Robin Hardwidge
Robin Hardwidge
Robin Hardwidge
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1923, Robin Hardwidge enjoyed some success in Ireland before coming to England during the Second World War. He was twice successful in the Irish Cesarewitch, winning in 1941 on 20-1 shot Astrometer, owned and trained by Dan O’Brien, Vincent’s father, and in 1942 aboard 33-1 outsider Winawar for Darby Rogers.
Born in 1923, Robin Hardwidge enjoyed some success in Ireland before coming to England during the Second World War. He was twice successful in the Irish Cesarewitch, winning in 1941 on 20-1 shot Astrometer, owned and trained by Dan O’Brien, Vincent’s father, and in 1942 aboard 33-1 outsider Winawar for Darby Rogers.
He rode three winners on the Flat in England and two over jumps in the 1940s. He had his first victory at Salisbury on September 25, 1943, when Bonny One neat 19 rivals to land the Beaminster Plate (Division 2). Trained by Alec Kilpatrick, the filly had been placed on her last three starts and was usually partnered by Cliff Richards but he was riding a newcomer for Lord Astor, hence Robin came in for the mount and beat Fair Aim, ridden by Gordon Richards by a length and a half, while Gordon’s brother Cliff could only finish fifth.
He rode three winners on the Flat in England and two over jumps in the 1940s. He had his first victory at Salisbury on September 25, 1943, when Bonny One neat 19 rivals to land the Beaminster Plate (Division 2). Trained by Alec Kilpatrick, the filly had been placed on her last three starts and was usually partnered by Cliff Richards but he was riding a newcomer for Lord Astor, hence Robin came in for the mount and beat Fair Aim, ridden by Gordon Richards by a length and a half, while Gordon’s brother Cliff could only finish fifth.
Robin’s second win was not until May 12, 1945, when Conscience Money took the Dormey Common Plate (Division 2) at Windsor. Trained by Eric Stedall for his wife, the winner was making only his second start, having finished unplaced, with Robin up, at Ascot in April.
Robin’s second win was not until May 12, 1945, when Conscience Money took the Dormey Common Plate (Division 2) at Windsor. Trained by Eric Stedall for his wife, the winner was making only his second start, having finished unplaced, with Robin up, at Ascot in April.
He had his final victory on the Flat when Raffles, trained by Fred Sneyd, beat Gordon Richards on Heart Of Gold by three-quarters of a length in the Greystones Plate at Bath on July 17, 1946.
He had his final victory on the Flat when Raffles, trained by Fred Sneyd, beat Gordon Richards on Heart Of Gold by three-quarters of a length in the Greystones Plate at Bath on July 17, 1946.
Robin now turned his attention to the jumps scene. His first success in that sphere came at Newport on October 5, 1946, when New Pipers, trained by Ralph Morel at Dinas Powys, Glamorgan, won the Selling Handicap Hurdle by two lengths from Mospey, the mount of Jack Dowdeswell, who was on his way to becoming champion jockey for that season, with Bryan Marshall, who succeeded Dowdeswell as champion the following season, third on Glitter Bay.
Robin now turned his attention to the jumps scene. His first success in that sphere came at Newport on October 5, 1946, when New Pipers, trained by Ralph Morel at Dinas Powys, Glamorgan, won the Selling Handicap Hurdle by two lengths from Mospey, the mount of Jack Dowdeswell, who was on his way to becoming champion jockey for that season, with Bryan Marshall, who succeeded Dowdeswell as champion the following season, third on Glitter Bay.
His last victory was at Cheltenham on April 15, 1947, when Hastily, owned and trained by Ralph Morel, won the Croome Hurdle (Division 4) with another future champion jockey, Tim Molony, filling second place on The Heron. It was the only occasion on which rode Hastily. He relinquished both his Flat and National Hunt licences soon after.
His last victory was at Cheltenham on April 15, 1947, when Hastily, owned and trained by Ralph Morel, won the Croome Hurdle (Division 4) with another future champion jockey, Tim Molony, filling second place on The Heron. It was the only occasion on which rode Hastily. He relinquished both his Flat and National Hunt licences soon after.
Robin won the 1941 Irish Cesarewitch on Astrometer
Robin won the 1941 Irish Cesarewitch on Astrometer
Robin's first winner over the sticks was New Pipers
Robin's first winner over the sticks was New Pipers
Robin's last win at Cheltenham, Hastily April 15 1947
Robin's last win at Cheltenham, Hastily April 15 1947
Robin's first Flat race winner: Bonny One at Salisbury, September 25 1943
Robin's first Flat race winner: Bonny One at Salisbury, September 25 1943