Bustlin’ Bill still leads a formidable army

Press, 24 April 1980, Page 2 (Supplement)

Bustlin’ Bill still leads a formidable army

By

J. J. BOYLE

The judge settled for a dead-heat in the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Grandstand! Handicap at Wingatui on October 4, 1947. But that did little, if anything, to dim young Bill Skelton’s pleasure from the result. The West Coast-born, Orari-based teenager was on Boolamskee, which forced Lord Dundonald and the redoubtable Lex Hare to a dead-heat.

It was young Skelton’s thirtieth race ride, and his first win.

In those many years between then and yesterday, when he kicked home his 2000th winner, Skelton has. become one of New Zea-j land’s foremost figures on the turf. '

I To back his skills as a (race rider he has personal ! qualities which have contributed immeasurably towards la brighter image for racing generally. “Bustlin Bill’s army’ of “ten bob” punters was just 1 that — an army. With the arrival of the T.A.8., hundreds who did not know the difference be-: tween a fetlock and forelock came to know about the prowess of Bill Skelton, the. lad who . dedicated himself : single-mindedly, vigorously, and with developing judgment and confidence to the ait of landing more winners I than some formidable rivals, j “Couple up the Skelton’s in the double” was a piece jof advice often heard when ; Bill and his younger broth-! lers were based in the South!

i Island and rode at the same 1 meeting. - The names and the form; 5 of the Skelton mounts were j often of little importance. It was enough that the horses. |would go out in the hands! t'of these purposeful young horsemen about to emerge ! from the shadows of the! 1 Ellis’s, and the Broughton’s, -i Bill Skelton was given the ( opportunity to fly, the flag > for New Zealand in Australia and further afield, andi uNew Zealand could not have! !had a better ambassador in • such a field. I > A measure of his peronsal Equalities and professional skills was Lester Piggott’s : contribution of the foreword > to the Bill Skelton biography i published in 1976; and the ■'disappointment voiced by lithe famous English jockey

ion his flying visit to New [Zealand in March that he iwould not be able to ride in a race against his old friend at Ellerslie. . Earlier milestones in the (Bill Skelton career: I First win: Boolamskee, Dunedin Jockey Club’s Grandstand Handicap, October 1947 (dead-heat with Lord Dundonald).

Hundredth win: Boost. Geraldine Racing Club’s iPresident’s Handicap 1950.

1000th win: Lord Ted, Gisborne Tolaga Bay Handicap, 1966.

First win on North Island course: Langham, W.R.C. Handicap 1949. First Australian win: On Parade, Wollongong Cup, Kembla Grange, 1959. Record season: 124 wins 1967-68.