Bobby Elliott
The son of a Daily Express printer, Londoner Bobby Elliott was born on March 20, 1941, and apprenticed to Tom Masson at Barnstaple, Lewes. He had the distinction of being at one time the Queen's lightweight jockey.
The son of a Daily Express printer, Londoner Bobby Elliott was born on March 20, 1941, and apprenticed to Tom Masson at Barnstaple, Lewes. He had the distinction of being at one time the Queen's lightweight jockey.
His first ride came on Ben's Boy, who managed to finish stone last at Lewes on September 4, 1956
His first ride came on Ben's Boy, who managed to finish stone last at Lewes on September 4, 1956
Tom Masson once described Bobby as "a boy in a million - 99lbs of sheer horse riding genius."
Tom Masson once described Bobby as "a boy in a million - 99lbs of sheer horse riding genius."
Bobby (R.P.) Elliott rode the very last winner at Lewes before its closure in September 1964. By coincidence, on August 18, 1958, the then 17-year-old apprentice rode his first-ever winner, Dante's Inferno at the same course.
Bobby (R.P.) Elliott rode the very last winner at Lewes before its closure in September 1964. By coincidence, on August 18, 1958, the then 17-year-old apprentice rode his first-ever winner, Dante's Inferno at the same course.
Bobby, champion apprentice in 1959 with 27 winners and again in 1960 with 39, rode over 1,000 winners in his career and came closest to winning a classic
Bobby, champion apprentice in 1959 with 27 winners and again in 1960 with 39, rode over 1,000 winners in his career and came closest to winning a classic
when finishing third on Petite Gina in the 1964 1,000 Guineas.
when finishing third on Petite Gina in the 1964 1,000 Guineas.
He also won the Royal Hunt Cup in 1960 on Small Slam.
He also won the Royal Hunt Cup in 1960 on Small Slam.
Bobby rode winners in America and Hong Kong and rode Brigadier Gerard in most of his work in 1971.
Bobby rode winners in America and Hong Kong and rode Brigadier Gerard in most of his work in 1971.
With his riding days behind him, he became assistant to Mark Johnston at Middleham then, later, a trainer in his own right at a purpose-built complex in Formby, Merseyside.
With his riding days behind him, he became assistant to Mark Johnston at Middleham then, later, a trainer in his own right at a purpose-built complex in Formby, Merseyside.
Bobby lived at 20, Market Place, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, and, on November 27, 1984, married Andrea Denise. She gave him one daughter, Trudy, and a son, Charles.
Bobby lived at 20, Market Place, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, and, on November 27, 1984, married Andrea Denise. She gave him one daughter, Trudy, and a son, Charles.
He rode in Hong Kong from 1971 to 1977 then rode in America from 1977 to 1981.
He rode in Hong Kong from 1971 to 1977 then rode in America from 1977 to 1981.
Bobby enjoyed a round of golf and water skiing.
Bobby enjoyed a round of golf and water skiing.
His son, Andrew, born 15 May 1987, also became a jockey.
His son, Andrew, born 15 May 1987, also became a jockey.
Bobby's older brother, Denis, emigrated to Canada halfway through his apprenticeship.
Bobby's older brother, Denis, emigrated to Canada halfway through his apprenticeship.
Big winners
Big winners
1959: Wokingham Stakes – Golden Leg
1959: Wokingham Stakes – Golden Leg
1960: Festival Stakes (Birmingham) – Red Gauntlet
1960: Festival Stakes (Birmingham) – Red Gauntlet
1960: Winston Churchill Stakes – Shatter
1960: Winston Churchill Stakes – Shatter
1960: Ascot Stakes – Shatter
1960: Ascot Stakes – Shatter
1960: Royal Hunt Cup – Small Slam
1960: Royal Hunt Cup – Small Slam
1961: Palace House Stakes – Galivanter
1961: Palace House Stakes – Galivanter
1961: King George V Stakes – Vinca
1961: King George V Stakes – Vinca
1962: Lingfield Derby Trial – Pindaric
1962: Lingfield Derby Trial – Pindaric
1962: Vaux Gold Tankard – Monterrico
1962: Vaux Gold Tankard – Monterrico
1967: Great Jubilee Handicap – Red Bar
1967: Great Jubilee Handicap – Red Bar
1989: Portland Handicap – Craft Express
1989: Portland Handicap – Craft Express
Bobby Elliott was involved in the 1962 Derby pile-up. Here is his account.
Bobby Elliott was involved in the 1962 Derby pile-up. Here is his account.
By Chris Pitt
By Chris Pitt
The Derby of 1962 was among the most dramatic ever run. Seven of the 26 runners fell or were brought down on the run to Tattenham Corner, including the favourite Hethersett, the Lingfield Derby Trial winner Pindaric and the Guineas second Romulus.
The Derby of 1962 was among the most dramatic ever run. Seven of the 26 runners fell or were brought down on the run to Tattenham Corner, including the favourite Hethersett, the Lingfield Derby Trial winner Pindaric and the Guineas second Romulus.
Sadly, one of the fallers, King Canute, broke a leg and had to be put down. Six of the seven jockeys ended up in hospital, the sole exception being Bobby Elliott, the rider of Pindaric. Years later, when asked what he remembered of the incident and the moments leading up to it, Elliott provided a step-by-step analysis.
Sadly, one of the fallers, King Canute, broke a leg and had to be put down. Six of the seven jockeys ended up in hospital, the sole exception being Bobby Elliott, the rider of Pindaric. Years later, when asked what he remembered of the incident and the moments leading up to it, Elliott provided a step-by-step analysis.
“There were 26 runners that year, which is a big field for Epsom, and if you looked through the form there were only about five who'd get the mile and a half. They were nearly all milers and they went off at mile pace. The staying horses such as mine were all running at the back. There were all these fast horses in front of us, and the ones who were going to get the trip couldn’t stay up with them.
“There were 26 runners that year, which is a big field for Epsom, and if you looked through the form there were only about five who'd get the mile and a half. They were nearly all milers and they went off at mile pace. The staying horses such as mine were all running at the back. There were all these fast horses in front of us, and the ones who were going to get the trip couldn’t stay up with them.
“They were at the top of the hill, about six furlongs out and just starting to run down, when they all concertinaed and there was nowhere to go. I’d just started to run as the leaders were coming back. I was going to go right round on the outside and try to drop in before Tattenham Corner, but I thought I’d wait and see what Harry Carr was going to do on Hethersett. Then, the next second, a horse clipped the heels of the one in front and went down. Harry went down, I’ve gone over the top of him, and three horses have fallen behind me. And that was it; all over, simple as that.
“They were at the top of the hill, about six furlongs out and just starting to run down, when they all concertinaed and there was nowhere to go. I’d just started to run as the leaders were coming back. I was going to go right round on the outside and try to drop in before Tattenham Corner, but I thought I’d wait and see what Harry Carr was going to do on Hethersett. Then, the next second, a horse clipped the heels of the one in front and went down. Harry went down, I’ve gone over the top of him, and three horses have fallen behind me. And that was it; all over, simple as that.
“The funny thing is that, in that instant when I saw Harry go down, I thought, ‘well, there’s the favourite gone, I might win now’. I don’t know how I thought I was going to get out of it but that’s what went through my mind. It was a terrible fall, I rolled and rolled, but maybe it was because I felt so relaxed when it happened that I walked away without a scratch. All the other jockeys were taken to hospital.”
“The funny thing is that, in that instant when I saw Harry go down, I thought, ‘well, there’s the favourite gone, I might win now’. I don’t know how I thought I was going to get out of it but that’s what went through my mind. It was a terrible fall, I rolled and rolled, but maybe it was because I felt so relaxed when it happened that I walked away without a scratch. All the other jockeys were taken to hospital.”
The incident occurred at a point of the course where there were no photographers. The TV coverage also missed it; hence Elliott’s recollection of the incident remains the most authentic and reliable testimony.
The incident occurred at a point of the course where there were no photographers. The TV coverage also missed it; hence Elliott’s recollection of the incident remains the most authentic and reliable testimony.
The eventual winner, 22-1 chance Larkspur, narrowly avoided disaster. He was alongside Hethersett when the favourite went down. Larkspur went on to score by two lengths, giving trainer Vincent O’Brien his first Derby winner. O’Brien thereby joined the select group who have trained winners of both the Derby and the Grand National.
The eventual winner, 22-1 chance Larkspur, narrowly avoided disaster. He was alongside Hethersett when the favourite went down. Larkspur went on to score by two lengths, giving trainer Vincent O’Brien his first Derby winner. O’Brien thereby joined the select group who have trained winners of both the Derby and the Grand National.
Larkspur had been bought by O’Brien as a yearling for 12,200 guineas for American owner Raymond Guest. He was the first son of a Derby winner (his sire was Never Say Die) to win the Derby since Mahmoud (by Blenheim) in 1936.
Larkspur had been bought by O’Brien as a yearling for 12,200 guineas for American owner Raymond Guest. He was the first son of a Derby winner (his sire was Never Say Die) to win the Derby since Mahmoud (by Blenheim) in 1936.
He was a chance ride for Australian Neville Sellwood, with O’Brien’s stable jockey, fellow Australian Pat Glennon, electing to ride Larkspur’s stablemate Sebring, who finished fifth.
He was a chance ride for Australian Neville Sellwood, with O’Brien’s stable jockey, fellow Australian Pat Glennon, electing to ride Larkspur’s stablemate Sebring, who finished fifth.
As for the unlucky favourite Hethersett and his rider, the royal jockey Harry Carr, they gained a measure of compensation by winning that year’s St Leger.
As for the unlucky favourite Hethersett and his rider, the royal jockey Harry Carr, they gained a measure of compensation by winning that year’s St Leger.
Tragically, Neville Sellwood died just five months later following a fall in a race in France.
Tragically, Neville Sellwood died just five months later following a fall in a race in France.