Billy Speck
Billy Speck
Billy Speck
1903-1935
1903-1935
After a fall from Gwelo while riding in the first race at Cheltenham on Wednesday, April 10, 1935, Billy Speck was rushed to a nursing home where an examination revealed that he’d fractured his spine.
After a fall from Gwelo while riding in the first race at Cheltenham on Wednesday, April 10, 1935, Billy Speck was rushed to a nursing home where an examination revealed that he’d fractured his spine.
He died on Tuesday morning, April 16 at Cheltenham Hospital.
He died on Tuesday morning, April 16 at Cheltenham Hospital.
Among the best steeplechase jockeys of his era, he had finished runner-up in 1925/26 jockeys’ table with 58 winners, just one winner behind Ted Leader. He was also an unlucky jockey, finishing as runner-up on another five occasions.
Among the best steeplechase jockeys of his era, he had finished runner-up in 1925/26 jockeys’ table with 58 winners, just one winner behind Ted Leader. He was also an unlucky jockey, finishing as runner-up on another five occasions.
William James Speck was born in Lewes on August 18, 1903, the son of jockey George Speck (1870-1954). He had served his apprenticeship with Harry Escott, a former top National Hunt jockey and subsequently a successful trainer on the Flat with a stable at Lewes. He also learned his trade with Richard Wootton at Epsom and rode with success on the Flat before turning to jumps. He rode a total of 57 winners on the Flat between 1919 and 1924.
William James Speck was born in Lewes on August 18, 1903, the son of jockey George Speck (1870-1954). He had served his apprenticeship with Harry Escott, a former top National Hunt jockey and subsequently a successful trainer on the Flat with a stable at Lewes. He also learned his trade with Richard Wootton at Epsom and rode with success on the Flat before turning to jumps. He rode a total of 57 winners on the Flat between 1919 and 1924.
Billy first appeared on a racecourse at Newmarket on October 3, 1916 when partnering I’m The Guy, who finished unplaced in the Visitors Plate for apprentice jockeys. He was not seen again until 1919 when he began to make up for lost time.
Billy first appeared on a racecourse at Newmarket on October 3, 1916 when partnering I’m The Guy, who finished unplaced in the Visitors Plate for apprentice jockeys. He was not seen again until 1919 when he began to make up for lost time.
He rode his first winner on Muscovite in the Apprentices Plate at Epsom on April 30, 1919. There were six more winners that year, as well as a second-place finish in the Cesarewitch, when Golden Melody, trained by another accomplished former jump jockey Bob Gore, was beaten by Ivanhoe, the mount of Arthur ‘Snowy’ Whalley.
He rode his first winner on Muscovite in the Apprentices Plate at Epsom on April 30, 1919. There were six more winners that year, as well as a second-place finish in the Cesarewitch, when Golden Melody, trained by another accomplished former jump jockey Bob Gore, was beaten by Ivanhoe, the mount of Arthur ‘Snowy’ Whalley.
Although his most successful season was in 1920 with 25 wins, he also rode 18 in 1921.
Although his most successful season was in 1920 with 25 wins, he also rode 18 in 1921.
Rising weight dictated that Billy’s future lay over jumps. He managed just one win on the Flat in 1922 but broke his duck over jumps when riding Black Heart to land the Hoe Hurdle at Plymouth on September 6, 1922.
Rising weight dictated that Billy’s future lay over jumps. He managed just one win on the Flat in 1922 but broke his duck over jumps when riding Black Heart to land the Hoe Hurdle at Plymouth on September 6, 1922.
He failed to score on the Flat in 1923, but his final flourish in 1924 produced six victories, the last one being Crock Hill in the Moderate Welter Plate at Folkestone on August 12. His final ride on the Flat was at Wolverhampton on October 13, 1925 when his mount Moidore finished unplaced in the Shrewsbury Selling Plate.
He failed to score on the Flat in 1923, but his final flourish in 1924 produced six victories, the last one being Crock Hill in the Moderate Welter Plate at Folkestone on August 12. His final ride on the Flat was at Wolverhampton on October 13, 1925 when his mount Moidore finished unplaced in the Shrewsbury Selling Plate.
He plied his trade over jumps for 15 seasons, booting home some 700 winners. He rode conspicuously short but was strong and immensely difficult to dislodge from the saddle. He was associated with many great horses including Thomond II on whom he won the Becher Chase three years in succession, including on one occasion after he had lost an iron jumping Becher’s and the saddle had slipped. Undaunted, he pushed the saddle back and continued in the race almost bareback to win by half a length. He twice finished third on Thomond II in the Grand National.
He plied his trade over jumps for 15 seasons, booting home some 700 winners. He rode conspicuously short but was strong and immensely difficult to dislodge from the saddle. He was associated with many great horses including Thomond II on whom he won the Becher Chase three years in succession, including on one occasion after he had lost an iron jumping Becher’s and the saddle had slipped. Undaunted, he pushed the saddle back and continued in the race almost bareback to win by half a length. He twice finished third on Thomond II in the Grand National.
Billy on Thomond II and Gerry Wilson, riding Golden Miller, were involved in an epic battle for the 1935 Cheltenham Gold Cup in which Golden Miller just prevailed by three-quarters of a length.
Billy on Thomond II and Gerry Wilson, riding Golden Miller, were involved in an epic battle for the 1935 Cheltenham Gold Cup in which Golden Miller just prevailed by three-quarters of a length.
After the excitement had died down, Billy turned to Wilson and said: “Well done, mate! Here’s one thing, when we are old and grey and sitting back enjoying a drink, we can tell them how we did ride at least one great horse race one day in our lives.”
After the excitement had died down, Billy turned to Wilson and said: “Well done, mate! Here’s one thing, when we are old and grey and sitting back enjoying a drink, we can tell them how we did ride at least one great horse race one day in our lives.”
Tragically, he was never to enjoy that drink. Within a month he had died from the injuries suffered in that fall in a Cheltenham selling chase. He was 31.
Tragically, he was never to enjoy that drink. Within a month he had died from the injuries suffered in that fall in a Cheltenham selling chase. He was 31.
His funeral took place at 3.30 p.m. at Bishop’s Cleeve, near Cheltenham, on Friday, April 19, 1935. His saddle, whip and colours were buried with him.
His funeral took place at 3.30 p.m. at Bishop’s Cleeve, near Cheltenham, on Friday, April 19, 1935. His saddle, whip and colours were buried with him.
Cheltenham, his adopted town, turned out to honour him. His funeral procession was, supposedly, two miles long, such was his popularity. He was said to be “a very nice man, quite unspoiled by his success”.
Cheltenham, his adopted town, turned out to honour him. His funeral procession was, supposedly, two miles long, such was his popularity. He was said to be “a very nice man, quite unspoiled by his success”.
Billy left £19,047.
Billy left £19,047.
His son, Victor William Speck (1925-1989) was a successful National Hunt jockey and then trained near Melton Mowbray.
His son, Victor William Speck (1925-1989) was a successful National Hunt jockey and then trained near Melton Mowbray.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1927: Imperial Cup - Zeno
1927: Imperial Cup - Zeno
1932: Becher Chase - Thomond II
1932: Becher Chase - Thomond II
1933: Becher Chase - Thomond II
1933: Becher Chase - Thomond II
1934: Becher Chase - Thomond II
1934: Becher Chase - Thomond II
1934: Stanley Chase - Double Crossed
1934: Stanley Chase - Double Crossed
1934: Lancashire Chase - Avenger
1934: Lancashire Chase - Avenger
1935: Champion Chase - Double Crossed
1935: Champion Chase - Double Crossed
1935: Imperial Cup - Negro
1935: Imperial Cup - Negro
Additional information on Billy Speck’s Flat career provided by Alan Trout.
Additional information on Billy Speck’s Flat career provided by Alan Trout.
Billy Speck finishes second in the 1919 Cesarewitch
Billy Speck finishes second in the 1919 Cesarewitch
1935 Grand National
1935 Grand National
