Robert Campion

Article by Alan Trout

Apprentice Robert Campion rode a winner in both of the two seasons he was in action. He was also placed on several occasions.

He was apprenticed to George Menzies (1862-1931), formerly a useful northern amateur rider, and had his first ride at Thirsk on May 2, 1914, when his mount finished fifth of the 12 runners in the Gormire Welter Handicap won by promising apprentice Kenny Robertson on the 5-2 favourite Tan.

Robert came close to success at Carlisle on July 1 when Endrick finished second in the Blackhall Handicap, beaten three-quarters of a length by Gulp, the mount of Joe Thwaites.

That elusive first winner finally came in the four-runner Eglinton Plate at Ayr on July 21, 1914, when, in a close finish, Robert on Oceanus beat Thwaites’ mount More Vane by a head, with the 7-4 on favourite Colonel Bogey, ridden by James Ledson, a further head back in third place. Unfortunately for Robert, the newspapers of the day appeared to be more concerned with the disappointing performance of the third than the achievements of the winner and his young jockey, who had led all the way in the one-mile five-furlong contest.

There were a couple more placed efforts for Robert in 1915, including a second-place finish in the Selling Handicap at Pontefract on April 22, when Lord of Song was beaten two lengths by Lady Thrush, ridden by Peter Jones.

The following day, Robert rode his second winner when the cleverly-named three-year-old Eye I, trained by George Menzies, took the Newport Selling Handicap at Stockton, despite Robert putting up 2lb overweight at 6st 8lb.

Eye I was also Robert’s last ride when finishing eighth of 12 in the White Lodge Selling Handicap at Haydock Park on May 15, 1915, a race won by Andrew Killean on Borgia.