Willie Supple
Born in Tralee on June 8, 1968, William Joseph Supple was apprenticed to Jim Bolger in Ireland.
Born in Tralee on June 8, 1968, William Joseph Supple was apprenticed to Jim Bolger in Ireland.
His first winner came at Gowran Park in 1968 on Peak Squaw.
His first winner came at Gowran Park in 1968 on Peak Squaw.
Willie became champion apprentice in 1991 before moving to England in 1998 where he had considerable success before returning to Ireland in 2006.
Willie became champion apprentice in 1991 before moving to England in 1998 where he had considerable success before returning to Ireland in 2006.
He retired in 2012 after a career that spanned more than 25 years.
He retired in 2012 after a career that spanned more than 25 years.
His three brothers, Robert, Gerry and John, also rode winners as jockeys, mainly over the jumps.
His three brothers, Robert, Gerry and John, also rode winners as jockeys, mainly over the jumps.
Willie won the 1996 Coventry Stakes on Verglas, the 2003 Wokingham Stakes on Fayr Jag and the 1999 Lockinge Stake on Fly To The Stars.
Willie won the 1996 Coventry Stakes on Verglas, the 2003 Wokingham Stakes on Fayr Jag and the 1999 Lockinge Stake on Fly To The Stars.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1998: Cumberland Plate – Warning Reef
1998: Cumberland Plate – Warning Reef
1999: Lockinge Stakes – Fly To The Stars
1999: Lockinge Stakes – Fly To The Stars
1996: Coventry Stakes – Verglas
1996: Coventry Stakes – Verglas
2003: Cheshire Oaks – Hammiya
2003: Cheshire Oaks – Hammiya
2003: Zetland Gold Cup – Hazim
2003: Zetland Gold Cup – Hazim
2003: Wokingham Stakes – Fayr Jag (dead-heat)
2003: Wokingham Stakes – Fayr Jag (dead-heat)
2004: Golden Jubilee Stakes – Fayr Jag
2004: Golden Jubilee Stakes – Fayr Jag
2005: Ribblesdale Stakes – Thakafaat
2005: Ribblesdale Stakes – Thakafaat
2005: Hardwicke Stakes – Bandari
2005: Hardwicke Stakes – Bandari
In Ireland
In Ireland
1993: Tetrarch Stakes – College Chapel
1993: Tetrarch Stakes – College Chapel
In Dubai
In Dubai
1998: Golden Shaheen – Mudallel
1998: Golden Shaheen – Mudallel
Article courtesy Chas Hammond
Article courtesy Chas Hammond