Born in Nunnington around 1857, Bob Adams was the oldest of six brothers.
He made his name as a jockey on the racecourses at Northallerton, Durham, Scarborough, Malton, Hall Green, Kirbymoorside and Stokesley.
He also won many races in Scotland, and it was here that he rode for George Baird (Mr Abington), winning that eccentric character many races.
Bob is described as having ‘a quiet manner, a pleasant smile, touched with sadness, eyes which twinkled with humour, a typical Yorkshireman, in speech, in patriotism and love of the sport.’
At Kirbymoorside on Thursday, March 15 1877, Bob - having been beaten in the first race on joint-favourite Bo-Peep - gained his first-ever win when landing the Prince of Wales’ Steeplechase on Mr Rowland’s Adelais. It was a courageous, if not fortunate, win. Bob had just taken up the running on the second circuit when Adelais slipped, throwing Bob over its head. Though considerably stunned, Bob gallantly remounted and, such was his mount’s superiority, he won going away by three lengths.
Nothing succeeds like success, and Bob was back in the winners’ enclosure two races later having gained a hollow victory on his brother’s horse, Rod in Pickle, in a match for £10.
Bob went on to ride a career total of 62 winners, including four at Wetherby on the same afternoon. This was his favourite course; he won 14 times over the track.
His best season came in 1879 when he recorded 16 victories.
Bob’s career ended on a sour note when, after winning the first race on his own horse, Verdical (Tuesday 25 February 1890) he was reported to the Stewards for foul riding. After hearing the statements of three other jockeys, Bob was cautioned, suspended from riding for the rest of the meeting, and reported to the Stewards of the Grand National Hunt.
He did not ride again.
Bob’s seasonal winning totals were:
1877 - 1
1878 - 12
1879 - 16
1880 - 2
1881 - 6
1882 - 6
1883 - 2
1884 - 2
1885 - 2
1886 - 2
1887 - 2
1889 - 1
1890 - 1
Before his initial win, Bob lost three races, all disqualified for technical reasons.
Bob Adams died in Wombleton, Yorkshire, from lung disease on 1 February 1912.
