Embedded Files
Bill Turner
Bill Turner
William George Michael Turner was born on August 10, 1947. He held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for just over ten years before turning his hand to training with notable success.
William George Michael Turner was born on August 10, 1947. He held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for just over ten years before turning his hand to training with notable success.
He was a conditional jockey – they were called novice riders in those days – for Lt-Col ‘Ricky’ Vallance at Bishops Cannings, near Devizes, Wiltshire, combining that with his role as head lad/assistant trainer. He rode four winners during his career, three of them coming courtesy of Vallance’s hurdler Ockey.
He was a conditional jockey – they were called novice riders in those days – for Lt-Col ‘Ricky’ Vallance at Bishops Cannings, near Devizes, Wiltshire, combining that with his role as head lad/assistant trainer. He rode four winners during his career, three of them coming courtesy of Vallance’s hurdler Ockey.
Ockey gave Bill the first of those four wins when landing a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle on March 2, 1968. Their second win together was achieved at Taunton a fortnight later.
Ockey gave Bill the first of those four wins when landing a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle on March 2, 1968. Their second win together was achieved at Taunton a fortnight later.
Bill was leading jockey for half an hour after winning the opening race of the 1968/69 season, the Newton Abbot Professional Novice Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on Hazy, who was also trained by Vallance. Sadly, that lead did not last long and he rode only one more winner – the last of his career – on Ockey in a Devon & Exeter handicap hurdle on May 14, 1969. He continued to hold a licence until the 1975/76 season but had no more success, his riding career being ended when breaking his leg in a fall at Newton Abbot.
Bill was leading jockey for half an hour after winning the opening race of the 1968/69 season, the Newton Abbot Professional Novice Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on Hazy, who was also trained by Vallance. Sadly, that lead did not last long and he rode only one more winner – the last of his career – on Ockey in a Devon & Exeter handicap hurdle on May 14, 1969. He continued to hold a licence until the 1975/76 season but had no more success, his riding career being ended when breaking his leg in a fall at Newton Abbot.
In 1979 he took out a trainer’s licence and went on to forge a successful career over a period spanning six decades. Based initially at Manningford Bruce, Wiltshire, where he also ran the local pub, he sent out his first winner, Nova Eldorado, in a selling hurdle at Fontwell Park on February 7, 1979. His first Flat victory followed a month later when 33/1 outsider Bazz’s Boy won at Leicester on March 26, ridden by Brian Rouse.
In 1979 he took out a trainer’s licence and went on to forge a successful career over a period spanning six decades. Based initially at Manningford Bruce, Wiltshire, where he also ran the local pub, he sent out his first winner, Nova Eldorado, in a selling hurdle at Fontwell Park on February 7, 1979. His first Flat victory followed a month later when 33/1 outsider Bazz’s Boy won at Leicester on March 26, ridden by Brian Rouse.
Having trained at Verrington Stables, Wincanton from 1981-83, and Red House Farm, Hindon, Wiltshire 1983-85, before eventually settling at Sigwells Farm, Corton Denham, near Sherborne. There he acquired a reputation as a trainer of early season two-year-olds, having them ready to run on the opening day of the season. No surprise, then, that he has gained his biggest successes in Doncaster’s Brocklesby Stakes, winning the race six times with Indian Spark (1996), The Lord (2002), Spoof Master (2006), Sally’s Dilemma (2008), He’s So Cool (2011) and Mick’s Yer Man (2013). Mick’s Yer Man, who was partnered by the trainer’s grandson, Ryan While, went on to gain Listed honours in the 2014 Pavilion Stakes at Ascot.
Having trained at Verrington Stables, Wincanton from 1981-83, and Red House Farm, Hindon, Wiltshire 1983-85, before eventually settling at Sigwells Farm, Corton Denham, near Sherborne. There he acquired a reputation as a trainer of early season two-year-olds, having them ready to run on the opening day of the season. No surprise, then, that he has gained his biggest successes in Doncaster’s Brocklesby Stakes, winning the race six times with Indian Spark (1996), The Lord (2002), Spoof Master (2006), Sally’s Dilemma (2008), He’s So Cool (2011) and Mick’s Yer Man (2013). Mick’s Yer Man, who was partnered by the trainer’s grandson, Ryan While, went on to gain Listed honours in the 2014 Pavilion Stakes at Ascot.
Of that sextet, The Lord was the most durable, going on to win eight races altogether including Chester’s Lily Agnes Stakes, the Musselburgh Sprint in 2005, and the Listed Achilles Stakes at Goodwood in 2006.
Of that sextet, The Lord was the most durable, going on to win eight races altogether including Chester’s Lily Agnes Stakes, the Musselburgh Sprint in 2005, and the Listed Achilles Stakes at Goodwood in 2006.
Other good horses Bill has trained include Fangio, Nazzaro, Drum Battle, Ede’iff, Lady Filly, Westbrook Blue and Yours By Right, the latter winning the 1992 Golden Gates Nursery at Ascot.
Other good horses Bill has trained include Fangio, Nazzaro, Drum Battle, Ede’iff, Lady Filly, Westbrook Blue and Yours By Right, the latter winning the 1992 Golden Gates Nursery at Ascot.
His most successful seasons numerically were 29 on the Flat in 2012, 16 over jumps in 1994/95.
His most successful seasons numerically were 29 on the Flat in 2012, 16 over jumps in 1994/95.
Alongside his training exploits, Bill garnered wider fame in 2009 when he bought a zebra for £1,500 before breaking him in and riding him around his local village. He also played extra roles in films, including the 1990 production King of the Wind.
Alongside his training exploits, Bill garnered wider fame in 2009 when he bought a zebra for £1,500 before breaking him in and riding him around his local village. He also played extra roles in films, including the 1990 production King of the Wind.
He saddled what proved to be his last winner, Spuddling, at Windsor on June 16, 2025.
He saddled what proved to be his last winner, Spuddling, at Windsor on June 16, 2025.
Bill Turner died on Thursday, August 14, 2025, aged 78, following an accident three days earlier in which he sustained a serious fracture to his skull, having been knocked over by a horse at his stable, the day after his birthday.
Bill Turner died on Thursday, August 14, 2025, aged 78, following an accident three days earlier in which he sustained a serious fracture to his skull, having been knocked over by a horse at his stable, the day after his birthday.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse