Robert Power
Robert Power
Robert Power
1920-2014
1920-2014
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Robert William Power had five victories under National Hunt rules in the mid-1950s, all of them in chases.
Robert William Power had five victories under National Hunt rules in the mid-1950s, all of them in chases.
Born in 1920, he had his first ride at Wincanton on Boxing Day 1951, when finishing third on Hazy Rays in the Downton Selling Handicap Hurdle. He had to wait more than two years for his first success. It finally came when Fill Gelt, trained by Joe Hartigan at Tarporley, won the Leek Chase at Uttoxeter on March 20, 1954, taking the lead two fences from home and staying on to beat Oakcliffe by four lengths.
Born in 1920, he had his first ride at Wincanton on Boxing Day 1951, when finishing third on Hazy Rays in the Downton Selling Handicap Hurdle. He had to wait more than two years for his first success. It finally came when Fill Gelt, trained by Joe Hartigan at Tarporley, won the Leek Chase at Uttoxeter on March 20, 1954, taking the lead two fences from home and staying on to beat Oakcliffe by four lengths.
Robert doubled his score at Stratford on April 8, when Tormond came with a strong late challenge to overhaul Michael Scudamore on Hop Leys and land the Ashorne Chase by three lengths. Sid Warren trained Tormond and also provided Robert with his third winner when Vasant won the Anderton Selling Handicap Chase at the Beaufort Hunt meeting two days later.
Robert doubled his score at Stratford on April 8, when Tormond came with a strong late challenge to overhaul Michael Scudamore on Hop Leys and land the Ashorne Chase by three lengths. Sid Warren trained Tormond and also provided Robert with his third winner when Vasant won the Anderton Selling Handicap Chase at the Beaufort Hunt meeting two days later.
Win number four came the following season, when Triple Torch, trained by Joe Hartigan, took the Shifnal Selling Handicap Chase for novice riders at Wolverhampton on November 22. Triple Torch was owned by Major J. I. Medlicott, who had ridden him to finish sixth in that year’s Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown.
Win number four came the following season, when Triple Torch, trained by Joe Hartigan, took the Shifnal Selling Handicap Chase for novice riders at Wolverhampton on November 22. Triple Torch was owned by Major J. I. Medlicott, who had ridden him to finish sixth in that year’s Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown.
Former jockey Edward Duffy trained Robert’s final winner, when Joe Holland comfortably landed the Werewolf Handicap Chase at Manchester on January 29, 1955, the winning margin being 15 lengths.
Former jockey Edward Duffy trained Robert’s final winner, when Joe Holland comfortably landed the Werewolf Handicap Chase at Manchester on January 29, 1955, the winning margin being 15 lengths.
It was not that common for a jockey to win their first five races over fences rather than hurdles, but sadly, Robert was unable to progress further. He had his final ride when finishing third on Bouquet Garni in the Boxgrove Novices’ Chase at Fontwell Park on Whit Saturday, May 28, 1955.
It was not that common for a jockey to win their first five races over fences rather than hurdles, but sadly, Robert was unable to progress further. He had his final ride when finishing third on Bouquet Garni in the Boxgrove Novices’ Chase at Fontwell Park on Whit Saturday, May 28, 1955.
Robert Power died in 2014.
Robert Power died in 2014.
His five winners were, in chronological order:
His five winners were, in chronological order:
1. Fill Gelt, Uttoxeter, March 20, 1954
1. Fill Gelt, Uttoxeter, March 20, 1954
2. Tormond, Stratford-on-Avon, April 8, 1954
2. Tormond, Stratford-on-Avon, April 8, 1954
3. Vasant, Beaufort Hunt, April 10, 1954
3. Vasant, Beaufort Hunt, April 10, 1954
4. Triple Torch, Wolverhampton, November 22, 1954
4. Triple Torch, Wolverhampton, November 22, 1954
5. Joe Holland, Manchester, January 29, 1955
5. Joe Holland, Manchester, January 29, 1955
Robert Power's first win
His second winner, Tormond
Robert's third win
Triple Torch was Robert's fourth winner
His final winner was Joe Holland