Trainer (T)

Also Known As:  WG; The Sage of Compton

Associated Places:  The Yews, Compton, Berks

Description:

Born in East Ilsley, William Stevens started training in 1871. Described by George Lambton as 'the most able and patient of men', he never trained a Classic winner in the trueist sense, but did all the preparation for Merry Hampton, only for the colt to be whisked away a fortnight before the Derby, However, another horse he trained, Martley, was placed third in that Classic of 1887 and four years later Martenhurst was also third when making his three-year-old debut at Epsom at 50-1.

Other successful campaigners from The Yews included Comfrey and Sailor Prince (Cambridgeshire Handicap), Despair (Royal Hunt Cup) and Bentworth (Gimcrack Stakes).