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Willie Carson rode his first winner at Catterick in July 1962 and went on to be champion jockey five times – 1972, 1973, 1978, 1980 and 1983. He won 17 Classic races, including the Derby in 1979, 1980, 1989 and 1994 (the latter at the age of 51). His best season was in 1990, riding 187 winners, including six winners in a day at Newcastle. He went on to retire at the age of 54. In 1980 he had taken over a stud and became the only jockey in the 20th Century to ride a winner that he had bred. He became a captain on BBC TV’s Question of Sport and was chairman of Swindon Town football team (2001-2007). He also appeared on ‘I’m a Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here’.
