William George Woodland was born in Kilburn on August 13, 1872.
He rode Magpie into fourth place in the 1886 Grand National behind Old Joe. William was 13 at the time and weighed just seven stone. He substituted for an injured jockey.
He later became a trainer at Hednesford.
William was married to a sister of George Williamson.
In 1886, he won the Great Metropolitan on Magpie.
William died in Southampton on December 2, 1921, aged 49.