JOCKEY PROFILES

BILL DUNCAN

Bill Duncan started his successful career as an apprentice jockey winning at Mentone in 1916. In 1918 as an 18 year-old he won the Coongy Handicap, his first important race. Only about a month later Bill Duncan won his first Melbourne Cup. He was chosen because he was one of the few jockeys who could make Night Watch’s weight of 6st 9lb (42 kg).
Bill Duncan won many major races with the 1925 AJC Derby win his most sensational ride. His horse Manfred was left 100 meters at the barrier but still managed to win. He set a long standing record by winning 11 Melbourne Jockey Premierships which was later broken by Roy Higgins.
Being a natural lightweight jockey Bill Duncan was one of Australia’s most successful riders in the inter-war period. After a serious fall from Rose Valais he retired in 1933.

Some Achievements:

- winner of 893 races
- winner of 2 Melbourne Cups
- winner of 2 Caulfield Cups
- winner of 1 Sydney Cup
- winner of 2 Australian Cups
- winner of 74 stakes races
- winner of numerous major handicaps
- winner of numerous weight-for-age races
- winner of 11 Melbourne Jockey Premierships

Some of the horses Bill Duncan rode:

- Night Watch
- Rose Valais