Robin Langley
(1943 -1998)
(1943 -1998)
Robin Langley rode under National Hunt rules from 1958 until 1970 when, following a fall, he was forced to retire due to injury.
Robin Langley rode under National Hunt rules from 1958 until 1970 when, following a fall, he was forced to retire due to injury.
Born in Crewe on January 19, 1943, Robin was apprenticed to Ronald Blake and rode his first winner when only 12 years old on Arts Degree at Manchester on November 11, 1955.
Born in Crewe on January 19, 1943, Robin was apprenticed to Ronald Blake and rode his first winner when only 12 years old on Arts Degree at Manchester on November 11, 1955.
When increasing weight made him turn to jumping, he joined George Owen’s stable and rode his first National Hunt winner on Linkslade in the Knighton Handicap Chase at Ludlow on February 25, 1959.
When increasing weight made him turn to jumping, he joined George Owen’s stable and rode his first National Hunt winner on Linkslade in the Knighton Handicap Chase at Ludlow on February 25, 1959.
He gained his first big race victory in 1960, aged 17, winning the Haydock Park National Trial on Highland Dandy.
He gained his first big race victory in 1960, aged 17, winning the Haydock Park National Trial on Highland Dandy.
The best horse he rode was Eternal, on which he won three good races the following season season, namely the 1960 Emblem Handicap Chase and 1961 Lancashire Chase, both at Manchester, and Ludlow’s Forbra Gold Challenge Cup.
The best horse he rode was Eternal, on which he won three good races the following season season, namely the 1960 Emblem Handicap Chase and 1961 Lancashire Chase, both at Manchester, and Ludlow’s Forbra Gold Challenge Cup.
Robin’s other big race win came on Reproduction in the 1962 Tom Coulthwaite Handicap Chase at Haydock. He rode Reproduction the 1964 and 1965 Grand Nationals but failed to finish. In 1964, they were going well in second place when Reproduction fell at the 23rd fence, breaking Robin’s left arm in the process.
Robin’s other big race win came on Reproduction in the 1962 Tom Coulthwaite Handicap Chase at Haydock. He rode Reproduction the 1964 and 1965 Grand Nationals but failed to finish. In 1964, they were going well in second place when Reproduction fell at the 23rd fence, breaking Robin’s left arm in the process.
He rode in six Grand Nationals altogether, completing the course twice, finishing 15th on Fortron on his first attempt in 1962 and sixth on Valbus on his last attempt in 1968.
He rode in six Grand Nationals altogether, completing the course twice, finishing 15th on Fortron on his first attempt in 1962 and sixth on Valbus on his last attempt in 1968.
Robin Langley was on board Ginger McCain's first ever winner as a permit trainer, San Lorenzo in a selling chase at Liverpool on January 2, 1965. Ginger recalled Robin as being “a good jockey and a very brave horseman”.
Robin Langley was on board Ginger McCain's first ever winner as a permit trainer, San Lorenzo in a selling chase at Liverpool on January 2, 1965. Ginger recalled Robin as being “a good jockey and a very brave horseman”.
His brother John rode a few winners over jumps, having at one stage left racing to become a lorry driver because he was getting so few opportunities to ride. At Newcastle on March 25, 1967, John won the opening race on Marylebone Park, then later on the card, Robin won the novices’ chase on Wild Sunset.
His brother John rode a few winners over jumps, having at one stage left racing to become a lorry driver because he was getting so few opportunities to ride. At Newcastle on March 25, 1967, John won the opening race on Marylebone Park, then later on the card, Robin won the novices’ chase on Wild Sunset.
In 1969, Robin was badly injured in a motor accident, resulting in the removal of a knee-cap. Then he fractured his skull when falling on Royal Scandal at Market Rasen on May 9, 1970 and was advised to retire.
In 1969, Robin was badly injured in a motor accident, resulting in the removal of a knee-cap. Then he fractured his skull when falling on Royal Scandal at Market Rasen on May 9, 1970 and was advised to retire.
In early November, 1998, Robin Langley, aged 55, was found hanged at his home in Cheshire.
In early November, 1998, Robin Langley, aged 55, was found hanged at his home in Cheshire.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1960: Haydock Park National Trial – Highland Dandy
1960: Haydock Park National Trial – Highland Dandy
1960: Emblem Handicap Chase – Eternal
1960: Emblem Handicap Chase – Eternal
1961: Lancashire Chase – Eternal
1961: Lancashire Chase – Eternal
1962: Tom Coulthwaite Handicap Chase – Reproduction
1962: Tom Coulthwaite Handicap Chase – Reproduction