Roger Burford Sr.

Born in Maisemore, in Gloucestershire, Roger Burford was originally apprenticed to Newmarket trainer Tom Leader. He was the father of Roger Burford Jr., who won the 1941 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Poet Prince.

Roger senior – popularly known as ‘Tiny' – had his first ride on the Flat on May 21, 1901, finishing unplaced on Artiste, trained by Leader, in the Doddington Handicap won by the amateur Herbert Randall on Feddal. Randall turned professional the following year and promptly won the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas and Oaks on the great filly Sceptre.

Roger enjoyed his greatest success when winning the 1921 Welsh Grand National on Mythical. He also came second on The Turk II in the 1920 Grand National behind Jack Anthony’s mount Troytown.

In September 1927 he rode Brown Jack on his British debut, finishing third in the Southampton Hurdle at Bournemouth. He then won on Brown Jack over hurdles at Wolverhampton and Wincanton. Those were the only three occasions on which he rode that most popular horse, who went on to win that season’s Champion Hurdle and, more famously, six consecutive runnings of the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot when partnered by Steve Donoghue. 

Roger Burford died at Wroughton, Wiltshire on February 8, 1952, aged 66. He left £1,470.