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William Turner
William Turner
1879-1939
1879-1939
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Despite having a licence to ride on the Flat for several years at the start of the 20th century, William George Turner’s sole success came over jumps in 1910.
Despite having a licence to ride on the Flat for several years at the start of the 20th century, William George Turner’s sole success came over jumps in 1910.
Born in 1879, he had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Newbury on February 18, 1910, when the five-year-old mare Aunt Maude was well beaten in the Everleigh Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Born in 1879, he had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Newbury on February 18, 1910, when the five-year-old mare Aunt Maude was well beaten in the Everleigh Selling Handicap Hurdle.
However, after two more unplaced efforts the pair had better fortune at Hurst Park on March 12 when winning the Priory Selling Handicap Hurdle. It looked likely that the favourite Skevening would score, but as the Sporting Life noted, “Turner never left off riding Aunt Maude who needed a lot of driving” and eventually prevailed by a neck.
However, after two more unplaced efforts the pair had better fortune at Hurst Park on March 12 when winning the Priory Selling Handicap Hurdle. It looked likely that the favourite Skevening would score, but as the Sporting Life noted, “Turner never left off riding Aunt Maude who needed a lot of driving” and eventually prevailed by a neck.
The pair had one more race together when last of three at Hawthorn Hill two days later. Aunt Maude did not run again after that.
The pair had one more race together when last of three at Hawthorn Hill two days later. Aunt Maude did not run again after that.
William had his final ride when finishing second on Platonic in the Southampton Handicap Hurdle at Portsmouth Park on April 16, 1910, beaten a length by Spink Walkington on Potheen.
William had his final ride when finishing second on Platonic in the Southampton Handicap Hurdle at Portsmouth Park on April 16, 1910, beaten a length by Spink Walkington on Potheen.
William Turner, whose brief career over jumps lasted barely two months, died on June 1, 1939, aged 60.
William Turner, whose brief career over jumps lasted barely two months, died on June 1, 1939, aged 60.
Aunt Maud: William Turner's only winner, Hurst Park, March 12
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