Billy Newnes
William Anthony Paul Newnes was born in Liverpool on December 6, 1959, and enjoyed a sensational year in 1982 when he became champion apprentice with 57 winners and became the first apprentice since Joe Mercer in 1953 to win an English classic, winning the Oaks on Time Charter having already won the Champion Stakes on the same horse. He also won the European Apprentice Championship the same year.
William Anthony Paul Newnes was born in Liverpool on December 6, 1959, and enjoyed a sensational year in 1982 when he became champion apprentice with 57 winners and became the first apprentice since Joe Mercer in 1953 to win an English classic, winning the Oaks on Time Charter having already won the Champion Stakes on the same horse. He also won the European Apprentice Championship the same year.
But he'd used all his luck up at once.
But he'd used all his luck up at once.
Just a few months later, in January, 1984, he was suspended for three years by the Jockey Club for receiving a 'gift' of a thousand pounds for passing on the information that Valuable Witness would not act on the going in the 1983 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Northern punter Harry Bardsley, who paid the money, was warned off for 15 years.
Just a few months later, in January, 1984, he was suspended for three years by the Jockey Club for receiving a 'gift' of a thousand pounds for passing on the information that Valuable Witness would not act on the going in the 1983 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Northern punter Harry Bardsley, who paid the money, was warned off for 15 years.
Newnes was in tears after he left the inquiry saying 'I will have to move house with my wife and baby. I don't know what I'll do."
Newnes was in tears after he left the inquiry saying 'I will have to move house with my wife and baby. I don't know what I'll do."
He decided to move to Dusseldorf where he lived for six years and, announcing his retirement from race-riding, moved back to Newmarket where he had taken a position as work rider for Godolphin. From that point he spent his summers in Wood Ditton and his winters in Dubai as part of the Godolphin team.
He decided to move to Dusseldorf where he lived for six years and, announcing his retirement from race-riding, moved back to Newmarket where he had taken a position as work rider for Godolphin. From that point he spent his summers in Wood Ditton and his winters in Dubai as part of the Godolphin team.
He said at the time "As far as race-riding is concerned, that's all over now and I am hanging up my boots, at least in Europe. I suppose it is possible that I might get a ride or two in Dubai."
He said at the time "As far as race-riding is concerned, that's all over now and I am hanging up my boots, at least in Europe. I suppose it is possible that I might get a ride or two in Dubai."
Newnes said he had no regrets about giving up full-time race-riding. He added: "Now is the right time to quit, while I am still young enough to start something fresh. In recent months, I've not been getting the good rides every jockey needs to keep going."
Newnes said he had no regrets about giving up full-time race-riding. He added: "Now is the right time to quit, while I am still young enough to start something fresh. In recent months, I've not been getting the good rides every jockey needs to keep going."
Looking back on his ban, he said: "I was young and naive at the time, but I had no idea who this man was, and only spoke to him once, and then only briefly - but that was enough for the Jockey Club."
Looking back on his ban, he said: "I was young and naive at the time, but I had no idea who this man was, and only spoke to him once, and then only briefly - but that was enough for the Jockey Club."
The ban cost Newnes several cracks at several big races, including riding Time Charter in the Coronation Cup.
The ban cost Newnes several cracks at several big races, including riding Time Charter in the Coronation Cup.
He said: "You have to take the rough with the smooth, and there's bad luck and injustice in all walks of life."
He said: "You have to take the rough with the smooth, and there's bad luck and injustice in all walks of life."
That is true, but for one year - 1982 - young Billy's star shone brighter and higher than anyone's, and no one can ever take that away from him.
That is true, but for one year - 1982 - young Billy's star shone brighter and higher than anyone's, and no one can ever take that away from him.
Billy was nearly killed in a fall riding work on Silver Venture in July, 1983.
Billy was nearly killed in a fall riding work on Silver Venture in July, 1983.
His son, Lee, also became a jockey.
His son, Lee, also became a jockey.
Classic winner:
Classic winner:
Oaks: Time Charter (1982)
Oaks: Time Charter (1982)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1982: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Crime Of Passion
1982: Cherry Hinton Stakes – Crime Of Passion
1982: Sun Chariot Stakes – Time Charter
1982: Sun Chariot Stakes – Time Charter
1982: Champion Stakes – Time Charter
1982: Champion Stakes – Time Charter
1982: Cesarewitch Handicap – Double Dutch
1982: Cesarewitch Handicap – Double Dutch
1983: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Quilted
1983: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Quilted
1988: Old Newton Cup – Roushayd
1988: Old Newton Cup – Roushayd
1989: Greenham Stakes – Zayyani
1989: Greenham Stakes – Zayyani
1989: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Ala Hounak
1989: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Ala Hounak
1990: Zetland Gold Cup – Eradicate
1990: Zetland Gold Cup – Eradicate
1990: John’s Smith’s Magnet Cup – Eradicate
1990: John’s Smith’s Magnet Cup – Eradicate
In Ireland:
In Ireland:
1993: Meld Stakes – Lord Of the Flies
1993: Meld Stakes – Lord Of the Flies
In Germany:
In Germany:
1992: Deutsches Derby – Pik Konig
1992: Deutsches Derby – Pik Konig