Percy Wigham
1931-1998
1931-1998
Percy Wigham was born on October 29, 1931 and established the rare feat for an apprentice of riding a winner on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences, all within the space of a year
Percy Wigham was born on October 29, 1931 and established the rare feat for an apprentice of riding a winner on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences, all within the space of a year
He was apprenticed to Eddie Magner, who trained near Doncaster, and rode his first winner on War Admiral for fellow Doncaster trainer Harry Maw at Lanark on July 21, 1949.
He was apprenticed to Eddie Magner, who trained near Doncaster, and rode his first winner on War Admiral for fellow Doncaster trainer Harry Maw at Lanark on July 21, 1949.
He took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1949/50 season and rode his first winner over jumps on Lisnagree in a Market Rasen novices’ chase on Boxing Day 1949. He completed the unusual treble when winning a Perth selling hurdle on Maiden Over on April 26, 1950.
He took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1949/50 season and rode his first winner over jumps on Lisnagree in a Market Rasen novices’ chase on Boxing Day 1949. He completed the unusual treble when winning a Perth selling hurdle on Maiden Over on April 26, 1950.
Under the rules then in place, once an apprentice had taken out a NH licence he was no longer entitled to claim an allowance on the Flat. Despite that disadvantage, Percy still managed to ride a winner on the Flat in 1950, on Mick’s Delight at Lanark on July 19.
Under the rules then in place, once an apprentice had taken out a NH licence he was no longer entitled to claim an allowance on the Flat. Despite that disadvantage, Percy still managed to ride a winner on the Flat in 1950, on Mick’s Delight at Lanark on July 19.
Back over jumps, he once again achieved the feat of winning on the level, over hurdles and fences within a year, following his win on Mick’s Delight with victories on novice chaser D. And A. at Wetherby on January 20, and novice hurdler Indian Mutiny at Catterick on February 3, 1951.
Back over jumps, he once again achieved the feat of winning on the level, over hurdles and fences within a year, following his win on Mick’s Delight with victories on novice chaser D. And A. at Wetherby on January 20, and novice hurdler Indian Mutiny at Catterick on February 3, 1951.
At the time, he weighed only around 7st 7lb and was the lightest NH jockey then riding. On more than one occasion he had to carry 4 stone of dead weight. He continued to combine riding under both codes until 1957, although his main focus was over jumps.
At the time, he weighed only around 7st 7lb and was the lightest NH jockey then riding. On more than one occasion he had to carry 4 stone of dead weight. He continued to combine riding under both codes until 1957, although his main focus was over jumps.
His six winners for the 1951/52 campaign included an Easter Monday double at Market Rasen aboard handicap hurdler Accurate and novice chaser Pelican Star. He won four more races the following season and emulated his achievement of 12 months earlier with an Easter Monday Market Rasen double.
His six winners for the 1951/52 campaign included an Easter Monday double at Market Rasen aboard handicap hurdler Accurate and novice chaser Pelican Star. He won four more races the following season and emulated his achievement of 12 months earlier with an Easter Monday Market Rasen double.
He achieved his best score in 1953/54 with 10 winners. The next season he rode only four but they included his third Market Rasen Easter Monday double in four years, this time on chasers Silken Thomas and Belle Atom.
He achieved his best score in 1953/54 with 10 winners. The next season he rode only four but they included his third Market Rasen Easter Monday double in four years, this time on chasers Silken Thomas and Belle Atom.
He rode just the one winner at the 1956 Market Rasen Easter Monday fixture, Harry Whiteman’s Geifang Lad, on whom he then won three more times in the space of a month. He was on the mark again at Market Rasen on Easter Monday 1957 when Whiteman’s chaser Wyedale Lad obliged.
He rode just the one winner at the 1956 Market Rasen Easter Monday fixture, Harry Whiteman’s Geifang Lad, on whom he then won three more times in the space of a month. He was on the mark again at Market Rasen on Easter Monday 1957 when Whiteman’s chaser Wyedale Lad obliged.
Two days earlier, Percy had won on a horse named Glamorgan at Newton Abbot. He won on him again at Stratford on May 9, and followed up at Southwell four days later. They were reunited at Uttoxeter on May 18, 1957 and sent off the 7/2 favourite to win their fourth race in a row, but Glamorgan fell and Percy broke his neck, bringing a premature end to his riding career at the age of 26.
Two days earlier, Percy had won on a horse named Glamorgan at Newton Abbot. He won on him again at Stratford on May 9, and followed up at Southwell four days later. They were reunited at Uttoxeter on May 18, 1957 and sent off the 7/2 favourite to win their fourth race in a row, but Glamorgan fell and Percy broke his neck, bringing a premature end to his riding career at the age of 26.
Percy rode over 50 winners before turning to training.
Percy rode over 50 winners before turning to training.
His two sons, Michael and Clifford, were successful jockeys.
His two sons, Michael and Clifford, were successful jockeys.
His brother, Lawrence, was also a NH jockey. He was killed when a heavy load of straw fell on him as he was getting out of his lorry at Terrington, near Malton, on December 28, 1978. He was 49.
His brother, Lawrence, was also a NH jockey. He was killed when a heavy load of straw fell on him as he was getting out of his lorry at Terrington, near Malton, on December 28, 1978. He was 49.
Percy died on May 1, 1998, aged 66. He left £202,702 net.
Percy died on May 1, 1998, aged 66. He left £202,702 net.