William Williams
National Hunt jockey William Williams rode a total of 41winners in a career spanning the first quarter of the 20th century. He also completed the course on his only attempt in the Grand National.
National Hunt jockey William Williams rode a total of 41winners in a career spanning the first quarter of the 20th century. He also completed the course on his only attempt in the Grand National.
William had his first ride in public on Merry Shepherd who finished second, beaten a length, in the Tundridge Court Hurdle at Lingfield Park on January 11, 1896. Lingfield was also the venue for his first winner, although that did not come until five years later. He finally broke his duck when landing the Second Flight Chase on 2-1 chance David Harum, winning in “a canter” (according to the form book result) by four lengths..
William had his first ride in public on Merry Shepherd who finished second, beaten a length, in the Tundridge Court Hurdle at Lingfield Park on January 11, 1896. Lingfield was also the venue for his first winner, although that did not come until five years later. He finally broke his duck when landing the Second Flight Chase on 2-1 chance David Harum, winning in “a canter” (according to the form book result) by four lengths..
On Thursday, October 18, 1906, William created a small piece of racing history when winning the last race on the final day’s racing at Keele Park, the two-mile Sneyd Hurdle on Punch.
On Thursday, October 18, 1906, William created a small piece of racing history when winning the last race on the final day’s racing at Keele Park, the two-mile Sneyd Hurdle on Punch.
Keele Park, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, built on land belonging to Ralph Sneyd, had opened for business in May 1895. For whatever reason, the Staffordshire venue was unpopular with various sections of the sporting press. Likewise, owners and trainers tended to look elsewhere, being under the misguided impression that it was hard to get to. In fact, the course was just two miles from Keele Station and three miles from Newcastle-under-Lyme. There was also a station half a mile from the course, open on race days only. Travel, at least by train, could hardly have been easier.
Keele Park, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, built on land belonging to Ralph Sneyd, had opened for business in May 1895. For whatever reason, the Staffordshire venue was unpopular with various sections of the sporting press. Likewise, owners and trainers tended to look elsewhere, being under the misguided impression that it was hard to get to. In fact, the course was just two miles from Keele Station and three miles from Newcastle-under-Lyme. There was also a station half a mile from the course, open on race days only. Travel, at least by train, could hardly have been easier.
Uttoxeter, which staged its inaugural meeting on May 3, 1907, less than a year after Keele Park’s closure, became the latter’s replacement. The site on which Keele Park once stood now lies buried under Keele Services on a busy stretch of the M6.
Uttoxeter, which staged its inaugural meeting on May 3, 1907, less than a year after Keele Park’s closure, became the latter’s replacement. The site on which Keele Park once stood now lies buried under Keele Services on a busy stretch of the M6.
William enjoyed his most successful year in 1907 with 15 winners. It was the only time he reached double figures for a calendar year. Four of those wins were gained on Domino, who was probably the best horse he ever rode.
William enjoyed his most successful year in 1907 with 15 winners. It was the only time he reached double figures for a calendar year. Four of those wins were gained on Domino, who was probably the best horse he ever rode.
William and Domino won three races within a month in 1907. Having scored at Newbury on February 22, they followed up at Ludlow four days later. On March 8 they finished second in the valuable Great Cheshire Chase at Hooton Park, then won the New Century Chase at Hurst Park on March 14.
William and Domino won three races within a month in 1907. Having scored at Newbury on February 22, they followed up at Ludlow four days later. On March 8 they finished second in the valuable Great Cheshire Chase at Hooton Park, then won the New Century Chase at Hurst Park on March 14.
Their next outing was in the prestigious Lancashire Chase on April 1, when they finished second to that year’s Grand National winner Eremon, who was returning to action just ten days after his Aintree triumph. William then rode Domino to win at Newbury on April 11.
Their next outing was in the prestigious Lancashire Chase on April 1, when they finished second to that year’s Grand National winner Eremon, who was returning to action just ten days after his Aintree triumph. William then rode Domino to win at Newbury on April 11.
Having won the last race ever held at Keele Park, William rode his own last winner at another long-lost venue, Portsmouth Park, guiding 5-1 chance Platonic to victory by three-quarters of a length in the Portsdown Handicap Chase on April 17, 1915. He rode for the last time at Warwick on January 25, 1926, when pulling up his mount Tokay in the Chandler Handicap Chase.
Having won the last race ever held at Keele Park, William rode his own last winner at another long-lost venue, Portsmouth Park, guiding 5-1 chance Platonic to victory by three-quarters of a length in the Portsdown Handicap Chase on April 17, 1915. He rode for the last time at Warwick on January 25, 1926, when pulling up his mount Tokay in the Chandler Handicap Chase.
Amazingly, he appears to have had just one ride between his last winner in 1915 and his final mount in 1926. And that was in the Grand National!
Amazingly, he appears to have had just one ride between his last winner in 1915 and his final mount in 1926. And that was in the Grand National!
In 1923 he rode 100-1 outsider Cinders II and completed the course last of the seven finishers behind the 13-year-old veteran Sergeant Murphy. The circumstances surrounding that single ride in the space of 11 years – in the Grand National, of all races – remain a mystery. But at least he had the satisfaction of getting round in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
In 1923 he rode 100-1 outsider Cinders II and completed the course last of the seven finishers behind the 13-year-old veteran Sergeant Murphy. The circumstances surrounding that single ride in the space of 11 years – in the Grand National, of all races – remain a mystery. But at least he had the satisfaction of getting round in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
