Robert Lee
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
National Hunt jockey Robert Lee spent the whole of his riding career as head lad cum stable jockey to Jim Twibell, who trained at Dinnington, near Sheffield. He rode a total of twelve winners, all but one of them trained by Twibell.
National Hunt jockey Robert Lee spent the whole of his riding career as head lad cum stable jockey to Jim Twibell, who trained at Dinnington, near Sheffield. He rode a total of twelve winners, all but one of them trained by Twibell.
He took out a licence in 1966 but it wasn’t until December 4, 1968 that he rode his first winner, selling hurdler En Bee at Market Rasen. His sole success of the 1969/70 season was a rare outside ride for Steve Norton on Dunromic in a novice riders’ selling hurdle at Sedgefield.
He took out a licence in 1966 but it wasn’t until December 4, 1968 that he rode his first winner, selling hurdler En Bee at Market Rasen. His sole success of the 1969/70 season was a rare outside ride for Steve Norton on Dunromic in a novice riders’ selling hurdle at Sedgefield.
On December 2, 1970 Robert rode a horse named Seventa to finish tenth in the Long Distance Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Worcester. At the time, the race was not deemed worthy of special attention but it certainly proved to be in retrospect, because the winner of that race, Multigrey, was the very first in the career of future multi-champion jockey John Francome.
On December 2, 1970 Robert rode a horse named Seventa to finish tenth in the Long Distance Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Worcester. At the time, the race was not deemed worthy of special attention but it certainly proved to be in retrospect, because the winner of that race, Multigrey, was the very first in the career of future multi-champion jockey John Francome.
Twelve days later, Fulstar gave Robert his first (and only) winner over fences when landing a Nottingham selling chase, his other success that season coming on Above And Beyond at Huntingdon on Easter Monday 1971. Almost four years then passed before he finally rode another winner, selling hurdler Gypsy Queen at Sedgefield in March 1975, following up next time out in similar company at Market Rasen.
Twelve days later, Fulstar gave Robert his first (and only) winner over fences when landing a Nottingham selling chase, his other success that season coming on Above And Beyond at Huntingdon on Easter Monday 1971. Almost four years then passed before he finally rode another winner, selling hurdler Gypsy Queen at Sedgefield in March 1975, following up next time out in similar company at Market Rasen.
Novice hurdler Thirlestane won twice during the 1975/76 season, with Alibita giving him his third with of that campaign when landing the Ovrevoll Perpetual Challenge Trophy Maiden Hurdle on Market Rasen’s Easter Monday card. Three more were achieved during 1976/77, the last two being on selling hurdler Speed Cop on consecutive days at Fakenham and Market Rasen on the final two days of the season.
Novice hurdler Thirlestane won twice during the 1975/76 season, with Alibita giving him his third with of that campaign when landing the Ovrevoll Perpetual Challenge Trophy Maiden Hurdle on Market Rasen’s Easter Monday card. Three more were achieved during 1976/77, the last two being on selling hurdler Speed Cop on consecutive days at Fakenham and Market Rasen on the final two days of the season.
Robert rode for one more season but without success, his last two rides being on novice hurdlers Dunky and Elf-Rose (both unplaced) at Southwell on May 1, 1978.
Robert rode for one more season but without success, his last two rides being on novice hurdlers Dunky and Elf-Rose (both unplaced) at Southwell on May 1, 1978.
Having trained since 1947, Jim Twibell decided to downsize from a licensed trainer to a permit holder in 1979 before giving up altogether in 1982, although he was still riding out on his farm at the age of 80. He died on March 29, 2007, aged 86, and was buried at Dinnington Church.
Having trained since 1947, Jim Twibell decided to downsize from a licensed trainer to a permit holder in 1979 before giving up altogether in 1982, although he was still riding out on his farm at the age of 80. He died on March 29, 2007, aged 86, and was buried at Dinnington Church.
Robert Lee’s winners were, in chronological order:
Robert Lee’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. En Bee, Market Rasen, December 4, 1968
1. En Bee, Market Rasen, December 4, 1968
2. Dunromic, Sedgefield, April 7, 1970
2. Dunromic, Sedgefield, April 7, 1970
3. Fulstar, Nottingham, December 14, 1970
3. Fulstar, Nottingham, December 14, 1970
4. Above And Beyond, Huntingdon, April 12, 1971
4. Above And Beyond, Huntingdon, April 12, 1971
5. Gypsy Queen Sedgefield, March 18, 1975
5. Gypsy Queen Sedgefield, March 18, 1975
6. Gypsy Queen, Market Rasen, April 12, 1975
6. Gypsy Queen, Market Rasen, April 12, 1975
7. Thirlestane, Sedgefield, December 26, 1975
7. Thirlestane, Sedgefield, December 26, 1975
8. Thirlestane, Southwell, April 17, 1976
8. Thirlestane, Southwell, April 17, 1976
9. Alibita, Market Rasen, April 19, 1976
9. Alibita, Market Rasen, April 19, 1976
10. Field Moss, Carlisle, September 25, 1976
10. Field Moss, Carlisle, September 25, 1976
11. Speed Cop, Fakenham, June 6, 1977
11. Speed Cop, Fakenham, June 6, 1977
12. Speed Cop Market Rasen, June 7, 1977
12. Speed Cop Market Rasen, June 7, 1977