Robert Grace
Between 1920 and 1927 Robert Grace rode 45 winners on the Flat, with a best score of 23 in 1922. He reappeared for a few rides in 1932.
Between 1920 and 1927 Robert Grace rode 45 winners on the Flat, with a best score of 23 in 1922. He reappeared for a few rides in 1932.
Born in Harrow, Middlesex, on November 19, 1903, Robert was apprenticed to Frederick Charles Pratt, who had won the 1,000 Guineas both as a jockey and a trainer, and whose Lambourn stables had sent out many winners since 1903.
Born in Harrow, Middlesex, on November 19, 1903, Robert was apprenticed to Frederick Charles Pratt, who had won the 1,000 Guineas both as a jockey and a trainer, and whose Lambourn stables had sent out many winners since 1903.
Robert’s first ride did not go well. At Haydock on July 11, 1919 he finished last of three in the Lowton Apprentice Handicap after his mount Filigrane had whipped round at the start and lost ground.
Robert’s first ride did not go well. At Haydock on July 11, 1919 he finished last of three in the Lowton Apprentice Handicap after his mount Filigrane had whipped round at the start and lost ground.
Although he had a few more rides that season, it was not until 1920 that he had his first success, at Bath on August 18 when Kaboodles won the Apprentices Plate by 10 lengths. The pair followed this up by winning the Burton Apprentice Plate at Derby on September 2, but this time only by a length.
Although he had a few more rides that season, it was not until 1920 that he had his first success, at Bath on August 18 when Kaboodles won the Apprentices Plate by 10 lengths. The pair followed this up by winning the Burton Apprentice Plate at Derby on September 2, but this time only by a length.
There were 10 wins in 1921, including a double at Windsor, and the 1922 total of 23 featured a treble at Bath on May 17 for three different trainers, landing the Maiden Selling Two-Year-Old Plate on My Hobby, the Beaufort High-weight Handicap on Tom’s Lass, and the County Moderate Plate on Pass The Mint. He also won the Summer Handicap on Newmarket’s July Course on Sir Abe Bailey’s Tishy, who the previous year had been all the rage for the Cesarewitch, only to finish tailed off last and earn infamous immortality as the ‘cross-legged’ horse in the well-known Tom Webster cartoon.
There were 10 wins in 1921, including a double at Windsor, and the 1922 total of 23 featured a treble at Bath on May 17 for three different trainers, landing the Maiden Selling Two-Year-Old Plate on My Hobby, the Beaufort High-weight Handicap on Tom’s Lass, and the County Moderate Plate on Pass The Mint. He also won the Summer Handicap on Newmarket’s July Course on Sir Abe Bailey’s Tishy, who the previous year had been all the rage for the Cesarewitch, only to finish tailed off last and earn infamous immortality as the ‘cross-legged’ horse in the well-known Tom Webster cartoon.
The following year was less successful with only seven wins. The next few seasons saw him only ride occasionally in England. The exception was 1927, when he had the last three wins of his career. Now based in the north, two of those three were gained on Peardrop at Pontefract. First, he dead-heated for the Houghton Handicap Plate on April 21, and then on July 8 the combination won the Kilnwick Handicap Plate for Robert’s final victory under Jockey Club rules.
The following year was less successful with only seven wins. The next few seasons saw him only ride occasionally in England. The exception was 1927, when he had the last three wins of his career. Now based in the north, two of those three were gained on Peardrop at Pontefract. First, he dead-heated for the Houghton Handicap Plate on April 21, and then on July 8 the combination won the Kilnwick Handicap Plate for Robert’s final victory under Jockey Club rules.
Unable to establish himself following having ridden out his apprentice allowance, Robert turned to pony racing, where he began to make his mark under Pony Turf Club rules at Northolt Park.
Unable to establish himself following having ridden out his apprentice allowance, Robert turned to pony racing, where he began to make his mark under Pony Turf Club rules at Northolt Park.
He reappeared under Jockey Club rules in 1932 when he took the occasional mount, ending with an unplaced effort on By-word in the Begby Selling Handicap at Thirsk on August 5. Thereafter he returned to the world of pony racing and rode with success throughout the remainder of the 1930s until Northolt Park closed its doors in 1940.
He reappeared under Jockey Club rules in 1932 when he took the occasional mount, ending with an unplaced effort on By-word in the Begby Selling Handicap at Thirsk on August 5. Thereafter he returned to the world of pony racing and rode with success throughout the remainder of the 1930s until Northolt Park closed its doors in 1940.
1923
1923
1936
1936