Robert Bates

Born in Marseille in 1913, Robert Bates was the champion jump jockey in France on seven occasions between 1935 and 1946. 

From 10,500 rides Robert rode 980 winners. 

He also broke 27 bones in the process!

Robert (always known as Bobby) had an English father, Arthur Augustine, and a French mother. 

He also had two brothers, William & Arthur.

Robert's father was a jockey and trainer in France - so, too, was his uncle, Frederick William.

William, Arthur and Bobby all became famous Marseille jockeys before moving on to Paris to continue their careers.

Bobby Bates won all the major races there including two French Champion Hurdles for trainer William Head and, for Maurice Adele, the 1949 Grand Steeplechase on Rideo.

Arthur finished twice runner-up to Bobby in the Jockey Championship, in 1937 & 1942.

During this time, William concentrated on training.

Bobby, always extremely popular, became Chairman for the French Jockeys' Association.

He continued to ride in England, eventually becoming a trainer, sending out horses from Findon.

On Saturday, February 4, 1950, Bobby entered his horse Bistor in the Blacknest Hurdle race at Windsor, and engaged jockey Frank Morel to ride.

Bistor tried to bite a rival, forcing its jockey, Frank Morel, to pull hard on the reins, taking evasive action. Incredibly, the stewards took a dim view of his actions: the next month, because of this incident, Bobby lost his licence and, indirectly, as it turned out, his life. 

With no means of support in England, he was forced to return to France where he applied for a riding licence. He was not granted one until two years later, in 1952.

Tragically, that year, he fractured his skull and died on 18 October, when his mount, La Guillatiere, fell during the Prix de Saumur steeplechase at Auteuil.

Biggest wins:

1948:   Stayers Handicap Chase - Soda ll

1949:  Lancashire Chase - Coloured Schoolboy

William also became a trainer of repute before dying from an unspecified illness in 1957.

After suffering several bad falls and damage to his spine, Arthur turned to training with great success, sending out some 3,000 winners both on the flat and over the jumps. He was still actively involved in this until his death, which took place in 1989. (In turn, Arthur's son, Alain, also became a trainer.)

That was the end of the three brothers: their descendants were at that time involved with the turf as jockeys and trainers but nowadays, sadly, the name Bates is never mentioned on the race cards.

I am indebted to Alain Bates, the son of Arthur, for the above contribution and photos.