R. P. 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 when finishing third on Petite Gina in the 1964 1,000 Guineas.
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.
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.
R.P. (Bobby) Elliott
R.P. (Bobby) Elliott
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