William Woods
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Cheltenham Festival-winning jockeys usually have successful careers beforehand and/or afterwards. They are the big names, the famous ones we’ve all heard of. Just occasionally, however, what used to be called the National Hunt Meeting rather than ‘The Festival’ throws up an unknown who pretty much stays unknown.
Cheltenham Festival-winning jockeys usually have successful careers beforehand and/or afterwards. They are the big names, the famous ones we’ve all heard of. Just occasionally, however, what used to be called the National Hunt Meeting rather than ‘The Festival’ throws up an unknown who pretty much stays unknown.
William Harry Woods, or it could have been Bill Woods, is one such contender. He enjoyed his moment of fame when winning the second division of the Gloucestershire (now Supreme Novices’) Hurdle on 33/1 outsider Bastille in 1960. That was easily the biggest of the 16 winners he rode during his career, which spanned from the 1956/57 season to 1964/65.
William Harry Woods, or it could have been Bill Woods, is one such contender. He enjoyed his moment of fame when winning the second division of the Gloucestershire (now Supreme Novices’) Hurdle on 33/1 outsider Bastille in 1960. That was easily the biggest of the 16 winners he rode during his career, which spanned from the 1956/57 season to 1964/65.
He was based with Lewes trainer Tom Masson but also rode for other local trainers, one of whom, Bob Moore, supplied him with his first winner, Queen’s Terrace, in a two-mile handicap chase at Plumpton on January 5, 1959. They won again over course and distance at the end of March.
He was based with Lewes trainer Tom Masson but also rode for other local trainers, one of whom, Bob Moore, supplied him with his first winner, Queen’s Terrace, in a two-mile handicap chase at Plumpton on January 5, 1959. They won again over course and distance at the end of March.
Those were Bill’s only two wins that season but the 1959/60 campaign brought a total of eleven, highlighted by that big Cheltenham success on Bastille. Trained by Tom Masson, Bastille had run only twice that season, finishing unplaced in a Lingfield handicap hurdle on his previous start, with Bill putting up 8lb overweight at 10st 5lb, so it appears that he may have been a touch on the heavy side, thus restricting his opportunities in future years.
Those were Bill’s only two wins that season but the 1959/60 campaign brought a total of eleven, highlighted by that big Cheltenham success on Bastille. Trained by Tom Masson, Bastille had run only twice that season, finishing unplaced in a Lingfield handicap hurdle on his previous start, with Bill putting up 8lb overweight at 10st 5lb, so it appears that he may have been a touch on the heavy side, thus restricting his opportunities in future years.
The following season, 1960/61, he rode just three winners – the last three of his career – the first of these being on the horse that had given him his first victory, Queen’s Terrace, at Plumpton. The other two came on handicap hurdler Anner Loch, trained by John Hicks at East Chiltington, Sussex, at Fontwell on Boxing Day and at Hurst Park on January 4, 1961. When put over fences, Anner Loch went on to win the 1963 Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham National Hunt Meeting, but sadly not with Bill Woods on board, meaning he was unable to achieve a second Cheltenham Festival success.
The following season, 1960/61, he rode just three winners – the last three of his career – the first of these being on the horse that had given him his first victory, Queen’s Terrace, at Plumpton. The other two came on handicap hurdler Anner Loch, trained by John Hicks at East Chiltington, Sussex, at Fontwell on Boxing Day and at Hurst Park on January 4, 1961. When put over fences, Anner Loch went on to win the 1963 Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham National Hunt Meeting, but sadly not with Bill Woods on board, meaning he was unable to achieve a second Cheltenham Festival success.
He held a jockey’s licence until the 1964/65 season but had no more winners. He rode only occasionally, although he did manage three rides on Plumpton’s 1964 Easter Monday card, on Windsor Road, Ready Penny and Brilliantine, all for trainer Derek Kent.
He held a jockey’s licence until the 1964/65 season but had no more winners. He rode only occasionally, although he did manage three rides on Plumpton’s 1964 Easter Monday card, on Windsor Road, Ready Penny and Brilliantine, all for trainer Derek Kent.
His winners in chronological order were:
His winners in chronological order were:
1. Queen’s Terrace, Plumpton, January 5, 1959
1. Queen’s Terrace, Plumpton, January 5, 1959
2. Queen’s Terrace, Plumpton, March 28, 1959
2. Queen’s Terrace, Plumpton, March 28, 1959
3. Gama II, Plumpton, November 16, 1959
3. Gama II, Plumpton, November 16, 1959
4. Token, Fontwell, November 23, 1959
4. Token, Fontwell, November 23, 1959
5. Lion of England, Kempton, November 26, 1959
5. Lion of England, Kempton, November 26, 1959
6. Lion’s Glen, Plumpton, December 2, 1959
6. Lion’s Glen, Plumpton, December 2, 1959
7. Token, Lingfield, December 4, 1959
7. Token, Lingfield, December 4, 1959
8. Fairyfeet, Fontwell, February 15, 1960
8. Fairyfeet, Fontwell, February 15, 1960
9. Bastille, Cheltenham, March 9, 1960
9. Bastille, Cheltenham, March 9, 1960
10. Fairyfeet, Lingfield, March 16, 1960
10. Fairyfeet, Lingfield, March 16, 1960
11. Pandaris, Fontwell, March 28, 1960
11. Pandaris, Fontwell, March 28, 1960
12. Irish Poplar, Wye, April 4, 1960
12. Irish Poplar, Wye, April 4, 1960
13. Fundador, Stratford-on-Avon, April 23, 1960
13. Fundador, Stratford-on-Avon, April 23, 1960
14. Queen’s Terrace, Plumpton, October 10, 1960
14. Queen’s Terrace, Plumpton, October 10, 1960
15. Anner Loch, Fontwell, December 26, 1960
15. Anner Loch, Fontwell, December 26, 1960
16. Anner Loch, Hurst Park, January 4, 1961
16. Anner Loch, Hurst Park, January 4, 1961