Norman Williamson
Norman Patrick Williamson was born in Co. Cork on January 16, 1969. He began his racing career as an amateur with trainer Dermot Weld from 1984-88 after being three times champion pony rider. He rode his first winner under rules on Jack ‘N’ Jill at Clonmel in March 1987.
Norman Patrick Williamson was born in Co. Cork on January 16, 1969. He began his racing career as an amateur with trainer Dermot Weld from 1984-88 after being three times champion pony rider. He rode his first winner under rules on Jack ‘N’ Jill at Clonmel in March 1987.
His finest moment in the saddle came in 1995 when becoming one of a select few to secure a Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double on the Kim Bailey-trained duo Alderbrook and Master Oats at Cheltenham. He also secured the leading rider award at that year’s Festival.
His finest moment in the saddle came in 1995 when becoming one of a select few to secure a Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double on the Kim Bailey-trained duo Alderbrook and Master Oats at Cheltenham. He also secured the leading rider award at that year’s Festival.
Altogether, Norman rode 11 Cheltenham Festival winners between 1995 and 2003. He won the 1997 Triumph Hurdle on Commanche Court, with other Festival victories including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle (twice), Grand Annual Chase, Pertemps Hurdle Final and Mildmay of Flete Chase. He finished second on Theatreworld in that year’s Champion Hurdle, the first of Istabraq’s three Champion Hurdle victories.
Altogether, Norman rode 11 Cheltenham Festival winners between 1995 and 2003. He won the 1997 Triumph Hurdle on Commanche Court, with other Festival victories including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle (twice), Grand Annual Chase, Pertemps Hurdle Final and Mildmay of Flete Chase. He finished second on Theatreworld in that year’s Champion Hurdle, the first of Istabraq’s three Champion Hurdle victories.
In 1998 he won the Hennessy Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase on the Venetia Williams-trained Teeton Mill. He also won that year’s Tingle Creek Chase on Direct Route. He earned a reputation as a man for the big occasion.
In 1998 he won the Hennessy Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase on the Venetia Williams-trained Teeton Mill. He also won that year’s Tingle Creek Chase on Direct Route. He earned a reputation as a man for the big occasion.
However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the jockey known as ‘Stormin’ Norman’. His relationship with Bailey was terminated after a well-documented affair with Bailey’s wife. Furthermore, a drink-driving offence nearly spelt the end of his career. In April 1999, magistrates told him he had avoided going to prison by a whisker. He was sentenced to 100 hours’ community service and banned from driving for three years.
However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the jockey known as ‘Stormin’ Norman’. His relationship with Bailey was terminated after a well-documented affair with Bailey’s wife. Furthermore, a drink-driving offence nearly spelt the end of his career. In April 1999, magistrates told him he had avoided going to prison by a whisker. He was sentenced to 100 hours’ community service and banned from driving for three years.
He finished second on Mely Moss behind Papillon in the 2000 Grand National. In 2002 he won the Midlands Grand National on The Bunny Boiler. In March 2003 he achieved his last big race success on Back In Front in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
He finished second on Mely Moss behind Papillon in the 2000 Grand National. In 2002 he won the Midlands Grand National on The Bunny Boiler. In March 2003 he achieved his last big race success on Back In Front in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Ultimately, his catalogue of injuries, culminating with a neck affliction resulting from two crashing falls, caused him to announce his retirement on medical advice in October 2003, having ridden a total of 966 winners in Britain and over 1,000 in total.
Ultimately, his catalogue of injuries, culminating with a neck affliction resulting from two crashing falls, caused him to announce his retirement on medical advice in October 2003, having ridden a total of 966 winners in Britain and over 1,000 in total.
Norman made a successful one-off return to the saddle at Punchestown in October 2017, riding Pallasator, a former Doncaster Cup winner when trained by Sir Mark Prescott, to victory in the John Shortt Legends Challenge Race, a charity event run in memory of the former National Hunt jockey who had died earlier that year.
Norman made a successful one-off return to the saddle at Punchestown in October 2017, riding Pallasator, a former Doncaster Cup winner when trained by Sir Mark Prescott, to victory in the John Shortt Legends Challenge Race, a charity event run in memory of the former National Hunt jockey who had died earlier that year.
In retirement, Norman has concentrated on the bloodstock side of Irish racing. His wife is Janet Hyde, daughter of prominent bloodstock agent and stud owner Timmy Hyde. Together, they have created a successful and thriving bloodstock business.
In retirement, Norman has concentrated on the bloodstock side of Irish racing. His wife is Janet Hyde, daughter of prominent bloodstock agent and stud owner Timmy Hyde. Together, they have created a successful and thriving bloodstock business.
Big winners included:
Big winners included:
1990: Mackeson Gold Cup – Multum in Parvo
1990: Mackeson Gold Cup – Multum in Parvo
1994: Welsh Grand National – Master Oats
1994: Welsh Grand National – Master Oats
1995: Champion Hurdle – Alderbrook
1995: Champion Hurdle – Alderbrook
1995: Cheltenham Gold Cup – Master Oats
1995: Cheltenham Gold Cup – Master Oats
1995: Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle – Putty Road
1995: Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle – Putty Road
1995: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Kadi
1995: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Kadi
1997: Triumph Hurdle – Commanche Court
1997: Triumph Hurdle – Commanche Court
1998: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Super Coin
1998: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Super Coin
1998: Hennessy Gold Cup – Teeton Mill
1998: Hennessy Gold Cup – Teeton Mill
1998: Tingle Creek Chase – Direct Route
1998: Tingle Creek Chase – Direct Route
1998: King George VI Chase – Teeton Mill
1998: King George VI Chase – Teeton Mill
1999: Stakis Casino Final Handicap Hurdle – Generosa
1999: Stakis Casino Final Handicap Hurdle – Generosa
1999: Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final – Generosa
1999: Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final – Generosa
1999: Melling Chase – Direct Route
1999: Melling Chase – Direct Route
1999: Murphy’s Gold Cup – The Outback Way
1999: Murphy’s Gold Cup – The Outback Way
2000: Unicoin Handicap Chase – The Outback Way
2000: Unicoin Handicap Chase – The Outback Way
2000: Miles Gosling Handicap Chase – Kingdom Of Shades
2000: Miles Gosling Handicap Chase – Kingdom Of Shades
2000: Tolworth Hurdle – Monsignor
2000: Tolworth Hurdle – Monsignor
2000: Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle – Monsignor
2000: Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle – Monsignor
2000: Grand Annual Chase – Samakaan
2000: Grand Annual Chase – Samakaan
2000: Melling Chase – Direct Route
2000: Melling Chase – Direct Route
2002: Midlands Grand National – The Bunny Boiler
2002: Midlands Grand National – The Bunny Boiler
2003: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Back In Front
2003: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Back In Front