Robert Basham was born in Yarmouth c 1830. He was first apprenticed to George Edwards at Newmarket, staying with him for some eighteen months. He then worked for Malton trainer Henry Stebbins.
He first rode in public at Stockton-on-Tees where two local celebrities had organised a pony match. Robert Basham and John Charlton, because of their diminutive size, were selected as the riders. Robert’s pony won easily: on the strength of this performance Robert was speedily promoted and on August 28th 1846 - again at Stockton - made his racecourse début aboard Billy Purvis, a chestnut three-year-old by The Bard.
Billy Purvis was named after the then widely-known proprietor of a Tyneside travelling theatrical establishment.
He rode his first winner, Sylvan, in 1847 during the Northallerton Meeting, beating Ennui and Psalm Singer, among others.
Robert won the Manchester Cup on Swiss Boy, the Northumberland Plate twice - Kingston (1853) & Underhand (1857) - and also rode Kingston to victory in the Whip at Newmarket in 1853. That, though, had been a bloodless victory: his main rival, Weathergage had broken down, leaving the only other runner, Teddington, to finish a remote second.
Richard finished second on Indian Warrior behind 25-1 outsider Epaminond in the 1854 Chester Cup but achieved his best result when getting the Birdcatcher bay Knight of St George home by a head from the Tommy Asmall-ridden Ivan in the St Leger of that year. The Irish-bred Knight of St George was a difficult horse to ride, totally unresponsive to the whip.
Richard’s last race came at Lewes in 1864, on his own horse, the ill-tempered Wheldrake, which he was glad to sell to Lord Poulett shortly after.
He then turned, with modest success, to training.
When, years later, seen on London streets, his thin figure and sallow face told a tale of the insidious disease which would take his life. In his last years he made his way to Malton where his many friends gladly gave him lodgings and provided what comfort they could during his final months.
Robert Basham died of consumption in pauper's circumstances at Malton on Thursday morning, April 8, 1874, aged 44.
He was buried at Norton Cemetery, close to his old friends, John Charlton and John Holmes.
