FeatureStory of Horseracing
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How a son of slaves was mocked and abused by his peers - but then imitated forever
Peter Thomas recalls Willie Simms and a race-riding revolution in part five of our series
Peter ThomasSenior features writer
Through 2025, the Racing Post will be telling the history of racing through the stories of the 20 most significant races ever run. In part five, Peter Thomas explores how pioneering US jockey Willie Simms transformed race-riding.
Parts 1-4:
Part one: The day racing changed forever: how the 1780 Derby sparked a 250-year turf revolution
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Published on inThe Story Of Horseracing In 20 Races
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Copymore inThe Story Of Horseracing In 20 Races
- The Cheltenham Gold Cup transformed and Britain v Ireland ignited - all thanks to a young trainer who would become a legend
- The most dramatic and sensational race ever run - with tragic consequences that left racing under siege
- 'The killer of the English' - Gladiateur and the day Britain lost control of its greatest race
- The dust-up to end all dust-ups that brought 150,000 to the Knavesmire - with not a public hanging in sight
- The Grand National didn't start in 1839 - this is the true story of racing's greatest race
more inThe Story Of Horseracing In 20 Races
- The Cheltenham Gold Cup transformed and Britain v Ireland ignited - all thanks to a young trainer who would become a legend
- The most dramatic and sensational race ever run - with tragic consequences that left racing under siege
- 'The killer of the English' - Gladiateur and the day Britain lost control of its greatest race
- The dust-up to end all dust-ups that brought 150,000 to the Knavesmire - with not a public hanging in sight
- The Grand National didn't start in 1839 - this is the true story of racing's greatest race