Joseph Williamson
Joseph Williamson, described as “a well-known jockey” in pre-war days, was a native of York and rode 50 winners on the Flat between 1907 and 1912.
Joseph Williamson, described as “a well-known jockey” in pre-war days, was a native of York and rode 50 winners on the Flat between 1907 and 1912.
He was apprenticed to Newmarket trainer Robert Sherwood and rode at the first meeting ever held at the present-day Ayr racecourse, which had replaced the previous location at Belleisle.
He was apprenticed to Newmarket trainer Robert Sherwood and rode at the first meeting ever held at the present-day Ayr racecourse, which had replaced the previous location at Belleisle.
The inaugural meeting at the new Ayr venue was a three-day affair, from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 September 1907. The first race, the Inauguration Cup, was won by the five-year-old Simon Melton, ridden by Frank Bullock, but the most valuable race of the day was the West of Scotland Foal Stakes for two-year-olds, this going to Cinderello, the mount of Herbert Randall.
The inaugural meeting at the new Ayr venue was a three-day affair, from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 September 1907. The first race, the Inauguration Cup, was won by the five-year-old Simon Melton, ridden by Frank Bullock, but the most valuable race of the day was the West of Scotland Foal Stakes for two-year-olds, this going to Cinderello, the mount of Herbert Randall.
Joseph did not have a mount on the opening day but finished fifth of six on Tragedy Queen, trained by Sherwood, in the Albany Selling Plate on day two. That day’s highlight was the Ayrshire Handicap, which went to Wise Mason, partnered by Ernest Sadgrove.
Joseph did not have a mount on the opening day but finished fifth of six on Tragedy Queen, trained by Sherwood, in the Albany Selling Plate on day two. That day’s highlight was the Ayrshire Handicap, which went to Wise Mason, partnered by Ernest Sadgrove.
On the third day of the meeting, Joseph came within a short head of riding his first winner on an unnamed filly of Robert Sherwood’s by Ian out of Tacita, beaten by the apprentice-ridden Yankee Lass in the Two-Year-Old Selling Handicap. The feature event that day was the Ayr Gold Cup, not the six-furlong version we know today, but a mile - and a quarter handicap. Herbert Randall was again the successful jockey here, aboard the Sherwood-trained five-year-old Charis.
On the third day of the meeting, Joseph came within a short head of riding his first winner on an unnamed filly of Robert Sherwood’s by Ian out of Tacita, beaten by the apprentice-ridden Yankee Lass in the Two-Year-Old Selling Handicap. The feature event that day was the Ayr Gold Cup, not the six-furlong version we know today, but a mile - and a quarter handicap. Herbert Randall was again the successful jockey here, aboard the Sherwood-trained five-year-old Charis.
Tragedy Queen became Joseph’s first winner when landing the Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Newmarket on 4 October 1907. His second win came on an unnamed filly, again by the stallion Ian, out of Lady Tertius, in the Kineton Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Warwick on 18 November.
Tragedy Queen became Joseph’s first winner when landing the Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Newmarket on 4 October 1907. His second win came on an unnamed filly, again by the stallion Ian, out of Lady Tertius, in the Kineton Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Warwick on 18 November.
Having ridden those two winners in 1907, Joseph recorded a score of 14 in 1908, including a double at Redcar in August and a treble at Thirsk in October; then 17 in 1909, including a four-timer at Redcar on 11 August, all on horses trained by Robert Sherwood.
Having ridden those two winners in 1907, Joseph recorded a score of 14 in 1908, including a double at Redcar in August and a treble at Thirsk in October; then 17 in 1909, including a four-timer at Redcar on 11 August, all on horses trained by Robert Sherwood.
His apprenticeship ended, Joseph rode as a professional in 1910, when he rode a dozen winners, but his tally dropped to just two in 1911.
His apprenticeship ended, Joseph rode as a professional in 1910, when he rode a dozen winners, but his tally dropped to just two in 1911.
There were three wins in 1912, two of which came on successive days at Stockton’s two-day April meeting, scoring on Marcionist in the South Durham Plate on the first day and Top o’the Morning in the Wolviston Welter Handicap on the second day. His last win came in a walkover aboard Mercury, trained by Robert Sherwood, for the Spa Plate at Ripon on 10 May 1912.
There were three wins in 1912, two of which came on successive days at Stockton’s two-day April meeting, scoring on Marcionist in the South Durham Plate on the first day and Top o’the Morning in the Wolviston Welter Handicap on the second day. His last win came in a walkover aboard Mercury, trained by Robert Sherwood, for the Spa Plate at Ripon on 10 May 1912.
He held a licence for two more years but failed to ride another winner. Increasing weight forced him to retire from the saddle in 1914.
He held a licence for two more years but failed to ride another winner. Increasing weight forced him to retire from the saddle in 1914.
Joseph Williamson died at Gravesend in August 1937.
Joseph Williamson died at Gravesend in August 1937.