimrod VI, Hooton Park, August 7, 1911

9. Nimrod VI, Perth, October 5, 1911

10. Purdysburn, Birmingham, November 28, 1911

11. Shau Aboo, Haydock Park, January 6, 1912

12. Shaun Aboo, Manchester, January 23, 1912

13. Byfleet, Hexham, May 27, 1912

14. Borough Marsh, Hooton Park, August 5, 1912

15. Borough Marsh, Haydock Park, December 17, 1912

16. Shaun Aboo, Haydock Park, January 4, 1913

17. Ferule, Market Rasen, April 13, 1914

18. Electron, Market Rasen, April 13, 1914

19. Electron, Market Rasen, April 5, 1915

20. Electron, Southwell, May 13, 1915

21. Gleneffy, Southwell, September 18, 1920

22. Chilwell, Sedgefield, October 13, 1920

23. Lucentio, Leicester, February 28, 1921

24. Coriopsis, Sedgefield, March 22, 1921

25. Chilwell, Wetherby, October 26, 1921