Billy Nevrett

1906 - 1992

Billy was born in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Chorley, Lancashire on March 26, 1906, and, aged 14, served his time with Dobson Peacock at Middleham from 1920. He remained with the Peacock Stables through three generations.

He was the son of a stableman who worked for trainer Harry Hall at Middleham. One of a family of eleven, his father later went blind.

In 1948, he bought Patrick Brompton Hall for around £20,000 and opened it to the public. He was then known as 'the Squire'.

Having sold it in 1957, he turned to training at Ripon, but this was unsuccessful and he retired.

Billy had a formidable big race record including three Derby wins; Owen Tudor (1941), Ocean Swell (1944) & Dante (1945). He also won the Oaks in 1948 on Masaka.

He won his 1,000th race in 1940 on Thixendale at Thirsk.

He served as a private in the R.A.O.C. during the war.

Billy's first winner was Stockwood at Carlisle on July 2, 1924

His last winner came on Setting Star at Manchester in the last race of the 1956 season.

Standing just 4ft 11ins, he rode a total of 2,068 winners.

Billy died at Northallerton on May 9, 1992, aged 86.

Classic winners:

Derby: Owen Tudor (1941), Ocean Swell (1944), Dante (1945)

Oaks: Masaka (1948)

Other big race winners:

1928: Northumberland Plate – Primrose League

1931: Chester Vase – Sandwich

1931: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Disarmament

1932: Park Hill Stakes – Fury

1932: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Denbigh (dead-heat)

1933: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Denbigh

1935: Manchester Cup – Moneybox

1936: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Young England

1936: Manchester November Handicap – Newtown Ford

1937: Chester Vase – Merry Matthew

1937: Yorkshire Cup – Silversol

1938: Northumberland Plate – Union Jack

1938: Yorkshire Oaks – Joyce W

1939: Lingfield Derby Trial – Hypnotist

1939: Goodwood Stakes – Valedictory

1940: Manchester November Handicap – Beinn Dearg

1941: July Cup – Comatas

1941: Portland Handicap – Comatas

1944: Middle Park Stakes – Dante

1944: Champion Stakes – Hycilla

1946: Lowther Stakes – Southernwood

1948: Chester Cup – Billet

1948: Cumberland Plate – Good Company

1948: Lancashire Oaks – Young Entry

1949: Ebor Handicap – Miraculous Atom

1950: Zetland Gold Cup – Near Way

1950: Carlisle Bell – Pharos Light

1950: Yorkshire Cup – Miraculous Atom

1951: Thirsk Classic Trial – Zill-Us-Sultan

1951: Zetland Gold Cup – Socrates

1951: Manchester Cup – Socrates

1951: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Border Legend

1951: Manchester November Handicap – Good Taste

1952: Dee Stakes – Torcross

1952: Cesarewitch Handicap – Flush Royal

1953: Lancashire Oaks – Harvest Festival

1953: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Torcross

1954: Gimcrack Stakes – Precast

In Ireland:

1936: Irish Oaks – Silversol

1954: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Pantomime Queen