William Pike (jockey)

William Pike
Nickname	The Wizard, Willie
Occupation	Jockey
Born	(1986-03-20) 20 March 1986 (age 39)
Nationality	Australian
Height	148 cm (4 ft 10 in)
Weight	51 kg (112 lb)

William Pike is an Australian Thoroughbred racing jockey. Having spent most of his career racing in his home state of Western Australia, Pike is widely considered to be the state's leading jockey. ^[1] He is nicknamed "The Wizard" due to his ability to produce winning rides. ^[2] Pike's great-great grandfather, Jim Pike, was also a jockey, best known for riding the legendary Phar Lap to victory in the 1930 Melbourne Cup. ^[3]

Early life

Pike was born in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia, and grew up in the small country town of Coolgardie. ^[2] His first race was at Esperance racecourse in 2002. ^[3]

Notable wins

Pike has won more than 3000 horse races across his career, with over 100 of those wins being in Group races. ^[4] Some of his most notable Group wins include:

Perth

• Perth Cup - (4) - Crown Prosecutor (2005), ^[5] Real Love (2015), ^[6] Mississippi Delta (2020), ^[7] Casino Seventeen (2024) ^[8]
• Railway Stakes - (4) - Galaxy Star (2018), Regal Power (2019), Inspirational Girl (2020), Western Empire (2021) ^[9]
• Winterbottom Stakes - (3) - Ellicorsam (2004), Hadabeclorka (2010), Graceful Girl (2021) ^[10]
• WATC Derby - (3) ^[a] - Cats Fun (2006), Grand Journey (2008), Dreamaway (2011) ^[11]
• Kingston Town Classic - (2) - Perfect Reflection (2015), Arcadia Queen (2018) ^[12]
• The Gold Rush - (1) - The Astrologist (2022) ^[13]

Melbourne

• All-Star Mile - (1) - Regal Power (2020) ^[14]
• Caulfield Guineas - (1) - Ole Kirk (2020) ^[15]
• Caulfield Stakes - (1) - Arcadia Queen (2020) ^[16]
• William Reid Stakes - (1) - Masked Crusader (2021) ^[17]
• Oakleigh Plate - (1) - Celebrity Queen (2021) ^[18]

Brisbane

• J. J. Atkins - (1) - Sheeza Belter (2022) ^[19]
• Sires' Produce Stakes - (1) - Sheeza Belter (2022)
• Queensland Oaks - (1) - Gypsy Goddess (2022) ^[20]

Sydney

• Randwick City Stakes - (1) - Zeyrek (2022) ^[21]
• Phar Lap Stakes - (1) - Mr Mozart (2022) ^[21]

Hong Kong

• Bauhinia Sprint Trophy - (1) - Craig's Dragon (2010) ^[22]

Notes

1. Pike has won the WATC Derby 11 times, but only three of which were during Group 1 status.

References

1. Hatton, Jett (10 December 2024). "WA jockey William Pike breaks wrist after falling off e-scooter". Herald Sun .
2. Mennell, Jason (5 October 2019). "How Coolgardie boy William Pike became WA horse racing's wizard". Kalgoorlie Miner .
3. Harvey, Neale (4 October 2023). "Pike's brilliant career built from humble beginnings in 2002". Kalgoorlie Miner .
4. "William Pike racing profile".
5. "Crown Prosecutor claims Perth Cup". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 2 January 2005.
6. Santarelli, Luke (1 January 2015). "Real Love victorious in 2015 Perth Cup". PerthNow .
7. Rooney, Jay (4 January 2020). "Jockey William Pike claims Perth Cup with remarkable last-to-first ride on Mississippi Delta". The West Australian .
8. Cosgriff, Darcy (2 January 2024). "Pike wins fourth Perth Cup". Racing.com .
9. Waters, Brad (15 November 2022). "Champion WA jockey William Pike chasing fifth consecutive Railway Stakes win". Herald Sun .
10. Rooney, Jay (27 November 2021). "History beckons for WA racing's dream team after Graceful Girl's Winterbottom Stakes win at Ascot". The West Australian .
11. Rooney, Jay (12 November 2011). "Wizard's riding high". The West Australian .
12. Payne, Clinton (5 December 2024). "'Little hungry and little angry': Pike drops to 50kg for Northerly bid". Racenet.
13. "Champion jockey William Pike turns form around to win The Gold Rush at Ascot on The Astrologist". The West Australian .
14. Ractliffe, Damien (14 March 2020). "Coin toss scores Pike the $5 million All-Star Mile". The Sydney Morning Herald .
15. Ractliffe, Damien (10 October 2020). "Pike and Ole Kirk stamp their class in Guineas triumph". 1116 SEN .
16. Rooney, Jay (10 October 2020). "Star WA mare Arcadia Queen dethrones Russian Camelot with upset win in Group 1 Caulfield Stakes". The West Australian .
17. Ractliffe, Damien (19 March 2021). "Masked Crusader powers to dashing William Reid victory". The Sydney Morning Herald .
18. Di Iorio, Carl (20 February 2021). "Oakleigh Plate dead heat". Racing.com .
19. Eddy, Andrew (11 June 2022). "Sheeza Belter scores in J.J. Atkins". Racing.com .
20. "Gypsy Goddess wins Queensland Oaks". Racing.com . 4 June 2022.
21. Thomas, Ray (12 March 2022). "Phar Lap Stakes: WA jockey William Pike picks up another stakes win in Sydney with victory of Mr Mozart". The Advertiser .
22. Rooney, Jay (12 January 2010). "Harvey return on hold". The West Australian .