William Smith
1890 - 1947
1890 - 1947
The Grand National of 1914 was all about pace, a near-suicidal one set by young jockey Bill Smith.
The Grand National of 1914 was all about pace, a near-suicidal one set by young jockey Bill Smith.
Riding the bottom weight Sunloch, Bill was 15 lengths clear and jumping the fences like a natural. By Becher's, the lead had increased to 20 lengths.
Riding the bottom weight Sunloch, Bill was 15 lengths clear and jumping the fences like a natural. By Becher's, the lead had increased to 20 lengths.
The jockeys riding his closest pursuers - Charles Hawkins on the grey Trianon lll and Frenchman Alec Carter on Lutteur ll - were convinced that the front-runner would come back to them.
The jockeys riding his closest pursuers - Charles Hawkins on the grey Trianon lll and Frenchman Alec Carter on Lutteur ll - were convinced that the front-runner would come back to them.
By Valentine's, Billy had Sunloch some 40 lengths clear: jockeys behind were suddenly galvanised into action as they realised that the tearaway in front was not stopping.
By Valentine's, Billy had Sunloch some 40 lengths clear: jockeys behind were suddenly galvanised into action as they realised that the tearaway in front was not stopping.
Too late.
Too late.
In spite of hitting the last hard, the combination survived to race home the 8 length winners.
In spite of hitting the last hard, the combination survived to race home the 8 length winners.
He was desperately unlucky in the substitute National run at Gatwick in 1917.
He was desperately unlucky in the substitute National run at Gatwick in 1917.
Well clear on the run-in on Limerock, his horse collapsed just yards from the winning post, having slipped on a patch made treacherous by recent snowfall.
Well clear on the run-in on Limerock, his horse collapsed just yards from the winning post, having slipped on a patch made treacherous by recent snowfall.
It was a precursor of Devon Loch's fall many years later.
It was a precursor of Devon Loch's fall many years later.
Alec Carter, who finished third behind Sunloch on Lutteur lll, was killed just 9 months later, riding at the head of his regiment at the front.
Alec Carter, who finished third behind Sunloch on Lutteur lll, was killed just 9 months later, riding at the head of his regiment at the front.
Bill Smith, born March 23, 1890, died at Cheltenham on March 23, 1947, - his birthday - aged 57.
Bill Smith, born March 23, 1890, died at Cheltenham on March 23, 1947, - his birthday - aged 57.
Sunloch had started out as a hunter. Tom Tyler, a Leicester yeoman, bought the horse for £300 and, shortly before the National put on it sale for £1.035. Tyler was offered just £1,000 but refused saying it was £1,035 or nothing. Sunloch then promptly won the National for Tyler. The man whose offer had been refused backed the horse that followed Sunloch home.
Sunloch had started out as a hunter. Tom Tyler, a Leicester yeoman, bought the horse for £300 and, shortly before the National put on it sale for £1.035. Tyler was offered just £1,000 but refused saying it was £1,035 or nothing. Sunloch then promptly won the National for Tyler. The man whose offer had been refused backed the horse that followed Sunloch home.
Tyler knew he'd been lucky to win with Sunloch as the horse was a 'whistler' (gone in the wind). He immediately sold it after the race. Sunloch never again ran up to its National form again.
Tyler knew he'd been lucky to win with Sunloch as the horse was a 'whistler' (gone in the wind). He immediately sold it after the race. Sunloch never again ran up to its National form again.