LATE WILLIAM CLARKE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 41

LATE WILLIAM CLARKE.

The late William Clarke, whose death occurred in Christchurch on Friday last, was in his clay a most ' accomplished horseman, on tho flat and over hurdles and fences. Ha won tho Grand National Steeplechase of 1891 on Freeman, and also rode Ahua to victory in 1832, v.'Hen lie completed tho double with Kulnino in tho National Hurdles. In 189-1 he won tho National Steeples on Norton. When Social Pest won the National Hurdles of 1803 Clarke was in the saddle, and he steered Record Reign when the Castor gelding put up tho sterling performance of winning under 12.12 in 3min <l6 <i-ssec—a record which stood for several years His most notable- achievements in the caddie were ■accomplished _at Riccarton, and amongst important wins gained there was his victory on Cla,nranald in the Stewards' Handicap of 1591. The New Zealand Oaks Stakes waa won on Miisa Delaval, tho Great Easter on Cannonshot, and 'Champagne Stakes on Alt-nir. Clarke won the D.J.C. Handicap on Clanranaldi, D.T.C. Champagne Stakes on Neroli, Birthday Handicap on Skirmisher-, Hawke's Bay Guineas on Clanranald, and also scored many other wins of minor importance. Ho had a fine sent in the saddle—the beau ideal seat of the old school—and on retiring from that branch of the business showed marked ability as a trainer, until a serious illness unfortunately overtook him some few years ago. Ha trained Euros when that horse won the Grand National Steeples of 1908, and he also prepared tho Euroclydcn gelding 1 when ha won "the Wanganui Steeples of 1906. Tho lata W. Clarke was of a quiet, unassuming nature, and his death will create great regret amongsk a large circle of friends.