Bobby Dewhurst
Born in Cheshire in 1860, Bobby Dewhurst rode to hounds with the county pack as a boy, and eventually joined the 4th Hussars, a regiment noted for the large number of good sportsmen who have served with it. He whipped-in to the regimental staghounds at Norwich and became so keen a horseman that he wasted hard in order to get his weight down to ride in the local steeplechases. So proficient did he become that he won the Subalterns' Challenge Cup six years in succession, thus twice making the trophy his own property. He had even greater success in the Regimental Cup. He also won good races in Scotland including the Eglington Hunt Cup and the Adam Hill Cup.
Born in Cheshire in 1860, Bobby Dewhurst rode to hounds with the county pack as a boy, and eventually joined the 4th Hussars, a regiment noted for the large number of good sportsmen who have served with it. He whipped-in to the regimental staghounds at Norwich and became so keen a horseman that he wasted hard in order to get his weight down to ride in the local steeplechases. So proficient did he become that he won the Subalterns' Challenge Cup six years in succession, thus twice making the trophy his own property. He had even greater success in the Regimental Cup. He also won good races in Scotland including the Eglington Hunt Cup and the Adam Hill Cup.
Before long his regiment was sent to Cork, and it was here that he established himself as one of the best amateur steeplechase riders of his day. He spent many years winning various Hunt Cups at Punchestown, Navan, Fairyhouse and elsewhere.
Before long his regiment was sent to Cork, and it was here that he established himself as one of the best amateur steeplechase riders of his day. He spent many years winning various Hunt Cups at Punchestown, Navan, Fairyhouse and elsewhere.
He soon had his own string of horses, and when the 4th Hussars left Ireland, he retired from the regiment and went to live at Greenmount, Clonsilla, where he became a trainer. From here he sent out horses to win good races both in Ireland and England, where he won the Valentine Chase at Liverpool four years in succession with Ardgreagh, Lurgan, Thomondgate and Flying Swallow. Other good horses which won at Aintree for him included Drumree, Strasbourg and Glenmore.
He soon had his own string of horses, and when the 4th Hussars left Ireland, he retired from the regiment and went to live at Greenmount, Clonsilla, where he became a trainer. From here he sent out horses to win good races both in Ireland and England, where he won the Valentine Chase at Liverpool four years in succession with Ardgreagh, Lurgan, Thomondgate and Flying Swallow. Other good horses which won at Aintree for him included Drumree, Strasbourg and Glenmore.
His wife owned a good jumper called Abbot which Bobby rode to victory in the 1893 Conyngham Cup.
His wife owned a good jumper called Abbot which Bobby rode to victory in the 1893 Conyngham Cup.
In 1903, Captain Dewhurst (as he then was) took the Bedford Lodge Stables at Newmarket, sending out Dunboyne to win the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park just a short time after. Dunboyne was ridden that day by Mr Harold Brassey, of the Royal Horse Guards. Harold was tragically killed in action in 1916 while commanding a battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment.
In 1903, Captain Dewhurst (as he then was) took the Bedford Lodge Stables at Newmarket, sending out Dunboyne to win the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park just a short time after. Dunboyne was ridden that day by Mr Harold Brassey, of the Royal Horse Guards. Harold was tragically killed in action in 1916 while commanding a battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment.
Bobby enjoyed a second success in the Grand Military Gold with Ruy Lopez in 1905
Bobby enjoyed a second success in the Grand Military Gold with Ruy Lopez in 1905
He then turned his attention exclusively to Newmarket: he won four races in 1906 with the three-year-old gelding Succour which, the following season, won another five off the reel.
He then turned his attention exclusively to Newmarket: he won four races in 1906 with the three-year-old gelding Succour which, the following season, won another five off the reel.
Bobby sent out 22 winners in 1910, winning total prize money of £7,931. The following year he won 25 races worth a total of £9,113 and in 1912 he won 36 races and £10,315. It increased again in the following years. The best horse he trained was the brilliant Corcyra who won the Middle Park Stakes and would certainly have won the Derby had it been entered.
Bobby sent out 22 winners in 1910, winning total prize money of £7,931. The following year he won 25 races worth a total of £9,113 and in 1912 he won 36 races and £10,315. It increased again in the following years. The best horse he trained was the brilliant Corcyra who won the Middle Park Stakes and would certainly have won the Derby had it been entered.
On Friday, January 16, 1914, fire broke out, and the entire stables were practically gutted.
On Friday, January 16, 1914, fire broke out, and the entire stables were practically gutted.