Michael Villiers
1941-1996
1941-1996
Michael Alexander Villiers was born on January 25, 1941, the son of Captain Robert Alexander Villiers and his wife Elizabeth. He was educated at Eton and then at Royal Military College Sandhurst and served with the 11th Hussars. He became a Captain in the regiment and then attained the rank of Major in 1975. His racing colours were cerise, royal blue cap with cerise spots.
Michael Alexander Villiers was born on January 25, 1941, the son of Captain Robert Alexander Villiers and his wife Elizabeth. He was educated at Eton and then at Royal Military College Sandhurst and served with the 11th Hussars. He became a Captain in the regiment and then attained the rank of Major in 1975. His racing colours were cerise, royal blue cap with cerise spots.
He claimed a notable scalp when riding his first winner under National Hunt rules, on Samarian, trained by Ted Long, in the Effingham Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on December 13, 1963. Having been waited with and brought with a challenge at the last flight, Samarian took the lead in the last 50 yards from reigning champion jockey Josh Gifford’s mount Wolf to score by a length.
He claimed a notable scalp when riding his first winner under National Hunt rules, on Samarian, trained by Ted Long, in the Effingham Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on December 13, 1963. Having been waited with and brought with a challenge at the last flight, Samarian took the lead in the last 50 yards from reigning champion jockey Josh Gifford’s mount Wolf to score by a length.
Michael had three rides in the Grand Military Gold Cup, finishing sixth on King Apple in 1964, an unseated rider on King Riff in 1965, and last of five on Altitude in 1971. He never quite managed to ride a winner at the Grand Military meeting, coming closest when second on his four-year-old colt Pure Bog in the inaugural running of the Past and Present Hurdle in 1965.
Michael had three rides in the Grand Military Gold Cup, finishing sixth on King Apple in 1964, an unseated rider on King Riff in 1965, and last of five on Altitude in 1971. He never quite managed to ride a winner at the Grand Military meeting, coming closest when second on his four-year-old colt Pure Bog in the inaugural running of the Past and Present Hurdle in 1965.
He finished second again on Pure Bog next time out, beaten two lengths by Bobby Beasley’s mount L’Etranger at Cheltenham. That was followed by a third-place finish in a Wincanton novice hurdle. They then gained their overdue reward when winning the Brickhill (4yo) Hurdle at Towcester on May 8, 1965.
He finished second again on Pure Bog next time out, beaten two lengths by Bobby Beasley’s mount L’Etranger at Cheltenham. That was followed by a third-place finish in a Wincanton novice hurdle. They then gained their overdue reward when winning the Brickhill (4yo) Hurdle at Towcester on May 8, 1965.
Although failing to register a victory at the Grand Military fixture, he did manage to ride a winner at Sandown’s Royal Artillery meeting, landing the Ubique Maiden Hunters’ Chase on March 31, 1971 aboard Lod Ullswater’s ten-year-old Feckless Thought.
Although failing to register a victory at the Grand Military fixture, he did manage to ride a winner at Sandown’s Royal Artillery meeting, landing the Ubique Maiden Hunters’ Chase on March 31, 1971 aboard Lod Ullswater’s ten-year-old Feckless Thought.
He married Annabel Sherrard in October 1968. They had a son, Patrick, and a daughter, Annabel. They were divorced in 1982. He then married Jean Binney in 1989.
He married Annabel Sherrard in October 1968. They had a son, Patrick, and a daughter, Annabel. They were divorced in 1982. He then married Jean Binney in 1989.
Major Michael Villiers resided at Woodhams Farm, Kings Worthy, near Winchester. He died there in 1996, aged 54.
Major Michael Villiers resided at Woodhams Farm, Kings Worthy, near Winchester. He died there in 1996, aged 54.