William Trocke
William Trocke, who rode for forty years, was one of the best Irish riders.
William Trocke, who rode for forty years, was one of the best Irish riders.
He rode winners at all the principal meetings - Punchestown, Fairyhouse, Baldoyle, Cork Park and Galway - twice winning the Drogheda Cup. He also rode the winners of the Conyngham Cup, United Service Plate, Bishopcourt Plate, Kildare Hunt Cup, Kildare Hunt Plate and the Prince of Wales's Plate.
He rode winners at all the principal meetings - Punchestown, Fairyhouse, Baldoyle, Cork Park and Galway - twice winning the Drogheda Cup. He also rode the winners of the Conyngham Cup, United Service Plate, Bishopcourt Plate, Kildare Hunt Cup, Kildare Hunt Plate and the Prince of Wales's Plate.
Riding his own horse, Gamecock, he jumped thirty-three feet over the last fence in the Military Plate at Newbridge in 1876. This distance was verified by two people, quite independent of each other.
Riding his own horse, Gamecock, he jumped thirty-three feet over the last fence in the Military Plate at Newbridge in 1876. This distance was verified by two people, quite independent of each other.
Other good horses he owned and rode were Flag of Truce, winner of twelve races and Brown Betty, winner of seven races.
Other good horses he owned and rode were Flag of Truce, winner of twelve races and Brown Betty, winner of seven races.
He won nine consecutive races in 1881 - 82 on Lady Wolseley, which met with an accident whilst training for the Liverpool Grand National which necessitated here being put to stud
He won nine consecutive races in 1881 - 82 on Lady Wolseley, which met with an accident whilst training for the Liverpool Grand National which necessitated here being put to stud
His last winner was The Countess, on which he won seven races.
His last winner was The Countess, on which he won seven races.
William had been taught to ride by John Hubert Moore, father of Grand National-winning jockey Garrett Moore, who trained close by (in Mount Ormond, Tipperary). William rode Moore's horses in all their gallops and was rewarded with his first ride in 1854. He won his first race the following year riding his own mare, Jenny Lind, on which he later won several good races.
William had been taught to ride by John Hubert Moore, father of Grand National-winning jockey Garrett Moore, who trained close by (in Mount Ormond, Tipperary). William rode Moore's horses in all their gallops and was rewarded with his first ride in 1854. He won his first race the following year riding his own mare, Jenny Lind, on which he later won several good races.
He joined the 35th Royal Sussex Regiment in 1858: whilst stationed in India with them he got a small stud up together and often rode in the Punjab and Oudh until returning home in 1866. Just before leaving, he won every race at the Mooltan Steeplechase Meeting, except one, in which he was beaten a head.
He joined the 35th Royal Sussex Regiment in 1858: whilst stationed in India with them he got a small stud up together and often rode in the Punjab and Oudh until returning home in 1866. Just before leaving, he won every race at the Mooltan Steeplechase Meeting, except one, in which he was beaten a head.
He left the service in 1870 and, living at Hillbrook, Parsonstown, continued to ride in public until 1894, when his health gave out.
He left the service in 1870 and, living at Hillbrook, Parsonstown, continued to ride in public until 1894, when his health gave out.