William Scott
William Harvey Scott
William Harvey Scott
c1826-1885
c1826-1885
Thirsk-born steeplechase jockey William Harvey Scott had the misfortune to finish second in two consecutive Grand Nationals.
Thirsk-born steeplechase jockey William Harvey Scott had the misfortune to finish second in two consecutive Grand Nationals.
In 1843 he came second on 10-1 chance Nimrod, three lengths behind Vanguard, the mount of Tom Olliver. The pair were level jumping the final flight of hurdles – hurdles were part of the run-in in those days – but Vanguard drew clear in the closing stages to land the spoils.
In 1843 he came second on 10-1 chance Nimrod, three lengths behind Vanguard, the mount of Tom Olliver. The pair were level jumping the final flight of hurdles – hurdles were part of the run-in in those days – but Vanguard drew clear in the closing stages to land the spoils.
In 1844 he rode William Sterling Crawford’s horse The Returned, who led over the first five fences until headed by the hard-pulling Tom Tug. Along with Marengo, Lather and Discount, The Returned followed Tom Tug out on to the second circuit. Little could be seen of the action due to the torrential rain that fell and it wasn’t until the runners reappeared on the ‘racecourse proper’ that the crowd could make out The Retuned and Lather in front of Tom Tug, Caesar and Discount. But then John Crickmere brought Discount with a well-timed challenge approaching the last flight of hurdles and quickened clear to score by 20 lengths from The Returned, with Tom Tug a length further back in third.
In 1844 he rode William Sterling Crawford’s horse The Returned, who led over the first five fences until headed by the hard-pulling Tom Tug. Along with Marengo, Lather and Discount, The Returned followed Tom Tug out on to the second circuit. Little could be seen of the action due to the torrential rain that fell and it wasn’t until the runners reappeared on the ‘racecourse proper’ that the crowd could make out The Retuned and Lather in front of Tom Tug, Caesar and Discount. But then John Crickmere brought Discount with a well-timed challenge approaching the last flight of hurdles and quickened clear to score by 20 lengths from The Returned, with Tom Tug a length further back in third.
William only rode in one more Grand National, when failing to finish on Sir Peter Laurie in 1851.
William only rode in one more Grand National, when failing to finish on Sir Peter Laurie in 1851.
He later took up training and met with some success, his major victories including the 1868 Ebor Handicap with Fair Wind and the 1871 Chester Cup with Glenlivat (who he also owned).
He later took up training and met with some success, his major victories including the 1868 Ebor Handicap with Fair Wind and the 1871 Chester Cup with Glenlivat (who he also owned).
Despite those big race triumphs, William was in a poor financial state when he died at Newmarket on September 1st, 1885, aged 69.
Despite those big race triumphs, William was in a poor financial state when he died at Newmarket on September 1st, 1885, aged 69.
