Embedded Files
Robert Hatfield
Article by Alan Trout
Robert Edward Hatield made the perfect start to his race-riding career. At Folkestone on May 11, 1982 he won the Grunwick Stakes National Hunt Flat Race on the six-year-old 10/1 shot Atomic Answer on his first ride in public. Trained by former champion jump jockey Graham Thorner, Atomic Answer was also making his debut under rules.
Robert Edward Hatield made the perfect start to his race-riding career. At Folkestone on May 11, 1982 he won the Grunwick Stakes National Hunt Flat Race on the six-year-old 10/1 shot Atomic Answer on his first ride in public. Trained by former champion jump jockey Graham Thorner, Atomic Answer was also making his debut under rules.
Following that victory, the horse did not run again for nearly two years, nor was the jockey seen in action again until the following November. Atomic Answer never won another race, and it was not until the meeting at Uttoxeter on October 25, 1984 that Robert scored again. This time it was on Al Khashab who had four lengths to spare over the Jonjo O’Neill-ridden Errigal at the end of the Winshill Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2).
Following that victory, the horse did not run again for nearly two years, nor was the jockey seen in action again until the following November. Atomic Answer never won another race, and it was not until the meeting at Uttoxeter on October 25, 1984 that Robert scored again. This time it was on Al Khashab who had four lengths to spare over the Jonjo O’Neill-ridden Errigal at the end of the Winshill Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2).
Peter Bevan trained Al Khashab and he also supplied Robert with his other two victories that season. First came Jacinto Times in the Houghton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter in November, followed by Teejay who beat ten rivals in the Klix Drinks Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Hexham in March.
Peter Bevan trained Al Khashab and he also supplied Robert with his other two victories that season. First came Jacinto Times in the Houghton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter in November, followed by Teejay who beat ten rivals in the Klix Drinks Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Hexham in March.
The same trainer also provided Robert’s last two wins, with Something Special taking the Safety in Construction Handicap Hurdle at Cartmel on August 26, 1985, and then Amberwell surviving a last flight blunder to score by four lengths in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Wolverhampton on November 13 of the same year.
The same trainer also provided Robert’s last two wins, with Something Special taking the Safety in Construction Handicap Hurdle at Cartmel on August 26, 1985, and then Amberwell surviving a last flight blunder to score by four lengths in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Wolverhampton on November 13 of the same year.
Robert persevered for another season but without further success. His last ride appears to have been when finishing sixth of ten runners on the Richard Whitaker-trained Matchlessly in the Heiton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Kelso on March 25, 1987, ending his career with a total of six wins.
Robert persevered for another season but without further success. His last ride appears to have been when finishing sixth of ten runners on the Richard Whitaker-trained Matchlessly in the Heiton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Kelso on March 25, 1987, ending his career with a total of six wins.
Robert Hatfield’s winners were, in chronological order:
Robert Hatfield’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Atomic Answer, Folkestone, May 11, 1982
1. Atomic Answer, Folkestone, May 11, 1982
2. Al Khashab, Uttoxeter, October 25, 1984
2. Al Khashab, Uttoxeter, October 25, 1984
3. Jacinto Times, Uttoxeter, November 15, 1984
3. Jacinto Times, Uttoxeter, November 15, 1984
4. Teejay, Hexham, March 14, 1985
4. Teejay, Hexham, March 14, 1985
5. Something Special, Cartmel. August 26, 1985
5. Something Special, Cartmel. August 26, 1985
6. Amberwell, Wolverhampton, November 13, 1985
6. Amberwell, Wolverhampton, November 13, 1985
Robert Hatfield's third winner: Jacinto Times, Uttoxeter, November 15, 1984
Robert Hatfield's third winner: Jacinto Times, Uttoxeter, November 15, 1984
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse