Evan Williams
The following article is by Brian Lee, author of the book 'Welsh Steeplechase Jockeys', published in 1993.
The following article is by Brian Lee, author of the book 'Welsh Steeplechase Jockeys', published in 1993.
One of the most successful NH jockeys of his time was Evan Morgan Williams who was born on May 9, 1912, in Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan.
One of the most successful NH jockeys of his time was Evan Morgan Williams who was born on May 9, 1912, in Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan.
He was the son of Fred Williams, the popular starter at Cardiff's Ely Racecourse and Mine Host of the Bear Hotel, Cowbridge.
He was the son of Fred Williams, the popular starter at Cardiff's Ely Racecourse and Mine Host of the Bear Hotel, Cowbridge.
Evan was to win two Cheltenham Gold Cups and a Grand National.
Evan was to win two Cheltenham Gold Cups and a Grand National.
His first winner was Dream O'Fortune at Colwall Park on May 23, 1932.
His first winner was Dream O'Fortune at Colwall Park on May 23, 1932.
He turned professional during the Cardiff meeting on Easter Monday, 1933. He rode the first winner, Mr Ghandi, as an amateur and the last winner, Vive L'Amour, as a professional.
He turned professional during the Cardiff meeting on Easter Monday, 1933. He rode the first winner, Mr Ghandi, as an amateur and the last winner, Vive L'Amour, as a professional.
He was attached to fellow Welshman Owen Anthony's yard at Letcombe Bassett when he was asked to ride the legendary Golden Miller in the 1936 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He was attached to fellow Welshman Owen Anthony's yard at Letcombe Bassett when he was asked to ride the legendary Golden Miller in the 1936 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Golden Miller, who had set a record by winning the race for the four previous years, had run out with his usual rider, Gerry Wilson, less than three weeks before the race. It must have caused the little-known Welshman a great deal of stress getting up for the first time in public on one of the most popular steeplechasers of all time.
Golden Miller, who had set a record by winning the race for the four previous years, had run out with his usual rider, Gerry Wilson, less than three weeks before the race. It must have caused the little-known Welshman a great deal of stress getting up for the first time in public on one of the most popular steeplechasers of all time.
Evan, however, showed great horsemanship to steer the mighty 'Miller' home to a 12 lengths win over Royal Mail, on which he was to win the 1937 Grand National.
Evan, however, showed great horsemanship to steer the mighty 'Miller' home to a 12 lengths win over Royal Mail, on which he was to win the 1937 Grand National.
Evan's second Gold Cup win came in 1940 when he scored an easy ten lengths win on Roman Hackle which, like Golden Miller, was owned by Miss Dorothy Paget and trained by Owen Anthony.
Evan's second Gold Cup win came in 1940 when he scored an easy ten lengths win on Roman Hackle which, like Golden Miller, was owned by Miss Dorothy Paget and trained by Owen Anthony.
The 1937 Grand National was celebrated as the centenary of the great race by the Liverpool Racecourse Executive.
The 1937 Grand National was celebrated as the centenary of the great race by the Liverpool Racecourse Executive.
The fact that a Welshman-North Walian Henry Potts had won the first was not picked up by the racing scribes when Evan won on Hugh Lloyd Thomas's Royal Mail.
The fact that a Welshman-North Walian Henry Potts had won the first was not picked up by the racing scribes when Evan won on Hugh Lloyd Thomas's Royal Mail.
Evan took up the running a long way from home and, in the capable hands of his 24-year-old rider, stayed on stoutly to beat Cooleen by three lengths.
Evan took up the running a long way from home and, in the capable hands of his 24-year-old rider, stayed on stoutly to beat Cooleen by three lengths.
Evan had taken the lead much sooner than he wanted in order to keep clear of some loose horses - in fact, on the second circuit, he had nearly been brought down by one of them.
Evan had taken the lead much sooner than he wanted in order to keep clear of some loose horses - in fact, on the second circuit, he had nearly been brought down by one of them.
By racing ahead he stayed clear of trouble and this wise move won him the race.
By racing ahead he stayed clear of trouble and this wise move won him the race.
When asked by the press what he thought about his success he replied: 'What can I say? I have won the Grand National and am naturally delighted. Give credit to the horse: he jumped perfectly and cleverly. He made one or two mistakes, but they were not entirely his fault. When I took up the running in the country the second time, some loose horses interfered with him and it was not long before we could shake them of. After that, everything went smoothly.'
When asked by the press what he thought about his success he replied: 'What can I say? I have won the Grand National and am naturally delighted. Give credit to the horse: he jumped perfectly and cleverly. He made one or two mistakes, but they were not entirely his fault. When I took up the running in the country the second time, some loose horses interfered with him and it was not long before we could shake them of. After that, everything went smoothly.'
Evan had first ridden in the National as a willowy amateur, finishing well down the field on Chadd's Ford, a 50-1 shot owned by the American sewing-machine millionaire, Ambrose Clark.
Evan had first ridden in the National as a willowy amateur, finishing well down the field on Chadd's Ford, a 50-1 shot owned by the American sewing-machine millionaire, Ambrose Clark.
After the War, Evan took out a trainer licence and trained on the Flat at Kingsclere.
After the War, Evan took out a trainer licence and trained on the Flat at Kingsclere.
His most notable success was Supreme Court which won, among other races, the King Edward Vll Stakes at Royal Ascot and the festival of Britain King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
His most notable success was Supreme Court which won, among other races, the King Edward Vll Stakes at Royal Ascot and the festival of Britain King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
He retired young and went to live in County Limerick where he became a Master of Hounds.
He retired young and went to live in County Limerick where he became a Master of Hounds.
He also bred Taxidermist, winner of the 1958 Whitbread Gold Cup.
He also bred Taxidermist, winner of the 1958 Whitbread Gold Cup.
Dick Francis said: 'He was the nicest man I know'.
Dick Francis said: 'He was the nicest man I know'.
Evan died at Ballykisteen Stud, Ireland, on July 12, 2001 aged 89, and was buried in Knockaney Cemetery on July 14, 2001.
Evan died at Ballykisteen Stud, Ireland, on July 12, 2001 aged 89, and was buried in Knockaney Cemetery on July 14, 2001.
His son Ian, a fine amateur rider, won the 1974 Cheltenham Foxhunters' on Corrie Burn. Ian was also responsible for breeding Rag Trade, winner of the 1976 National.
His son Ian, a fine amateur rider, won the 1974 Cheltenham Foxhunters' on Corrie Burn. Ian was also responsible for breeding Rag Trade, winner of the 1976 National.
Evan also won the 1936 Becher Chase on Royal Mail and the Valentine Chase on Drinmore Lad in the same year.
Evan also won the 1936 Becher Chase on Royal Mail and the Valentine Chase on Drinmore Lad in the same year.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1936: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Golden Miller
1936: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Golden Miller
1936: Becher Chase - Royal Mail
1936: Becher Chase - Royal Mail
1936: Valentine Chase - Drinmore Lad
1936: Valentine Chase - Drinmore Lad
1937: Grand National - Royal Mail
1937: Grand National - Royal Mail
1940: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Roman Hackle
1940: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Roman Hackle
