Davies, Robert

photo courtesy John Griffiths

“I’m the one with no money,” was the reply given by Welsh National Hunt jockey R.A. (Bob) Davies when asked whether he was ever mistaken for the ‘other’ Bob Davies, who was champion jockey at the time.

Robert Arthur Davies was born in South Wales on February 11, 1942. He served his apprenticeship with John Beary, although it was Fred Winter’s Lambourn stable that he was given the best opportunities.

He was never destined to be first past the post on a prolific basis, his best season coming in 1970/71 with nine winners. Included among those nine was an Ascot success on far and away the best horse he ever rode, the great Pendil.

The race was the Valley Gardens Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for claiming jockeys on Thursday, October 8, 1970. It was the only occasion on which he rode Pendil in public and he didn’t waste the chance, bringing him home two and a half lengths clear of his nearest rival.

Bob averaged half a dozen winners over the next couple of seasons. He rode his last winner in the 1973/74 season, retiring shortly afterwards.