Bobby Faulkner
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Henry Webb Faulkner served in the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards and was an accomplished soldier rider with more than 100 winners to his name in point-to-points and under National Hunt rules, along with two amateur riders’ Flat races. He competed at virtually all Sandown’s Grand Military meetings from the early 1960s to the mid-1980s.
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Henry Webb Faulkner served in the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards and was an accomplished soldier rider with more than 100 winners to his name in point-to-points and under National Hunt rules, along with two amateur riders’ Flat races. He competed at virtually all Sandown’s Grand Military meetings from the early 1960s to the mid-1980s.
He made his Sandown debut in 1960 when falling on Silver City in the Grand Military Gold Cup.
He made his Sandown debut in 1960 when falling on Silver City in the Grand Military Gold Cup.
In 1964, wearing his racing colours of ‘gold, royal blue sleeves, black and white quartered cap’, he finished fourth in the Grand Military Gold Cup on Can Go, then brought him out again the very next day, March 14, to win the Grand Military Hunters’ Chase, thereby registering his first success under rules.
In 1964, wearing his racing colours of ‘gold, royal blue sleeves, black and white quartered cap’, he finished fourth in the Grand Military Gold Cup on Can Go, then brought him out again the very next day, March 14, to win the Grand Military Hunters’ Chase, thereby registering his first success under rules.
In 1966 he won two amateur riders’ Flat races on the Tommy Robson-trained mare Anne French, namely the Burgh Barony Races Commemoration Cup at Carlisle in June, and the Kilkerran Handicap at Ayr’s Western Meeting in September.
In 1966 he won two amateur riders’ Flat races on the Tommy Robson-trained mare Anne French, namely the Burgh Barony Races Commemoration Cup at Carlisle in June, and the Kilkerran Handicap at Ayr’s Western Meeting in September.
Having attained the rank of Major, he won the Grand Military Hunters’ Chase again in 1972 on Major M. R. Dangerfield’s All A Myth. In 1974, he landed the Past and Present Hurdle on Eddie O’Grady’s Irish raider Kublai.
Having attained the rank of Major, he won the Grand Military Hunters’ Chase again in 1972 on Major M. R. Dangerfield’s All A Myth. In 1974, he landed the Past and Present Hurdle on Eddie O’Grady’s Irish raider Kublai.
However, those successes apart, Sandown’s Grand Military meeting was not overly kind to him. He rode in 11 Grand Military Gold Cups without winning one, finishing second in 1977 and again in 1981 and third in both 1968 and 1973. When finishing second on Clary in 1977, it was for the fourth time in a row that season, having previously finished runner-up at Ludlow, Fontwell and Haydock.
However, those successes apart, Sandown’s Grand Military meeting was not overly kind to him. He rode in 11 Grand Military Gold Cups without winning one, finishing second in 1977 and again in 1981 and third in both 1968 and 1973. When finishing second on Clary in 1977, it was for the fourth time in a row that season, having previously finished runner-up at Ludlow, Fontwell and Haydock.
In addition, he was second three times in Sandown’s Past and Present Handicap Chase, the first occasion being in 1978 on Fjord. Earlier that season, Bobby had won a Lingfield maiden chase and a Sandown amateur riders’ chase on Fjord. However, they had narrowly been denied a big race victory when beaten half a length by Prebihas in Sandown’s Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (below). The following season, Bobby was first past the post on Fjord in the 1979 Past and Present Chase but was disqualified for interference and placed second. The combination endured further bad luck at the 1980 Grand Military meeting when finishing second in the Open Chase, and they again came second in a race at Folkestone in January 1981.
In addition, he was second three times in Sandown’s Past and Present Handicap Chase, the first occasion being in 1978 on Fjord. Earlier that season, Bobby had won a Lingfield maiden chase and a Sandown amateur riders’ chase on Fjord. However, they had narrowly been denied a big race victory when beaten half a length by Prebihas in Sandown’s Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (below). The following season, Bobby was first past the post on Fjord in the 1979 Past and Present Chase but was disqualified for interference and placed second. The combination endured further bad luck at the 1980 Grand Military meeting when finishing second in the Open Chase, and they again came second in a race at Folkestone in January 1981.
At the 1981 Grand Military meeting, Major Faulkner finished second in both the Past and Present Chase on Devil’s Brig and the Grand Military Gold Cup on Brown Jock. In 1984, by now promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonel, he finished fourth in the Grand Military Gold Cup on Dargai. He had his final ride at the fixture when coming home fifth on Carrigeen Hill in the 1985 Past and Present Chase.
At the 1981 Grand Military meeting, Major Faulkner finished second in both the Past and Present Chase on Devil’s Brig and the Grand Military Gold Cup on Brown Jock. In 1984, by now promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonel, he finished fourth in the Grand Military Gold Cup on Dargai. He had his final ride at the fixture when coming home fifth on Carrigeen Hill in the 1985 Past and Present Chase.
For all those near misses at Sandown and elsewhere, Bobby Faulkner was an above-average amateur rider who enjoyed plenty of success in the saddle and could hold his own quite capably in professional company.
For all those near misses at Sandown and elsewhere, Bobby Faulkner was an above-average amateur rider who enjoyed plenty of success in the saddle and could hold his own quite capably in professional company.
On January 1, 1986, he became the Jockey Club’s Inspector of Courses in the North of England and quickly proved a popular, effective and energetic administrator. Sadly, it was to be a short-lived role, for Bobby Faulkner died on Wednesday, 12 August, 1987, at The Grange, Carlton, Miniott, near Thirsk, aged 49. He left £70,000.
On January 1, 1986, he became the Jockey Club’s Inspector of Courses in the North of England and quickly proved a popular, effective and energetic administrator. Sadly, it was to be a short-lived role, for Bobby Faulkner died on Wednesday, 12 August, 1987, at The Grange, Carlton, Miniott, near Thirsk, aged 49. He left £70,000.
The Bobby Faulkner Memorial Challenge Trophy Chase at Catterick was first run in his memory in 1988 and was perpetuated for several years.
The Bobby Faulkner Memorial Challenge Trophy Chase at Catterick was first run in his memory in 1988 and was perpetuated for several years.
Bobby Faulkner's first winner: Can Go at Sandown
Bobby Faulkner's first winner: Can Go at Sandown
