Billy Nevett
1906 - 1992
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
Standing just 4ft 11ins, he rode a total of 2,068 winners.
Billy died at Northallerton on May 9, 1992, aged 86.
Billy died at Northallerton on May 9, 1992, aged 86.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Derby: Owen Tudor (1941), Ocean Swell (1944), Dante (1945)
Derby: Owen Tudor (1941), Ocean Swell (1944), Dante (1945)
Oaks: Masaka (1948)
Oaks: Masaka (1948)
Other big race winners:
Other big race winners:
1928: Northumberland Plate – Primrose League
1928: Northumberland Plate – Primrose League
1931: Chester Vase – Sandwich
1931: Chester Vase – Sandwich
1931: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Disarmament
1931: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Disarmament
1932: Park Hill Stakes – Fury
1932: Park Hill Stakes – Fury
1932: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Denbigh (dead-heat)
1932: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Denbigh (dead-heat)
1933: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Denbigh
1933: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Denbigh
1935: Manchester Cup – Moneybox
1935: Manchester Cup – Moneybox
1936: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Young England
1936: Liverpool Autumn Cup – Young England
1936: Manchester November Handicap – Newtown Ford
1936: Manchester November Handicap – Newtown Ford
1937: Chester Vase – Merry Matthew
1937: Chester Vase – Merry Matthew
1937: Yorkshire Cup – Silversol
1937: Yorkshire Cup – Silversol
1938: Northumberland Plate – Union Jack
1938: Northumberland Plate – Union Jack
1938: Yorkshire Oaks – Joyce W
1938: Yorkshire Oaks – Joyce W
1939: Lingfield Derby Trial – Hypnotist
1939: Lingfield Derby Trial – Hypnotist
1939: Goodwood Stakes – Valedictory
1939: Goodwood Stakes – Valedictory
1940: Manchester November Handicap – Beinn Dearg
1940: Manchester November Handicap – Beinn Dearg
1941: July Cup – Comatas
1941: July Cup – Comatas
1941: Portland Handicap – Comatas
1941: Portland Handicap – Comatas
1944: Middle Park Stakes – Dante
1944: Middle Park Stakes – Dante
1944: Champion Stakes – Hycilla
1944: Champion Stakes – Hycilla
1946: Lowther Stakes – Southernwood
1946: Lowther Stakes – Southernwood
1948: Chester Cup – Billet
1948: Chester Cup – Billet
1948: Cumberland Plate – Good Company
1948: Cumberland Plate – Good Company
1948: Lancashire Oaks – Young Entry
1948: Lancashire Oaks – Young Entry
1949: Ebor Handicap – Miraculous Atom
1949: Ebor Handicap – Miraculous Atom
1950: Zetland Gold Cup – Near Way
1950: Zetland Gold Cup – Near Way
1950: Carlisle Bell – Pharos Light
1950: Carlisle Bell – Pharos Light
1950: Yorkshire Cup – Miraculous Atom
1950: Yorkshire Cup – Miraculous Atom
1951: Thirsk Classic Trial – Zill-Us-Sultan
1951: Thirsk Classic Trial – Zill-Us-Sultan
1951: Zetland Gold Cup – Socrates
1951: Zetland Gold Cup – Socrates
1951: Manchester Cup – Socrates
1951: Manchester Cup – Socrates
1951: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Border Legend
1951: Great Voltigeur Stakes – Border Legend
1951: Manchester November Handicap – Good Taste
1951: Manchester November Handicap – Good Taste
1952: Dee Stakes – Torcross
1952: Dee Stakes – Torcross
1952: Cesarewitch Handicap – Flush Royal
1952: Cesarewitch Handicap – Flush Royal
1953: Lancashire Oaks – Harvest Festival
1953: Lancashire Oaks – Harvest Festival
1953: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Torcross
1953: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Torcross
1954: Gimcrack Stakes – Precast
1954: Gimcrack Stakes – Precast
In Ireland:
In Ireland:
1936: Irish Oaks – Silversol
1936: Irish Oaks – Silversol
1954: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Pantomime Queen
1954: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Pantomime Queen