William Taylor
c1870-1950
c1870-1950
National Hunt jockey William Taylor was apprenticed to James Jewett. He had his first ride under NH rules on a horse named Tweedale, who refused in the Sands Hunters’ Plate at Sedgefield on March 17, 1891.
National Hunt jockey William Taylor was apprenticed to James Jewett. He had his first ride under NH rules on a horse named Tweedale, who refused in the Sands Hunters’ Plate at Sedgefield on March 17, 1891.
He rode 134 winners over jumps, the first of which was achieved on Warren Hastings in the Manchester Handicap Chase on February 26, 1892. The following year, Warren Hastings provided William with the most important victory of his career when winning the 1893 Valentine Chase at Aintree.
He rode 134 winners over jumps, the first of which was achieved on Warren Hastings in the Manchester Handicap Chase on February 26, 1892. The following year, Warren Hastings provided William with the most important victory of his career when winning the 1893 Valentine Chase at Aintree.
William had a good record over the Grand National fences. He also won the Aintree Hunt Chase in 1893 on Shotaway, the Stanley Five-Year-Old Chase in 1896 on Red Cross, and the Abbeystead Four-Year-Old Chase in 1897 on Crystal Palace. He twice finished third in the Grand Sefton Chase, in 1892 on Warren Hastings and in 1899 on Easter Ogue.
William had a good record over the Grand National fences. He also won the Aintree Hunt Chase in 1893 on Shotaway, the Stanley Five-Year-Old Chase in 1896 on Red Cross, and the Abbeystead Four-Year-Old Chase in 1897 on Crystal Palace. He twice finished third in the Grand Sefton Chase, in 1892 on Warren Hastings and in 1899 on Easter Ogue.
He had his most successful year in 1899 with 38 winners, placing him third in the NH jockeys’ table. His wins that year included the Liverpool Trial Chase at Sandown on Faversham. He finished third in that year’s Liverpool Hurdle on Delvin.
He had his most successful year in 1899 with 38 winners, placing him third in the NH jockeys’ table. His wins that year included the Liverpool Trial Chase at Sandown on Faversham. He finished third in that year’s Liverpool Hurdle on Delvin.
He rode in a total of six Grand Nationals, completing the course in three of them, his best performance being when finishing third on Gauntlet in 1898. Two of his mounts started favourite, Gentle Ida in 1899 and John M.P. in 1906.
He rode in a total of six Grand Nationals, completing the course in three of them, his best performance being when finishing third on Gauntlet in 1898. Two of his mounts started favourite, Gentle Ida in 1899 and John M.P. in 1906.
Gentle Ida had won her three previous races but fell at Valentine’s on the first circuit. The following month, William rode her to finish second in the Lancashire Chase.
Gentle Ida had won her three previous races but fell at Valentine’s on the first circuit. The following month, William rode her to finish second in the Lancashire Chase.
John M.P. had won his previous five races, the last four with William on board, including the Coventry Chase at Kempton in February and the Liverpool Trial Chase at Sandown in March. However, he too found Aintree’s fences beyond him. Horse and rider evidently suffered no ill effects as they turned out again the following day to finish fifth in the Champion Chase.
John M.P. had won his previous five races, the last four with William on board, including the Coventry Chase at Kempton in February and the Liverpool Trial Chase at Sandown in March. However, he too found Aintree’s fences beyond him. Horse and rider evidently suffered no ill effects as they turned out again the following day to finish fifth in the Champion Chase.
William’s six Grand National mounts were:
William’s six Grand National mounts were:
1894: Schooner (25-1), eighth (last):
1894: Schooner (25-1), eighth (last):
1895: Molly Maguire (25-1), eleventh (last)
1895: Molly Maguire (25-1), eleventh (last)
1897: West Meath (100-1), fell
1897: West Meath (100-1), fell
1898: Gauntlet (100-12), third
1898: Gauntlet (100-12), third
1899: Gentle Ida (4-1 favourite), fell 9th
1899: Gentle Ida (4-1 favourite), fell 9th
1906: John M.P. (7-2 favourite), fell
1906: John M.P. (7-2 favourite), fell
He rode his last two winners at Warwick on February 26, 1908, landing the first two races on the card, the Budbrooke Hurdle on Oxward and the Avon Selling Handicap Hurdle on Port Ellen. The following day, again at Warwick, his career came to an end when falling on Misty Light in the Barford Handicap Chase.
He rode his last two winners at Warwick on February 26, 1908, landing the first two races on the card, the Budbrooke Hurdle on Oxward and the Avon Selling Handicap Hurdle on Port Ellen. The following day, again at Warwick, his career came to an end when falling on Misty Light in the Barford Handicap Chase.
William Taylor died at Bishops Waltham on October 17, 1950, aged 79. He left £11,332.
William Taylor died at Bishops Waltham on October 17, 1950, aged 79. He left £11,332.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1893: Aintree Hunt Chase – Shotaway
1893: Aintree Hunt Chase – Shotaway
1893: Valentine Chase – Warren Hastings
1893: Valentine Chase – Warren Hastings
1896: Stanley Five-Year-Old Chase – Red Cross
1896: Stanley Five-Year-Old Chase – Red Cross
1897: Abbeystead Four-Year-Old Chase – Crystal Palace
1897: Abbeystead Four-Year-Old Chase – Crystal Palace
1899: Liverpool Trial Chase (Sandown) – Faversham
1899: Liverpool Trial Chase (Sandown) – Faversham
1906: Coventry Chase – John M.P.
1906: Coventry Chase – John M.P.
1906: Liverpool Trial Chase (Sandown) – John M.P.
1906: Liverpool Trial Chase (Sandown) – John M.P.