Robert McKinley
Robert McKinley
Robert McKinley
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Robert Smith McKinley had four wins under National Hunt rules in the late 1950s. He had finished second on his first ride when Marston Magna looked like winning the March Open Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park’s Grand Military meeting on March 16, 1956, but could not quicken when challenged by Eric Campbell on Protection and was beaten by half a length.
Robert Smith McKinley had four wins under National Hunt rules in the late 1950s. He had finished second on his first ride when Marston Magna looked like winning the March Open Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park’s Grand Military meeting on March 16, 1956, but could not quicken when challenged by Eric Campbell on Protection and was beaten by half a length.
His first win took place on the Saturday of Plumpton’s Easter meeting, April 20, 1957, when Jungle Warfare landed the Heathfield Handicap Chase. Trained at Epsom by Peter Thrale, the five-year-old mare beat Alan Oughton on Dictaphone by four lengths.
His first win took place on the Saturday of Plumpton’s Easter meeting, April 20, 1957, when Jungle Warfare landed the Heathfield Handicap Chase. Trained at Epsom by Peter Thrale, the five-year-old mare beat Alan Oughton on Dictaphone by four lengths.
After ending the season with a second place finish at Southwell in May, Robert and Jungle Warfare went one better by taking the Barnham Handicap Chase at Fontwell Park on October 8, this time finishing a neck ahead of the redoubtable Captain Piers Bengough on Eastern Chance.
After ending the season with a second place finish at Southwell in May, Robert and Jungle Warfare went one better by taking the Barnham Handicap Chase at Fontwell Park on October 8, this time finishing a neck ahead of the redoubtable Captain Piers Bengough on Eastern Chance.
Jungle Warfare never ran again and Robert had to wait until the end of the season before winning the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on Whit Monday aboard 11-4 favourite Duck Hawk, beating Chalk End, the mount of Edgar Springate, by three lengths.
Jungle Warfare never ran again and Robert had to wait until the end of the season before winning the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on Whit Monday aboard 11-4 favourite Duck Hawk, beating Chalk End, the mount of Edgar Springate, by three lengths.
His final winner was the five-year-old Retain, owned by Sir Gordon Munro and trained by Peter Thrale, in the Sevenoaks Novices’ Chase at Lingfield Park on February 13, 1959. They beat Admiral Stuart, ridden by Derek Ancil, by three-quarters of a length. After finishing second at Newbury two weeks later, the partnership ended when Retain refused on his last start at Uttoxeter on March 31.
His final winner was the five-year-old Retain, owned by Sir Gordon Munro and trained by Peter Thrale, in the Sevenoaks Novices’ Chase at Lingfield Park on February 13, 1959. They beat Admiral Stuart, ridden by Derek Ancil, by three-quarters of a length. After finishing second at Newbury two weeks later, the partnership ended when Retain refused on his last start at Uttoxeter on March 31.
Robert’s final ride was Speldhurst Boy, unplaced in the Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Hurst Park on January 5, 1961.
Robert’s final ride was Speldhurst Boy, unplaced in the Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Hurst Park on January 5, 1961.
Robert McKinley’s winners were, in chronological order:
Robert McKinley’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Jungle Warfare, Plumpton, April 20, 1957
1. Jungle Warfare, Plumpton, April 20, 1957
2. Jungle Warfare, Fontwell Park, October 8, 1957
2. Jungle Warfare, Fontwell Park, October 8, 1957
3. Duck Hawk, Huntingdon, May 26, 1958
3. Duck Hawk, Huntingdon, May 26, 1958
4. Retain, Lingfield Park, February 13, 1959
4. Retain, Lingfield Park, February 13, 1959
Robert McKinley's final winner, Retain, Lingfield Park, February 13, 1959
Robert McKinley's final winner, Retain, Lingfield Park, February 13, 1959