James Wilson

James "Old Jim" Wilson (26 December 1828 – November 1917) was a racehorse trainer in Victoria, Australia, founder of the historic St Albans Stud in Geelong, and trainer of the 1873 Melbourne Cup winner Don Juan and 1876 winner Briseis. His older son James Wilson, Jr. (c. 1856 – 16 November 1935) captained the Geelong Football Club and as "Young Jim Wilson" trained 1899 Cup winner Merriwee. His younger son William Wilson (c. 1859 – 3 May 1890) was the jockey who rode Don Juan to victory in the 1873 Cup.

History Wilson was born in Yorkshire and emigrated to Victoria in 1845, and was for a while engaged at Deep Creek, looking after a horse named Paul Jones. He moved to the Hamilton district, where he was involved in horseracing, and won the Great Western Steeplechase in 1859 and 1860. He brought Musidora and Ebor to Melbourne in 1862, and ran them in the 1862 Melbourne Cup, Musidora coming second to Archer. She also ran in the Melbourne Cups of 1864, 1865 and 1866, and was the dam of Briseis. Ebor was owned by Captain Lyons who raced as "J. C. James"; Wilson took her to Adelaide, where she won the 1865 Adelaide Cup. He trained Lapdog for J. Gilbert which ran a close second to Nimblefoot in the 1870 Melbourne Cup. He had another close second the following year with Romula for Joe "Leviathan" "King of the Ring" Thompson. who installed C. Leslie Macdonald as manager. Wilson then rented "Kingston estate" at Queenscliff, where he trained a small number of horses, including Nitre and Reaper. This stables would become the nucleus of his son James Wilson, Jr.'s stables "Bonny Vale". After his horse Blinker failed in the Victoria Derby of October 1904 Wilson and his jockey Conquest were called before the stewards and cautioned. Blinker came a good third in the Melbourne Cup a few days later, adding credence to the stewards' suspicions. Wilson then retired from racing.

William Wilson (c. 1859 – 3 May 1890) was a jockey; his most notable ride was on Don Juan, which he rode to victory in the 1873 Melbourne Cup.

James Wilson, Jr. (c. 1856 – 16 November 1935) also rode as a jockey, beginning on New Year's Day 1869, when, weighing and dubbed "Young Jim" Wilson, he competed at Flemington. He soon became well known, but was not of a slim build like his brother and turned to Australian rules football, playing for Geelong, which he captained in 1878 and 1879.

After seeing the successes of his sons, James Wilson (senior) purchased "Frankfurt" estate for them as a racetrack. He then helped James Wilson Jr. purchase the adjoining "Kingston estate" and "Bonny Vale" at Queenscliff and achieved considerable success as a trainer of thoroughbred horses. Notable wins included: Australian Cup: Pendil (1909) AJC Metropolitan Handicap: Sir Andrew (1923) Oakleigh Plate: Perspective (1926) AJC St Leger: Sir Andrew (1923) Brimming and Monodia VRC St Leger: Silver King (1885); Danaus (1911); Nautical (1921) For Herbert Power: Sydney Cup: Diffidence (1899) Melbourne Cup: Merriwee (1899) VRC Oaks: Wilari (1911) VRC St Leger: Wilari (1912) Victoria Derby: Merriwee (1899), Wilari (1911) His own horses included: Ascot Vale Stakes: Newhaven (1896) Australian Cup: The Rover (1921), part owner Caulfield Guineas: Ringmaster (1885); and Danaus (1910) Caulfield Futurity Stakes: Palmer (1900) AJC Champagne Stakes: Outlook (1918)) Debutant Stakes: Scotland Maribyrnong Plate: Newhaven (1895); and Philio (1910) AJC Metropolitan Handicap: Sir Andrew (1923) Oakleigh Plate: Perspective (1926); later sold to S. P. Mackay for 2,000 guineas. AJC St Leger: Sir Andrew VRC St Leger: Silver King (1885); Danaus (1911); and Nautical (1921) AJC Sires Produce Stakes: Outlook (1918). He was then sold to S. P. Mackay for 5,000 guineas. who was disqualified for a year after failing to start on Quiver at the Oaks Stakes (1894). Other jockeys for the Bonny Vale stables were James E. Pike, Dempsey, W. Duncan, R. Lewis, A Wilson and A. Fullarton.

Strong of build and will like his father, James Wilson, Jr. was reticent, shunned publicity, and formed few friendships. He was not one to start a fight, but if provoked would not step back, and could use his fists to good effect. Like his father he could be abrupt and overbearing but on the right occasion could be relaxed and entertaining. He died in a private hospital after some months of poor health. His remains were buried in a private ceremony at the Point Lonsdale Cemetery.

Family James Wilson (26 December 1828 – November 1917) married Esther Amelia (c. 1841 – 19 February 1872). Among their children were: Eldest daughter (Anna) Maria Wilson (c. 1853 – 14 February 1946) married Edward Rogers Sparrow (c. 1847 – 1 October 1918) on 18 April 1882 James Wilson, Jr. (c. 1856 – 16 November 1935) married Jessie Cunningham ( – ), daughter of George Cunningham previously MLA for South Grant, on 10 December 1884. They had a home "Bonny Vale" in Ocean Grove William Wilson (c. 1859 – 3 May 1890)