[1][2] In his mid teens he was apprenticed to the trainer Tom Cannon at Danebury, and rode his first winner in 1876.

[3] Marsh's patrons included the King Edward VII and the Duke of Hamilton, providing Watts with a string of top class rides.

Watts was less fortunate with the Prince's second Derby winner, Diamond Jubilee, who loathed the jockey and tried to attack him before the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

[3] Watts was also successful when riding for other owners and trainers including Mathew Dawson and John Porter for whom he rode the Derby winners Ladas and Sainfoin respectively.

[3] Watts finally retired in 1900 and set himself up as a trainer at Newmarket, where his patrons included the King.