Christian Williams
Born on November 26, 1982, jump jockey Christian Williams had two Welsh rugby internationals for uncles and was a decent fly-half himself.
Born on November 26, 1982, jump jockey Christian Williams had two Welsh rugby internationals for uncles and was a decent fly-half himself.
He started his race-riding career on his father’s point-to-pointers in Wales. Being tall for a jockey, he covered his options by spending two years at Bridgend College acquiring an HND in sports science. After that, he had a brief spell working for a stonemason.
He started his race-riding career on his father’s point-to-pointers in Wales. Being tall for a jockey, he covered his options by spending two years at Bridgend College acquiring an HND in sports science. After that, he had a brief spell working for a stonemason.
He was a key member of Paul Nicholls’ team in the first decade of the millennium. In the 2004/05 campaign he won the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle on Noland and Wincanton’s Badger Beer Chase on Royal Auclair. He finished second on Royal Auclair in the 2005 Grand National and fourth behind Kicking King in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. He rode 72 winners the following season.
He was a key member of Paul Nicholls’ team in the first decade of the millennium. In the 2004/05 campaign he won the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle on Noland and Wincanton’s Badger Beer Chase on Royal Auclair. He finished second on Royal Auclair in the 2005 Grand National and fourth behind Kicking King in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. He rode 72 winners the following season.
Then the sky fell in at Worcester on September 3, 2006, when a horse called The Spacer fired him into the ground. He was badly smashed up and needed three lengthy shoulder operations. For six months he could not be sure if he would ride again.
Then the sky fell in at Worcester on September 3, 2006, when a horse called The Spacer fired him into the ground. He was badly smashed up and needed three lengthy shoulder operations. For six months he could not be sure if he would ride again.
He was badly injured again on September 9, 2008 when coming off a raw novice dived through the wing of the last fence at Warwick. It was only the following day when he tried to put his foot in the stirrup of Big Buck's that he realised that his leg was actually broken from three fractures of the tibia.
He was badly injured again on September 9, 2008 when coming off a raw novice dived through the wing of the last fence at Warwick. It was only the following day when he tried to put his foot in the stirrup of Big Buck's that he realised that his leg was actually broken from three fractures of the tibia.
On November 13, 2010, he suffered an X-certificate fall on Beshabar at Cheltenham that almost ended his career. The horse jumped the fence well but was brought down by a faller. As Christian later recalled: “I hit the ground at speed, looked over to my left and saw some of my bones sticking out. My arm was badly bent, a bit like a hosepipe with a kink in it.”
On November 13, 2010, he suffered an X-certificate fall on Beshabar at Cheltenham that almost ended his career. The horse jumped the fence well but was brought down by a faller. As Christian later recalled: “I hit the ground at speed, looked over to my left and saw some of my bones sticking out. My arm was badly bent, a bit like a hosepipe with a kink in it.”
He had lost the pulse in his left hand and the blood had stopped flowing. The medical staff at the course were worried that he might lose his hand altogether if they couldn’t get the pulse back. He was given an anaesthetic so that they could straighten the arm.
He had lost the pulse in his left hand and the blood had stopped flowing. The medical staff at the course were worried that he might lose his hand altogether if they couldn’t get the pulse back. He was given an anaesthetic so that they could straighten the arm.
The injury required seven operations. In the early stages of his recovery, inflammation caused his left arm to swell up to ten times its normal size.
The injury required seven operations. In the early stages of his recovery, inflammation caused his left arm to swell up to ten times its normal size.
Yet at no stage did he consider turning his back on racing. He was out of action for just over a year. During his time off he trained to become a mortgage adviser.
Yet at no stage did he consider turning his back on racing. He was out of action for just over a year. During his time off he trained to become a mortgage adviser.
He attempted to rebuild his race riding career to the heady days of 2006, when he had ridden over 70 winners. However it was not to be and he eventually announced hs retirement.
He attempted to rebuild his race riding career to the heady days of 2006, when he had ridden over 70 winners. However it was not to be and he eventually announced hs retirement.
By then he had already qualified as a BHA accredited Jockey Coach, alongside his race riding. He also worked closely with the Northern Racing College.
By then he had already qualified as a BHA accredited Jockey Coach, alongside his race riding. He also worked closely with the Northern Racing College.
Christian then turned his hand to training and made a highly promising start to his new career. In December 2009 he achieved the greatest ambition for a Welsh-born trainer when saddling Potters Corner, ridden by Jack Tudor, to win the Welsh Grand National.
Christian then turned his hand to training and made a highly promising start to his new career. In December 2009 he achieved the greatest ambition for a Welsh-born trainer when saddling Potters Corner, ridden by Jack Tudor, to win the Welsh Grand National.
His career also received an interesting boost when Potters Corner went on to win the 2020 Virtual Grand National – surely the easiest ‘winner’ he will ever train!
His career also received an interesting boost when Potters Corner went on to win the 2020 Virtual Grand National – surely the easiest ‘winner’ he will ever train!
