Ernie Johnson (jockey) 1979, 49 in 1980, 29 in 1981, 46 in 1982, to 27 in 1983. In the 1980 Epsom Oaks, Johnson rode The Dancer, on whom he had won a race at Newbury as a 2 year old, for Major Dick Hern. Hern's stable jockey, Willie Carson, also had the choice of Cheshire Oaks winner Shoot A Line and Musidora Stakes winner Bireme. He elected to ride Bireme, who won by 2 lengths from Vielle, with The Dancer in 3rd. Johnson made much of the running until two furlongs out and was possibly a shade unlucky - The Dancer was partially
William Higgs (jockey) William Higgs (jockey) William Arnold "Billy" Higgs (1880 - 1958) was a Thoroughbred horse racing jockey, trainer, owner and breeder, colloquially referred to as "Farmer Higgs". He was twice Champion Jockey of Britain. For the most successful period of his career, he was stable jockey to Sam Darling at Beckhampton. With Darling, he won the 1906 and 1907 flat jockeys' championship, and picked up his only British Classic - the 1907 2,000 Guineas on Slieve Gallion. He was a short priced favourite to follow up in the Derby, but the colt did not stay the distance and eventually finished third.