William Sharpe
c1831-1862
c1831-1862
William Sharpe was born in Manchester circa 1831. He spent most of his riding career with the Wadlow family based at Stanton, near Shifnal. Henry Wadlow held the trainer’s licence at that time, but it was his nephew, Tom Wadlow, who subsequently transformed the stables into one of the country’s leading yards, sending out Sir Hugo to win the 1892 Derby.
William Sharpe was born in Manchester circa 1831. He spent most of his riding career with the Wadlow family based at Stanton, near Shifnal. Henry Wadlow held the trainer’s licence at that time, but it was his nephew, Tom Wadlow, who subsequently transformed the stables into one of the country’s leading yards, sending out Sir Hugo to win the 1892 Derby.
William rode his fair share of winners including four at what would prove to be the final meeting held at Sutton Park’s Holly Knoll Racecourse on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th June 1850. On the first day he rode Wild Rose to win the Birmingham Stakes, for which he was presented with a gold-mounted whip, value six guineas.
William rode his fair share of winners including four at what would prove to be the final meeting held at Sutton Park’s Holly Knoll Racecourse on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th June 1850. On the first day he rode Wild Rose to win the Birmingham Stakes, for which he was presented with a gold-mounted whip, value six guineas.
On the second day of the meeting he registered a hat-trick, winning the Sutton Park Stakes on Shilamalia, the Wyndley Pool Stakes on Keleshea, and the Edgbaston Plate on Imperial. He collected a silver-mounted whip for winning the Wyndley Pool Stakes. He recorded his biggest success in the 1851 Chesterfield Cup on Miss Ann.
On the second day of the meeting he registered a hat-trick, winning the Sutton Park Stakes on Shilamalia, the Wyndley Pool Stakes on Keleshea, and the Edgbaston Plate on Imperial. He collected a silver-mounted whip for winning the Wyndley Pool Stakes. He recorded his biggest success in the 1851 Chesterfield Cup on Miss Ann.
He married the daughter of a Shropshire blacksmith in 1855. When he retired from the saddle he attempted to set up as a trainer but had little chance to get going.
He married the daughter of a Shropshire blacksmith in 1855. When he retired from the saddle he attempted to set up as a trainer but had little chance to get going.
William died of a “lingering illness” – a common euphemism for consumption – in the Shropshire village of Beckbury on June 2, 1862.
William died of a “lingering illness” – a common euphemism for consumption – in the Shropshire village of Beckbury on June 2, 1862.
