Bob Lyall

1900 - 1982

Robert Vincent Lyall was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, on October 13, 1900 and rode the 1931 Grand National winner, Grakle.

Bob was the youngest of five sons of Lincolnshire trainer J G Lyall, all of whom became jump jockeys.

Frank, Bob's eldest brother, had been narrowly beaten on Bloodstone in the 1912 Grand National won by Jerry M. Altogether, Frank rode in six Nationals: Bob rode in nine.

He rode 46 winners during the 1930-31 campaign including, of course, Grakle’s Grand National victory. Bob had been given instructions not to use his whip until the last possible moment as the horse resented it; the plan worked and Grakle won by a length and a half.

In addition to winning the Grand National, Bob won two other races over the fearsome Aintree fences, namely the 1930 Molyneux Chase on Colliery Band and the 1931 Becher Chase on Inverse. He also won the 1929 Scottish Grand National at Bogside on Donzelon and the 1935 Victory Chase at Manchester on Tolvadden.

Bob’s other claim to fame was being the jockey who rode the great Golden Miller when that horse secured the first of his 29 victories at Leicester on January 20, 1931.

Bob’s last winner was on Cornafulla in the Riby Optional Selling Chase at Brocklesby on Saturday, April 6, 1935. Just one hour later his career came to a sudden end, breaking his back when his mount Miss Menander ran out and crashed through the wing of a fence in the Pelham Maiden Chase.

Bob died at his home in Cambridge on July 29, 1982, aged 81. His favourite racecourse had always been Market Rasen – he rode a four-timer there on September 27, 1926 – and his ashes were duly scattered over the course in accordance with his final wishes.