The death was reported last week of William (Bill) Berkeley Leach at the age of nearly 92. Bill Leach was, for many years, the owner and manager of Meddler Stud, situated in Kentford, on the outskirts of Newmarket and came from an established racing family. A successful businessman, he was also active in local politics. Although not seen about as much of late, he had inherited his family's jovial and clubbable nature, and for many years, was an amusing and generous host.
The Stud had been laid out by his grandfather, Felix Leach (1868-1952) who had come down to Newmarket, from Wigan, to assist Matt Dawson at Health House Stables during St Simon's time, and he later assisted Richard Marsh at Egerton House, when Persimmon won the Derby for the King in 1896. The following year Felix Leach commenced training, on his own account, at Graham Place.
An enormously popular figure, well known for breeding gamecocks and fox terriers, Felix had three sons, all of whom were apprenticed to him and rode winners. Felix junior died when he was only 31, but Jack Leach (1901-1972) rode a Classic winner (Adam's Apple – 2,000 Guineas), trained for 20 years and wrote possibly the most amusing book ever written on racing, “Sods I have cut on the turf”, eventually handing over his training business to his assistant, a young Bernard Van Cutsem.
The third son was Henry Leach (1908-1970), Bill's father, always known as Chubb. Once out of his time, he was stable jockey to Capt. Boyd Rochford for four years, until, in 1931, increasing weight cut short his career in the saddle, and he started training at Queensbury Lodge. Mickey The Greek (July Cup, Nunthorpe and King's Stand) owned by Lt. Col. N.E. “Nat” Freeze of Lanwades Stud was probably his best horse. On his father's death, in 1953, he ceased training and took over the management of Meddler Stud.
Chubb died in 1970 and his son, Bill, took over at Meddler Stud. Despite riding out with his father he didn't follow the family into training like his father, uncles and cousin Geoff Wragg. He operated Meddler as a stud farm with stallions such as Will Somers, Nelcius, Most Welcome, Pretendre and Tutankhamen (who was imported from America) were the main stays. Meddler was also one of the first large-scale boarding studs in Newmarket, for many years housing Sheikh Maktoum al Maktoum's Gainsborough Stud yearlings.
A large part of the stud was sold at the turn of the century and is now a housing estate, but the main part of Meddler now forms part of neighboring Lanwades Stud. A few of Grandpa Felix Leach's grey gamecocks lingered on, in a feral state, in the shelter belts, until the houses were built, but with their demise and Bill's death, a Newmarket racing dynasty comes to an end.
Bill is remembered warmly for his uplifting laugh and good humour, his gentle honesty and warmth to all those around him. He leaves a wife, Bente, and a son Charles and daughter Tania, son and daughter-in-law plus grandchildren Zena, Rex, Lily and Zac.
The funeral will be at All Saint's Church in Newmarket at 3pm on Thursday 24th April and afterwards at the Jockey Club Rooms. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The National Horseracing Museum.
— MP and KR
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