Robert Henderson
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Robert James (Bob) Henderson was born on June 22, 1940 in Wigton, Cumberland, and served his apprenticeship with Ernie Davey at Malton. He rode
Robert James (Bob) Henderson was born on June 22, 1940 in Wigton, Cumberland, and served his apprenticeship with Ernie Davey at Malton. He rode
his first winner on Master Sands in a Redcar apprentices’ handicap on June 6, 1960 and went on to win twice more on him over a mile at Beverley in July and August. Ludlow trainer Bill Hide then made use of Bob’s services to win apprentice races on British Legionnaire at Warwick in September and Leicester in November, giving him a score of five for the year.
his first winner on Master Sands in a Redcar apprentices’ handicap on June 6, 1960 and went on to win twice more on him over a mile at Beverley in July and August. Ludlow trainer Bill Hide then made use of Bob’s services to win apprentice races on British Legionnaire at Warwick in September and Leicester in November, giving him a score of five for the year.
Joe Mulhall’s 11-year-old veteran Castle Irwell got Bob off the mark for 1961, winning a Bogside seller on April 14, and then Ernie Davey’s juvenile filly Riley’s
Joe Mulhall’s 11-year-old veteran Castle Irwell got Bob off the mark for 1961, winning a Bogside seller on April 14, and then Ernie Davey’s juvenile filly Riley’s
Fair obliged at Pontefract five days later. Pontefract was also the scene of a red-letter day for Bob on June 26 when he completed a double on Davey’s pair W Georgina and Master Sands. This brought his total of wins to nine – six of them achieved against senior jockeys.
Fair obliged at Pontefract five days later. Pontefract was also the scene of a red-letter day for Bob on June 26 when he completed a double on Davey’s pair W Georgina and Master Sands. This brought his total of wins to nine – six of them achieved against senior jockeys.
Bob’s tenth winner was by far his most important, winning the Great Yorkshire Handicap at York’s Ebor meeting on Dawn Watch for the ever astute Tarporley trainer Eric Cousins. It also meant that his 7lb allowance was reduced to 5lb.
Bob’s tenth winner was by far his most important, winning the Great Yorkshire Handicap at York’s Ebor meeting on Dawn Watch for the ever astute Tarporley trainer Eric Cousins. It also meant that his 7lb allowance was reduced to 5lb.
Tommy Robson was the next trainer to put Bob up on a winner, this being 20-1
Tommy Robson was the next trainer to put Bob up on a winner, this being 20-1
shot Border Strife in the marathon William the Lion Handicap at Lanark, which, at two and a half miles, was the longest race run in Scotland.
shot Border Strife in the marathon William the Lion Handicap at Lanark, which, at two and a half miles, was the longest race run in Scotland.
Ernie Davey’s sprinter Lavender Hill was Bob’s first winner of 1962 when scoring at Thirsk in April. On July 21 he rode the second double of his career, again both of them trained by Davey, landing the last two races at Bogside on Gold Pin and Tommy The Greek.
Ernie Davey’s sprinter Lavender Hill was Bob’s first winner of 1962 when scoring at Thirsk in April. On July 21 he rode the second double of his career, again both of them trained by Davey, landing the last two races at Bogside on Gold Pin and Tommy The Greek.
Bob had one more winner that year, Carlisle’s Champion Apprentice Handicap on Master Sands. Surprisingly, it was to be his final one, meaning that the horse that had given him his first three wins had also provided him with his last.
Bob had one more winner that year, Carlisle’s Champion Apprentice Handicap on Master Sands. Surprisingly, it was to be his final one, meaning that the horse that had given him his first three wins had also provided him with his last.
Bob completed his apprenticeship at the end of that year and ventured into 1963 as a fully-fledged jockey without the back-up of an allowance. He rode for four years without further success before handing in his licence in 1967.
Bob completed his apprenticeship at the end of that year and ventured into 1963 as a fully-fledged jockey without the back-up of an allowance. He rode for four years without further success before handing in his licence in 1967.
Bob Henderson’s winners were, in chronological order:
Bob Henderson’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Master Sands, Redcar, June 6, 1960
1. Master Sands, Redcar, June 6, 1960
2. Master Sands, Beverley, July 9, 1960
2. Master Sands, Beverley, July 9, 1960
3. Master Sands, Beverley, August 10, 1960
3. Master Sands, Beverley, August 10, 1960
4. British Legionnaire, Warwick, September 5, 1960
4. British Legionnaire, Warwick, September 5, 1960
5. British Legionnaire, Leicester, November 7, 1960
5. British Legionnaire, Leicester, November 7, 1960
6. Castle Irwell, Bogside, April 14, 1961
6. Castle Irwell, Bogside, April 14, 1961
7. Riley’s Fair, Pontefract, April 19, 1961
7. Riley’s Fair, Pontefract, April 19, 1961
8. W Georgina, Pontefract, June 26, 1961
8. W Georgina, Pontefract, June 26, 1961
9. Master Sands, Pontefract, June 26, 1961
9. Master Sands, Pontefract, June 26, 1961
10. Dawn Watch, York, August 24, 1961
10. Dawn Watch, York, August 24, 1961
11. Border Strife, Lanark, September 30, 1961
11. Border Strife, Lanark, September 30, 1961
12. Lavender Hill, Thirsk, April 14, 1962
12. Lavender Hill, Thirsk, April 14, 1962
13. Gold Pin, Bogside, July 21, 1962
13. Gold Pin, Bogside, July 21, 1962
14. Tommy The Greek, Bogside, July 21, 1962
14. Tommy The Greek, Bogside, July 21, 1962
15. Master Sands, Carlisle, August 25, 1962
15. Master Sands, Carlisle, August 25, 1962