At Crown Perth on Saturday night, William Pike added another chapter to his storied career, claiming his 15th Perth Jockey Premiership. It was a season marked by injury, comeback and ultimately class, hallmarks of a rider that is the symbol of the state’s racing identity.
Despite a season interrupted by a broken wrist and missed Ascot carnival rides, Pike surged late to clinch the title with 106 ½ wins. His comeback was aided by Chris Parnham’s unfortunate injury, but Pike returned with trademark timing and tenacity.
Born in Kalgoorlie and raised in Coolgardie, Pike’s journey from the bush tracks of regional Western Australia to the pinnacle of national racing is a quintessential Australian sporting story.
But with Pike’s latest milestone, a wider question looms. Where does the rider, affectionately known as “The Wizard” because of his uncanny ability to win from impossible positions and elevate horses beyond expectations, rank among the all-time greats of WA racing?
It’s fraught with danger to compare champion riders across different eras. The racing landscape has evolved and legends like Tiger Moore, Eric Treffone, Frank Treen, JJ Miller, Rod Kemp, Mark Sestich, Paul Harvey and more, dominated in their time and often under vastly different circumstances.
Yet even with these caveats, Pike’s longevity, consistency, adaptability and sheer volume of success locally and nationally, places him firmly among the elite, if not at the very top. His achievements stand out both in numbers and impact.
Pike’s 15 premierships are unmatched in WA. Boasting over 3000 career wins, including more than 100 Group victories, his racing resume reads like a masterclass in consistency and class.
He’s conquered WA’s biggest and most prestigious races multiple times including the Railway Stakes, the Winterbottom Stakes, the Northerly Stakes and the Perth Cup.
He’s also won major races in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, showcasing his versatility and elite skill on a national stage.
One person who has had a birds-eye view of Pike’s career has been leading trainer Grant Williams. Alongside his wife Alana, few partnerships in WA racing have been as successful-or as enduring.
Their formidable relationship has delivered countless feature race victories and defined an era of WA racing dominance.
It’s no surprise what the Williams’ think of Pike. They’ve seen the magic up close-time and time again-when the stakes were at their highest.
“Firstly, he’s just a competitive beast, he just hates getting beaten,” Williams said to Racing WA.
“That would be like one of his biggest attributes and also his feel for a horse, the way he can get them to go through their gears.
“He’s the best I’ve seen by a mile; he should be in the Hall of Fame.
“We’ve been lucky, our success has been on the back of Pikey.
“We kicked off our training career when he started to get going.
“We’re the beneficiaries of that, by far.”
Another who is eminently qualified to assess Pike’s standing is Neville Parnham, WA’s elder statesman of training and a member of the WA Racing Hall of Fame.
Parnham has had a front-row seat to the evolution of jockey talent in WA and with a record 14 Trainers’ Premierships and three jockey sons-Steven, Brad and Chris, his voice carries immense weight in any discussion about racing greatness.
“I think he is right there at the top of the tree,” Parnham said.
“I would say the amount of winners he has ridden, the amount of big race winners he’s ridden and the consistency that’s he’s ridden, puts him there right up with the best of them, no question.
“I think his record speaks for itself.”
Behind Pike lending a guiding hand is long-time manager, Dale Verhagen.
He's seen Pike's evolution up close and personal and understands better than most what sets him apart.
"Over the journey I've seen him mature," Verhagen said.
"He's the most competitive client I've ever had.
"He doesn't handle losing too well, it's a weakness but also a strength.
"He wants to win everything and that makes him who he is.
"What also you have to consider is his resilience.
"The last couple of seasons he has been knocked around by injury.
"It hasn't been easy, but he's found a way to get through and be successful."
WA has been privileged to produce champion jockeys across all eras-Treen, Moore, Treffone and in modern times Damien Oliver, Damian Lane and Mark Zhara, that have shaped the sport and inspired generations.
Pike has continued to carry that torch and by the end of his career, he won’t just be part of WA’s elite-he may well be the finest ever.
Julio Santarelli
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