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He raced to his last hurdle

It was on the second day in the first event of the annual Richmond River races at Casino that a tragedy occurred in 1859, with jockey William Christopher Wilson losing his life.


It was a hurdle race with a prize of 35 sovereigns and the day had started out fine, with great expectations for Vengeance, who had won the same race at Grafton and Bucking Bob, the other favourite who eventually won the race.


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However, it was at the last of six hurdles that Wilson, on the horse, Unknown, attempted to clear the barrier. The horse hit the top of the hurdle with his front feet and pitched forward. The poor horse landed on his head and broke his neck, dying instantly.


It didn't fare well for Wilson either. He was thrown from the horse, landing on his back. It got worse, with the gathered crowds witnessing the back end of the dead horse coming down on him in a deadweight.


William's gravestone telling of how he was killed in the horse race and that many contributed to his gravestone. Photo: Samantha Elley
William's gravestone telling of how he was killed in the horse race and that many contributed to his gravestone. Photo: Samantha Elley

He was still alive and the jockey asked for someone to lift his head, with blood pouring from his nose and mouth and appearing in obvious agony. There was nothing anyone could do for him and he eventually died 10 minutes after the accident.


The hurdles were abandoned for the rest of the day, in respect of the tragedy. A subscription of 80 pounds was also raised on the same day to go to the family.


Born on 6 June, 1838 in the Port Macquarie area to Joseph and Sophia Wilson, William was only 21 years of age when his body was finally laid to rest in the Casino cemetery.


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