William Wales
William Wales was born at Marham, near King’s Lynn, on September 16, 1961, the son of 1959 champion point-to-point rider David Wales who also rode 26 winners under National Hunt rules – 18 of them at Fakenham.
William Wales was born at Marham, near King’s Lynn, on September 16, 1961, the son of 1959 champion point-to-point rider David Wales who also rode 26 winners under National Hunt rules – 18 of them at Fakenham.
William rode his first winner, aged 16, at Higham point-to-point early in 1978 on his first ride in public. That same season he made a winning debut under rules when guiding the eight-year-old mare Black Outlook, owned and trained by his father, to victory in the Queen’s Cup Eastern Counties Hunters’ Chase at Fakenham on Easter Monday, March 27, 1978.
William rode his first winner, aged 16, at Higham point-to-point early in 1978 on his first ride in public. That same season he made a winning debut under rules when guiding the eight-year-old mare Black Outlook, owned and trained by his father, to victory in the Queen’s Cup Eastern Counties Hunters’ Chase at Fakenham on Easter Monday, March 27, 1978.
The Queen’s Cup is a unique race in that it is restricted to horses qualified with local hunts (it was modified to an open hunter chase in 2022). Originally presented by King Edward VII and renamed the Queen’s Cup following the death of King George VI in 1952, it carries significant local prestige. In winning the race, young William was following in the footsteps of his father, who had won the race four times.
The Queen’s Cup is a unique race in that it is restricted to horses qualified with local hunts (it was modified to an open hunter chase in 2022). Originally presented by King Edward VII and renamed the Queen’s Cup following the death of King George VI in 1952, it carries significant local prestige. In winning the race, young William was following in the footsteps of his father, who had won the race four times.
The best horse William rode was Swift Wood, also owned and trained by his father. William rode him to victory in the 1980 John Corbett Cup, the big race for novice hunter chasers at Stratford’s Horse and Hound meeting. The following season they won the Baulking Green Trophy at Stratford and the Essandem Hunters’ Perpetual Trophy at Fakenham.
The best horse William rode was Swift Wood, also owned and trained by his father. William rode him to victory in the 1980 John Corbett Cup, the big race for novice hunter chasers at Stratford’s Horse and Hound meeting. The following season they won the Baulking Green Trophy at Stratford and the Essandem Hunters’ Perpetual Trophy at Fakenham.
Although he failed to score in 1982, Swift Wood returned to winning ways under William in 1983, winning three Fakenham hunter chases, including the Essandem Perpetual Trophy again, and a second Baulking Green Trophy at Stratford.
Although he failed to score in 1982, Swift Wood returned to winning ways under William in 1983, winning three Fakenham hunter chases, including the Essandem Perpetual Trophy again, and a second Baulking Green Trophy at Stratford.
In 1984, William won a Doncaster hunter chase on Swift Wood but could only finish second in Fakenham’s Walter Wales Memorial Cup Hunters’ Chase, a race named in memory of his grandfather.
In 1984, William won a Doncaster hunter chase on Swift Wood but could only finish second in Fakenham’s Walter Wales Memorial Cup Hunters’ Chase, a race named in memory of his grandfather.
He recorded another high-profile success when winning the Merlin Hunters’ Chase at Ascot in 1990 on Deer Crest, owned and trained by Captain William Bulwer-Long.
He recorded another high-profile success when winning the Merlin Hunters’ Chase at Ascot in 1990 on Deer Crest, owned and trained by Captain William Bulwer-Long.
One of William’s last wins was gained on Van Dyke Brown, whichy he also trained, in the Hilleshog Sugar Beet Seed Novices’ Hunters’ Chase at Fakenham on Whit Monday, May 31, 1993.
One of William’s last wins was gained on Van Dyke Brown, whichy he also trained, in the Hilleshog Sugar Beet Seed Novices’ Hunters’ Chase at Fakenham on Whit Monday, May 31, 1993.