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National Hunt jockey Robert John Kington was born in Newent, Gloucestershire on May 16, 1956, the son of a saddler. He joined Fred Winter’s stable when aged 15 and made the perfect start to his race-riding career by winning on his first mount in public, St Swithin, in a two-mile two-furlong handicap chase at Fontwell on September 30, 1974. Exactly three weeks later they won again over the same course and distance.
National Hunt jockey Robert John Kington was born in Newent, Gloucestershire on May 16, 1956, the son of a saddler. He joined Fred Winter’s stable when aged 15 and made the perfect start to his race-riding career by winning on his first mount in public, St Swithin, in a two-mile two-furlong handicap chase at Fontwell on September 30, 1974. Exactly three weeks later they won again over the same course and distance.
The following month, on November 27, 1974, Robert rode Fred Winter’s game veteran Sonny Somers for the first time, winning a novice riders’ handicap chase at Ascot. They followed up at Lingfield on December 7, scoring by 15 lengths. Following a third-place finish over hurdles at Sandown next time out, Robert and Sonny Somers returned to Ascot on January 10 to win the Thunder and Lightning Chase. Their next assignment was at Stratford in February, where they finished second in the Starlight Diamond Handicap Chase.
The following month, on November 27, 1974, Robert rode Fred Winter’s game veteran Sonny Somers for the first time, winning a novice riders’ handicap chase at Ascot. They followed up at Lingfield on December 7, scoring by 15 lengths. Following a third-place finish over hurdles at Sandown next time out, Robert and Sonny Somers returned to Ascot on January 10 to win the Thunder and Lightning Chase. Their next assignment was at Stratford in February, where they finished second in the Starlight Diamond Handicap Chase.
Robert rode Sonny Somers five times during the following season, winning the Joe Coral Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 5, 1975. They ran three fine races at Ascot that season, finishing second to Canasta Lad in the Jock Scott Handicap Chase, second to April Seventh in the Whitbread Trial Chase, and third, beaten five lengths in a novice riders’ chase when conceding 27lb to the winner and runner-up. They also finished second, beaten a length, to Floating Pound in a decent handicap chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Eve.
Robert rode Sonny Somers five times during the following season, winning the Joe Coral Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 5, 1975. They ran three fine races at Ascot that season, finishing second to Canasta Lad in the Jock Scott Handicap Chase, second to April Seventh in the Whitbread Trial Chase, and third, beaten five lengths in a novice riders’ chase when conceding 27lb to the winner and runner-up. They also finished second, beaten a length, to Floating Pound in a decent handicap chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Eve.
Robert and Sonny Somers teamed up on four occasions during the 1976/77 campaign. They came closest to winning when runner-up to Our Edition in the Cox Moore (Sweaters) Handicap Chase at Market Rasen on March 5, 1977, by which time Sonny Somers was 15 years old. Their last race together was when finishing fifth in the Schilizzi 1906 Commemorative Challenge Cup Chase at Towcester’s Easter meeting in April.
Robert and Sonny Somers teamed up on four occasions during the 1976/77 campaign. They came closest to winning when runner-up to Our Edition in the Cox Moore (Sweaters) Handicap Chase at Market Rasen on March 5, 1977, by which time Sonny Somers was 15 years old. Their last race together was when finishing fifth in the Schilizzi 1906 Commemorative Challenge Cup Chase at Towcester’s Easter meeting in April.
Altogether, Robert rode Sonny Somers 14 times, recording four wins and eight places. The worst they ever finished was seventh, that being in a highly competitive 16-runner chase at Cheltenham on the eve of the horse’s 15th birthday. No wonder Robert rated him the best he rode.
Altogether, Robert rode Sonny Somers 14 times, recording four wins and eight places. The worst they ever finished was seventh, that being in a highly competitive 16-runner chase at Cheltenham on the eve of the horse’s 15th birthday. No wonder Robert rated him the best he rode.
Sonny Somers would go on to set the record for the oldest winning chaser of modern times when winning at Lingfield and Southwell as an 18-year-old in February 1980, ridden on those occasions by Ben de Haan.
Sonny Somers would go on to set the record for the oldest winning chaser of modern times when winning at Lingfield and Southwell as an 18-year-old in February 1980, ridden on those occasions by Ben de Haan.
Robert achieved one of his biggest victories on the grey Portway Nick in what was the final running of the Worcester Royal Porcelain Handicap Chase on January 3, 1981.
Robert achieved one of his biggest victories on the grey Portway Nick in what was the final running of the Worcester Royal Porcelain Handicap Chase on January 3, 1981.
His sister, Marilyn, married Peter Scudamore. His son, John, followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a National Hunt jockey.
His sister, Marilyn, married Peter Scudamore. His son, John, followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a National Hunt jockey.
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