Billy Cook

Who is Billy Cook?

William Henry ‘Billy’ Cook was a famous Australian jockey.

Billy earned the nickname "Last-Race Cookie" following his riding of the winner in the last race 13 Saturdays in succession in Sydney. He was also known as "The Champ", due to his exquisite riding skills.

He won six Sydney jockeys' premierships during a distinguished career riding in Australia and overseas.

Some of the achievements during his career included winning the 1941 and 1945 Melbourne Cups, the 1930 Caulfield Cup, the 1953 Sydney Cup, and the 1954 CB Fisher Plate.

Perhaps his most famous victory was defeating Phar Lap on Mollison in the 1929 Chelmsford Stakes.

He officially retired from riding in 1959. His son Peter was also a successful jockey.

Cook was posthumously inducted in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2002.