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Mark Williams
Mark Williams
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Mark Williams was a conditional jockey with Chulmleigh, Devon-based trainer Reg Keenor and had two wins in the late summer of 1978 before adding two more a few years later.
Mark Williams was a conditional jockey with Chulmleigh, Devon-based trainer Reg Keenor and had two wins in the late summer of 1978 before adding two more a few years later.
His first win may well have been on his first ride. It came at Newton Abbot on August 21 when the 10-year-old Tornadora beat four rivals to land the Yarner Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle by half a length.
His first win may well have been on his first ride. It came at Newton Abbot on August 21 when the 10-year-old Tornadora beat four rivals to land the Yarner Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle by half a length.
Mark doubled his score nine days later when April Lass beat the 15-year-old Bishop Burton by three lengths in the August Selling Handicap Hurdle at Devon & Exeter. The winner had been the runner-up when Tornadora won at Newton Abbot.
Mark doubled his score nine days later when April Lass beat the 15-year-old Bishop Burton by three lengths in the August Selling Handicap Hurdle at Devon & Exeter. The winner had been the runner-up when Tornadora won at Newton Abbot.
Despite having about 70 rides in that 1978/79 campaign, Mark did not add to his tally and was winless for the following two seasons. He does not appear to have ridden in 1981/82 but came back at Devon & Exeter on December 17, 1982 for his third success with a 12-length victory on the three-year-old Brit, beating a dozen rivals to land the Buzzard Novices’ Selling Hurdle.
Despite having about 70 rides in that 1978/79 campaign, Mark did not add to his tally and was winless for the following two seasons. He does not appear to have ridden in 1981/82 but came back at Devon & Exeter on December 17, 1982 for his third success with a 12-length victory on the three-year-old Brit, beating a dozen rivals to land the Buzzard Novices’ Selling Hurdle.
Trained by Bill Turner, Brit was having his third race, having made his debut when fourth with Mark aboard, also Devon & Exeter, the previous month. The partnership had three more starts but the best they managed was one fourth place. Brit went on to complete the course in the 1987 Grand National, coming home 21st of the 22 finishers when ridden by Alan Jones.
Trained by Bill Turner, Brit was having his third race, having made his debut when fourth with Mark aboard, also Devon & Exeter, the previous month. The partnership had three more starts but the best they managed was one fourth place. Brit went on to complete the course in the 1987 Grand National, coming home 21st of the 22 finishers when ridden by Alan Jones.
Mark made another brief comeback in the late 1980s and had his last victory when Sakr, despite whipping round at the start, had a comfortable win by 12 lengths in the Les Fletcher Memorial Challenge Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 6, 1990. Eight days later they were reunited at Devon Exeter, finishing last of three. Sadly, Sakr finished lame and did not race again, while Mark relinquished his licence later that season.
Mark made another brief comeback in the late 1980s and had his last victory when Sakr, despite whipping round at the start, had a comfortable win by 12 lengths in the Les Fletcher Memorial Challenge Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 6, 1990. Eight days later they were reunited at Devon Exeter, finishing last of three. Sadly, Sakr finished lame and did not race again, while Mark relinquished his licence later that season.
Mark Williams’ wins were, in chronological order:
Mark Williams’ wins were, in chronological order:
1. Tornadora, Newton Abbot, August 21, 1978
1. Tornadora, Newton Abbot, August 21, 1978
2. April Lass, Devon & Exeter, August 30, 1978
2. April Lass, Devon & Exeter, August 30, 1978
3. Brit, Devon & Exeter, December 17, 1982
3. Brit, Devon & Exeter, December 17, 1982
4. Sakr, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1990
4. Sakr, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1990
Mark Williams' final winner: Sakr, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1990
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