Bill Williamson
1922 - 1979
1922 - 1979
Bill James Williamson was barely 15 years old when he rode his first winner at Flemington Park, Australia, in December 1937. He thereafter enjoyed a highly respected career where he was held in greater esteem than either Scobie Breasley or Ron Hutchinson, both of whom excelled in Europe. Williamson joined them on the European racing circuit in 1960. He was tempted to do so by Irish trainer Seamus McGrath. Williamson repaid that trainer’s foresight nine years later by winning the l’Arc de Triomphe and Ascot Gold Cup for him on Levmoss in 1969. He also won the previous year's (1968) Arc de Triomphe on Vaguely Noble.
Bill James Williamson was barely 15 years old when he rode his first winner at Flemington Park, Australia, in December 1937. He thereafter enjoyed a highly respected career where he was held in greater esteem than either Scobie Breasley or Ron Hutchinson, both of whom excelled in Europe. Williamson joined them on the European racing circuit in 1960. He was tempted to do so by Irish trainer Seamus McGrath. Williamson repaid that trainer’s foresight nine years later by winning the l’Arc de Triomphe and Ascot Gold Cup for him on Levmoss in 1969. He also won the previous year's (1968) Arc de Triomphe on Vaguely Noble.
In late May, 1972, Bill took a fall from The Broker at Kempton Park. He was to have ridden Roberto in the next week’s Derby, but rumours persisted about his well-being following his tumble and he was replaced by Lester Piggott who went on to win. That same afternoon, Bill Williamson rode a winning double on the same Epsom card, proving his fitness, and the wild ovation he received from the crowd made plain its sympathy for him.
In late May, 1972, Bill took a fall from The Broker at Kempton Park. He was to have ridden Roberto in the next week’s Derby, but rumours persisted about his well-being following his tumble and he was replaced by Lester Piggott who went on to win. That same afternoon, Bill Williamson rode a winning double on the same Epsom card, proving his fitness, and the wild ovation he received from the crowd made plain its sympathy for him.
Because of his rather tired, blinking look and slow, measured stride, he was nicknamed ‘Weary’ Willie, but there was nothing remotely weary about his approach to life. A supremely nice person and great character, he was tactically brilliant on the racecourse. In private, his brain and judgment were both sharp and reliable; his with and humour quick and dry.
Because of his rather tired, blinking look and slow, measured stride, he was nicknamed ‘Weary’ Willie, but there was nothing remotely weary about his approach to life. A supremely nice person and great character, he was tactically brilliant on the racecourse. In private, his brain and judgment were both sharp and reliable; his with and humour quick and dry.
During a 17-year European stay, he won 15 classics in England, France and Ireland before retiring in 1973 and becoming the racing manager for Ravi Tikkoo.
During a 17-year European stay, he won 15 classics in England, France and Ireland before retiring in 1973 and becoming the racing manager for Ravi Tikkoo.
Bill lived at 8, the Ridings, Cobham, Surrey.
Bill lived at 8, the Ridings, Cobham, Surrey.
Eventually, in 1977, he returned to Melbourne where he became a starter for the Victoria Racing Club.
Eventually, in 1977, he returned to Melbourne where he became a starter for the Victoria Racing Club.
Bill Williamson was born on December 19, 1922 and died of a brain tumour on 28 January, 1979, aged 56.
Bill Williamson was born on December 19, 1922 and died of a brain tumour on 28 January, 1979, aged 56.
He was buried in New Cheltenham Cemetery.
He was buried in New Cheltenham Cemetery.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
One Thousand Guineas: Abermaid (1962), Night Off (1965)
One Thousand Guineas: Abermaid (1962), Night Off (1965)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1960: Coronation Stakes (Sandown) – Lucky Guy
1960: Coronation Stakes (Sandown) – Lucky Guy
1960: Yorkshire Oaks – Lynchris
1960: Yorkshire Oaks – Lynchris
1961: Sussex Stakes – Le Levanstell
1961: Sussex Stakes – Le Levanstell
1961: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Le Levanstell
1961: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Le Levanstell
1961: Observer Gold Cup – Miralgo
1961: Observer Gold Cup – Miralgo
1962: Ormonde Stakes – Sovrango
1962: Ormonde Stakes – Sovrango
1962: Great Cheshire Handicap – Espresso
1962: Great Cheshire Handicap – Espresso
1962: Wokingham Stakes – Elco
1962: Wokingham Stakes – Elco
1962: Newbury Summer Cup – Espresso
1962: Newbury Summer Cup – Espresso
1962: Stewards Cup – Victorina
1962: Stewards Cup – Victorina
1962: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Sovrango
1962: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Sovrango
1962: Diadem Stakes – La Belle
1962: Diadem Stakes – La Belle
1962: Princess Royal Stakes – Romantica
1962: Princess Royal Stakes – Romantica
1962: Champion Stakes – Arctic Storm
1962: Champion Stakes – Arctic Storm
1963: Westbury Stakes – Miralgo
1963: Westbury Stakes – Miralgo
1963: Ormonde Stakes – Sovrango
1963: Ormonde Stakes – Sovrango
1963: Hardwicke Stakes – Miralgo
1963: Hardwicke Stakes – Miralgo
1963: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Round Trip
1963: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Round Trip
1963: Old Newton Cup – Young Lochinvar
1963: Old Newton Cup – Young Lochinvar
1963: Vaux Gold Tankard – Espresso
1963: Vaux Gold Tankard – Espresso
1963: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Sovrango
1963: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Sovrango
1964: Observer Gold Cup – Hardicanute
1964: Observer Gold Cup – Hardicanute
1964: Midland Cesarewitch – French Patrol
1964: Midland Cesarewitch – French Patrol
1965: Lockinge Stakes – Young Christopher
1965: Lockinge Stakes – Young Christopher
1965: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Majority Blue
1965: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Majority Blue
1965: Diadem Stakes – Majority Blue
1965: Diadem Stakes – Majority Blue
1965: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Tarquogan
1965: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Tarquogan
1966: Imperial Stakes – Heath Rose
1966: Imperial Stakes – Heath Rose
1967: Lingfield Derby Trial – Heave Ho
1967: Lingfield Derby Trial – Heave Ho
1967: Lockinge Stakes – Bluerullah
1967: Lockinge Stakes – Bluerullah
1967: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Great Host
1967: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Great Host
1967: Portland Handicap – Florescence
1967: Portland Handicap – Florescence
1967: Observer Gold Cup – Vaguely Noble
1967: Observer Gold Cup – Vaguely Noble
1968: Queen Mary Stakes – Grizel
1968: Queen Mary Stakes – Grizel
1968: Jersey Stakes – World Cup
1968: Jersey Stakes – World Cup
1968: William Hill Gold Cup – Straight Master
1968: William Hill Gold Cup – Straight Master
1968: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – World Cup
1968: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – World Cup
1969: Coventry Stakes – Prince Tenderfoot
1969: Coventry Stakes – Prince Tenderfoot
1969: Ascot Gold Cup – Levmoss
1969: Ascot Gold Cup – Levmoss
1969: Lancashire Oaks – Gambola
1969: Lancashire Oaks – Gambola
1969: Richmond Stakes – Village Boy
1969: Richmond Stakes – Village Boy
1969: Gordon Stakes – Harmony Hall
1969: Gordon Stakes – Harmony Hall
1969: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Harmony Hall
1969: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Harmony Hall
1969: Doncaster Cup – Canterbury
1969: Doncaster Cup – Canterbury
1970: Henry II Stakes – Ginger Boy
1970: Henry II Stakes – Ginger Boy
1970: King Edward VII Stakes – Great Wall
1970: King Edward VII Stakes – Great Wall
1971: Jersey Stakes – Ashleigh
1971: Jersey Stakes – Ashleigh
1971: Portland Handicap – Royben
1971: Portland Handicap – Royben
1971: Ayr Gold Cup – Royben
1971: Ayr Gold Cup – Royben
1971: Cornwallis Stakes – Deep Diver
1971: Cornwallis Stakes – Deep Diver
1972: King Edward VII Stakes – Lord Nelson
1972: King Edward VII Stakes – Lord Nelson
1972: National Stakes – Hunter’s Path
1972: National Stakes – Hunter’s Path
1972: Nunthorpe Stakes – Deep Diver
1972: Nunthorpe Stakes – Deep Diver
1973: Palace House Stakes – Brave Lad
1973: Palace House Stakes – Brave Lad
1973: Temple Stakes – Saulingo
1973: Temple Stakes – Saulingo
1973: Jersey Stakes – Pitskelly
1973: Jersey Stakes – Pitskelly
In Ireland
In Ireland
1960: Irish Oaks – Lynchris
1960: Irish Oaks – Lynchris
1960: Irish Sr Leger – Lynchris
1960: Irish Sr Leger – Lynchris
1961: Tetrarch Stakes – Time Greine
1961: Tetrarch Stakes – Time Greine
1961: Pretty Polly Stakes – Icy Look
1961: Pretty Polly Stakes – Icy Look
1962: Irish Two Thousand Guineas – Arctic Storm
1962: Irish Two Thousand Guineas – Arctic Storm
1963: Irish Oaks – Hibernia III
1963: Irish Oaks – Hibernia III
1964: Irish St Leger – Biscayne
1964: Irish St Leger – Biscayne
1965: Larkspur Stakes – Current Coin
1965: Larkspur Stakes – Current Coin
1966: Irish Oaks – Merry Mate
1966: Irish Oaks – Merry Mate
1967: Blandford Stakes – Dominion Day
1967: Blandford Stakes – Dominion Day
1967: Anglesey Stakes – Society
1967: Anglesey Stakes – Society
1968: National Stakes – Thataboy
1968: National Stakes – Thataboy
1968: Curragh Stakes – Soho Lad
1968: Curragh Stakes – Soho Lad
1968: Larkspur Stakes – Star Marine
1968: Larkspur Stakes – Star Marine
1969: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Wenduyne
1969: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Wenduyne
1969: Athasi Stakes – Wenduyne
1969: Athasi Stakes – Wenduyne
1972: Pretty Polly Stakes – Pidget
1972: Pretty Polly Stakes – Pidget
1972: Irish Derby – Steel Pulse
1972: Irish Derby – Steel Pulse
In France
In France
1968: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Vaguely Noble
1968: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Vaguely Noble
1969: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Levmoss
1969: Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Levmoss
1969: Prix du Cadran – Levmoss
1969: Prix du Cadran – Levmoss
1970: Poule d’Essai des Poulains – Caro
1970: Poule d’Essai des Poulains – Caro
1970: Prix de Diane – Sweet Mimosa
1970: Prix de Diane – Sweet Mimosa
1970: Prix d’Ispahan – Caro
1970: Prix d’Ispahan – Caro
1970: Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – Gyr
1970: Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud – Gyr
1971: Poule d’Essai des Pouliches – Bold Fascinator
1971: Poule d’Essai des Pouliches – Bold Fascinator
1972: Prix de l’Abbaye – Deep Diver
1972: Prix de l’Abbaye – Deep Diver
In Germany:
In Germany:
1963: Grosser Preis von Baden – Espresso
1963: Grosser Preis von Baden – Espresso
1964: Grosser Preis von Baden – Espresso
1964: Grosser Preis von Baden – Espresso