Robert Earnshaw
Robert Earnshaw was born on May 13, 1959, and lived at High Warren Farm, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Robert Earnshaw was born on May 13, 1959, and lived at High Warren Farm, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Robert won some of the biggest races in the National Hunt calendar including the King George Vl Chase on Wayward Lad, a record three Two Mile Champion Chases with Badsworth Boy and the Whitbread Gold Cup on By The Way.
Robert won some of the biggest races in the National Hunt calendar including the King George Vl Chase on Wayward Lad, a record three Two Mile Champion Chases with Badsworth Boy and the Whitbread Gold Cup on By The Way.
But Robert's golden memory was when riding Silver Buck to victory on a sunny day in March 1982. This was his finest hour.
But Robert's golden memory was when riding Silver Buck to victory on a sunny day in March 1982. This was his finest hour.
Robert regards Silver Buck with something approaching hero worship. 'I've got pictures of him all over the house. Anybody is very lucky if they can get one like him in their life,' he said.
Robert regards Silver Buck with something approaching hero worship. 'I've got pictures of him all over the house. Anybody is very lucky if they can get one like him in their life,' he said.
Robert was not the most confident of jockeys; he admitted being sick with worry prior to big races. 'My reaction as we crossed the line was one of pure relief,' he said. 'I had put myself under so much pressure with the hype that I was just glad that it was over.'
Robert was not the most confident of jockeys; he admitted being sick with worry prior to big races. 'My reaction as we crossed the line was one of pure relief,' he said. 'I had put myself under so much pressure with the hype that I was just glad that it was over.'
With a tally of 217 winners, a strike rate of one winner every six rides, Robert, aged just 28, retired from the saddle in February 1987 and, turning to training, saddled his first runner, Trial Period, in the second division of the Wensley Novice Hurdle at Catterick on Wednesday 25 February.
With a tally of 217 winners, a strike rate of one winner every six rides, Robert, aged just 28, retired from the saddle in February 1987 and, turning to training, saddled his first runner, Trial Period, in the second division of the Wensley Novice Hurdle at Catterick on Wednesday 25 February.
Trial Period was, at the time, one of 11 horses at Robert's Killinghall stables near Harrogate.
Trial Period was, at the time, one of 11 horses at Robert's Killinghall stables near Harrogate.
On the eve of his 30th birthday, Robert saddled his first Flat winner as a trainer when Fusion pulled off one of the biggest gambles of the season, backed down from 14-1 to 5-2, at Lingfield.
On the eve of his 30th birthday, Robert saddled his first Flat winner as a trainer when Fusion pulled off one of the biggest gambles of the season, backed down from 14-1 to 5-2, at Lingfield.
Ironically, Robert had, as a jockey, ridden at every jumping track in Britain - apart from Lingfield!
Ironically, Robert had, as a jockey, ridden at every jumping track in Britain - apart from Lingfield!
Unfortunately, the venture was not a success and Robert later crossed the floor and became a stipendiary steward with Jockey Club.
Unfortunately, the venture was not a success and Robert later crossed the floor and became a stipendiary steward with Jockey Club.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1981: Mildmay of Flete Chase - Political Pop
1981: Mildmay of Flete Chase - Political Pop
1982: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Silver Buck
1982: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Silver Buck
1983: King George Vl Chase - Wayward Lad
1983: King George Vl Chase - Wayward Lad
1983: Quenn Mother Champion Chase - Badsworth Boy
1983: Quenn Mother Champion Chase - Badsworth Boy
1984: Queen Mother Champion Chase - Badsworth Boy
1984: Queen Mother Champion Chase - Badsworth Boy
1985: Queen Mother Champion Chase - Badsworth Boy
1985: Queen Mother Champion Chase - Badsworth Boy
1985: Whitbread Gold Cup - By The Way
1985: Whitbread Gold Cup - By The Way