Bob Harper
1862 - 1936
1862 - 1936
Northern-based National Hunt jockey Robert Henry (Bob) Harper was born at Risby Park, East Yorkshire on August 30, 1862. He started in racing as a boy riding at flapping meetings, of which there were many in the north at that time.
Northern-based National Hunt jockey Robert Henry (Bob) Harper was born at Risby Park, East Yorkshire on August 30, 1862. He started in racing as a boy riding at flapping meetings, of which there were many in the north at that time.
He rode as an amateur under NH rules and made the perfect start by winning on his first ride in public, on a horse named Ranger in the two-mile Wetherby Plate Steeplechase on Tuesday, April 15, 1884. However, despite that promising beginning, he appears not to have ridden between September 1884 and 1892 and did not register his second success until 1893.
He rode as an amateur under NH rules and made the perfect start by winning on his first ride in public, on a horse named Ranger in the two-mile Wetherby Plate Steeplechase on Tuesday, April 15, 1884. However, despite that promising beginning, he appears not to have ridden between September 1884 and 1892 and did not register his second success until 1893.
He enjoyed his best year in 1902 with 41 wins, placing him joint first in the amateur riders’ championship and joint fifth overall in the National Hunt jockeys’ table.
He enjoyed his best year in 1902 with 41 wins, placing him joint first in the amateur riders’ championship and joint fifth overall in the National Hunt jockeys’ table.
Bob continued to ride as an amateur until March 1904, turning professional later that year. He had just one mount in the Grand National, that being in 1907 on 16-1 shot Kilts, who was among the fallers.
Bob continued to ride as an amateur until March 1904, turning professional later that year. He had just one mount in the Grand National, that being in 1907 on 16-1 shot Kilts, who was among the fallers.
He went on to ride a total of 136 winners during his career and was particularly successful at Wetherby where he had 22 wins all told.
He went on to ride a total of 136 winners during his career and was particularly successful at Wetherby where he had 22 wins all told.
Appropriately, both his last winner and final ride were at Wetherby. His last win (below) came on Captain Ross in the Maiden Hurdle on Easter Monday, April 8, 1912, his final ride being on Merrythought, who finished unplaced in the Deighton Hurdle on March 25, 1913.
Appropriately, both his last winner and final ride were at Wetherby. His last win (below) came on Captain Ross in the Maiden Hurdle on Easter Monday, April 8, 1912, his final ride being on Merrythought, who finished unplaced in the Deighton Hurdle on March 25, 1913.
Bob spent many years with George Menzies, who trained at Coxhoe in County Durham. He then had an equally long spell as head lad for George Gunter, who trained on his father’s estate at Wetherby. Latterly he officiated as starter a number of northern National Hunt meetings
Bob spent many years with George Menzies, who trained at Coxhoe in County Durham. He then had an equally long spell as head lad for George Gunter, who trained on his father’s estate at Wetherby. Latterly he officiated as starter a number of northern National Hunt meetings
At some of the north-country jump fixtures around the turn of the century it was not uncommon for jockeys who found they were going to win on unbacked horses, to slip out of the saddle to the ground. In later life, Bob admitted that he had done that falling act so often that he had become quite a circus performer and was never any the worse.
At some of the north-country jump fixtures around the turn of the century it was not uncommon for jockeys who found they were going to win on unbacked horses, to slip out of the saddle to the ground. In later life, Bob admitted that he had done that falling act so often that he had become quite a circus performer and was never any the worse.
Bob Harper died in 1936.
Bob Harper died in 1936.