William Saxby
1887 - 1922
1887 - 1922
Born in Bolarum, India, on September 24, 1887, keen golfer William Saxby was aboard Craganour when that good horse ran second in the 1913 2,000 Guineas. A myth abounded that the horse had actually won in a desperate finish and that the judge had called the wrong result. In truth, Saxby had ridden an over-confident race and began pulling up too early. This allowed Mr Walter Raphael’s Louvois (Lester Reiff) to get up by a short head.
Born in Bolarum, India, on September 24, 1887, keen golfer William Saxby was aboard Craganour when that good horse ran second in the 1913 2,000 Guineas. A myth abounded that the horse had actually won in a desperate finish and that the judge had called the wrong result. In truth, Saxby had ridden an over-confident race and began pulling up too early. This allowed Mr Walter Raphael’s Louvois (Lester Reiff) to get up by a short head.
For the 1913 Derby, Saxby was replaced on Craganour by John Reiff, who won – only to be disqualified. Once again a myth arose – Craganour was owned by Charles Bower Ismay, the younger brother of J.Bruce Ismay, president of the company which built the Titanic and who had saved his own skin by forcefully taking a place in a lifeboat ahead of some women and children. ‘The English racing establishment…’ ran the myth… ‘would never let a horse owned by Ismay win the hallowed Derby…’ Whatever the truth, the 100/1 shot Aboyeur was awarded the race, with Saxby’s mount Louvois being promoted to the runner-up spot.
For the 1913 Derby, Saxby was replaced on Craganour by John Reiff, who won – only to be disqualified. Once again a myth arose – Craganour was owned by Charles Bower Ismay, the younger brother of J.Bruce Ismay, president of the company which built the Titanic and who had saved his own skin by forcefully taking a place in a lifeboat ahead of some women and children. ‘The English racing establishment…’ ran the myth… ‘would never let a horse owned by Ismay win the hallowed Derby…’ Whatever the truth, the 100/1 shot Aboyeur was awarded the race, with Saxby’s mount Louvois being promoted to the runner-up spot.
Saxby was never to win a Classic but did win the 1911 Ebor (Pillo) and both the Dewhurst and Gimcrack Stakes in 1912. Prince Palatine was his main success in 1913 winning both the Ascot Gold Cup and the Coronation Cup. Whether or not Saxby would have won the Gold Cup is debatable - Albert Whalley, riding Tracery, always insisted that he would have won had it not been brought down by a fanatic waving two flags and a pistol.
Saxby was never to win a Classic but did win the 1911 Ebor (Pillo) and both the Dewhurst and Gimcrack Stakes in 1912. Prince Palatine was his main success in 1913 winning both the Ascot Gold Cup and the Coronation Cup. Whether or not Saxby would have won the Gold Cup is debatable - Albert Whalley, riding Tracery, always insisted that he would have won had it not been brought down by a fanatic waving two flags and a pistol.
Other notable wins came on Imari (Chester Cup), Wild Lad (Liverpool Autumn Cup), Spate (Manchester November Handicap), Cargill (Manchester Cup), and White Eagle (City and Suburban). He also won the 1913 Ascot Stakes on Rivoli.
Other notable wins came on Imari (Chester Cup), Wild Lad (Liverpool Autumn Cup), Spate (Manchester November Handicap), Cargill (Manchester Cup), and White Eagle (City and Suburban). He also won the 1913 Ascot Stakes on Rivoli.
During the war he held a commission, first in the cavalry regiment and then in the Royal Artillery. He was once reported to have been killed in action.
During the war he held a commission, first in the cavalry regiment and then in the Royal Artillery. He was once reported to have been killed in action.
Saxby served his apprenticeship with S. Pickering at Newmarket and gained his first notable success on Captain Bewicke’s Wild Lad in the Liverpool Autumn Cup of 1904. The following year he won the Chester Cup on Imari and the Northumberland Plate on Prince Florizel.
Saxby served his apprenticeship with S. Pickering at Newmarket and gained his first notable success on Captain Bewicke’s Wild Lad in the Liverpool Autumn Cup of 1904. The following year he won the Chester Cup on Imari and the Northumberland Plate on Prince Florizel.
Saxby eventually took over from Bernard Dillon as first jockey at Clarehaven, P P Gilpin’s Newmarket stable.
Saxby eventually took over from Bernard Dillon as first jockey at Clarehaven, P P Gilpin’s Newmarket stable.
He died of consumption at his home in Bedford March 13, 1922.
He died of consumption at his home in Bedford March 13, 1922.