Willie Stephenson
1911 - 1998
1911 - 1998
Born on October 9, 1911, William, son of Henry, was brought up in Leasingthorne, Co Durham, against a background of hunting and farming. Henry bred and rode steeplechasers; William soon became involved and, impressing with his riding whilst out hunting, he was sent to Newmarket to be apprenticed to Major William Beatty at Phantom House.
Born on October 9, 1911, William, son of Henry, was brought up in Leasingthorne, Co Durham, against a background of hunting and farming. Henry bred and rode steeplechasers; William soon became involved and, impressing with his riding whilst out hunting, he was sent to Newmarket to be apprenticed to Major William Beatty at Phantom House.
William, despite being exceptionally tall for a jockey and having a constant struggle with his weight, nonetheless enjoyed a riding career that lasted for twenty years.
William, despite being exceptionally tall for a jockey and having a constant struggle with his weight, nonetheless enjoyed a riding career that lasted for twenty years.
His big race wins included a dead-heat in the 1927 Cambridgeshire on Niantic, the 1929 Yorkshire Cup on Consul and the Manchester November Handicap on Promptitude.
His big race wins included a dead-heat in the 1927 Cambridgeshire on Niantic, the 1929 Yorkshire Cup on Consul and the Manchester November Handicap on Promptitude.
He was a much sought-after trial jockey, working for Captain Boyd-Rochfort who greatly respected William's intelligence and judgement.
He was a much sought-after trial jockey, working for Captain Boyd-Rochfort who greatly respected William's intelligence and judgement.
William retired from the saddle in 1945 and, the next year, began training, a profession in which he would prove outstanding. Among those to pass through his hands were 3-times Champion Hurdle winner Sir Ken, whom William had spotted and bought for £1,000 whilst on holiday in Paris, the 1950 Derby winner Arctic Prince and Grand National winner Oxo.
William retired from the saddle in 1945 and, the next year, began training, a profession in which he would prove outstanding. Among those to pass through his hands were 3-times Champion Hurdle winner Sir Ken, whom William had spotted and bought for £1,000 whilst on holiday in Paris, the 1950 Derby winner Arctic Prince and Grand National winner Oxo.
He gave up training in 1980.
He gave up training in 1980.
William had married in 1940. His wife, Barbara 'Bobbie' Nicholson, gave him five daughters.
William had married in 1940. His wife, Barbara 'Bobbie' Nicholson, gave him five daughters.
William died in Cambridge on November 29, 1988, aged 77. He left £252,494
William died in Cambridge on November 29, 1988, aged 77. He left £252,494