Anthony Robinson
Amateur rider Mr Anthony Stanley Robinson was born on April 25, 1937. He came to prominence when winning the Grand Annual at Cheltenham on March 19, 1969.
Amateur rider Mr Anthony Stanley Robinson was born on April 25, 1937. He came to prominence when winning the Grand Annual at Cheltenham on March 19, 1969.
His mount, the grey All Glory, in which Anthony had a half-share, was the only one who could raise a real gallop in the last half-mile in the badly cut up going.
His mount, the grey All Glory, in which Anthony had a half-share, was the only one who could raise a real gallop in the last half-mile in the badly cut up going.
Anthony owned the brilliant but unlucky Tied Cottage who won the 1976 Sun Alliance for him when ridden by Tommy Carberry.
Anthony owned the brilliant but unlucky Tied Cottage who won the 1976 Sun Alliance for him when ridden by Tommy Carberry.
It should have been, and was, a brilliant day for Anthony, but the young man carried a secret.
It should have been, and was, a brilliant day for Anthony, but the young man carried a secret.
He was dying of cancer.
He was dying of cancer.
In a story to mirror Bob Champion's Grand National success on Aldaniti, Anthony, too, had contracted the dreadful disease in the late 70s. By and large he kept the story out of the newspapers but, after major surgery, news filtered through to the English authorities who then declined to renew his amateur licence.
In a story to mirror Bob Champion's Grand National success on Aldaniti, Anthony, too, had contracted the dreadful disease in the late 70s. By and large he kept the story out of the newspapers but, after major surgery, news filtered through to the English authorities who then declined to renew his amateur licence.
Not to be deflected, Anthony applied for, and was granted, an Irish riding licence, receiving it in time to partner Tied Cottage at Fairyhouse in April 1979 in the Irish Grand National.
Not to be deflected, Anthony applied for, and was granted, an Irish riding licence, receiving it in time to partner Tied Cottage at Fairyhouse in April 1979 in the Irish Grand National.
Tied Cottage had fallen in its last race - at the very last fence with the Cheltenham Gold Cup at his mercy - but now, in its usual fashion, he set out to make all the running and did so until headed at the second last by Tommy Carmody on Prince Rock.
Tied Cottage had fallen in its last race - at the very last fence with the Cheltenham Gold Cup at his mercy - but now, in its usual fashion, he set out to make all the running and did so until headed at the second last by Tommy Carmody on Prince Rock.
Over the last, Prince Rock held a slender lead but Tied Cottage, so much fitter than his ailing rider, immediately challenged again.
Over the last, Prince Rock held a slender lead but Tied Cottage, so much fitter than his ailing rider, immediately challenged again.
Tommy Carmody, a brilliant, young professional and Anthony, lacking in style and strength, settled down to fight out the finish. Close to exhaustion, but with years of experience behind him, Anthony summoned one last, supreme effort from Tied Cottage who, battling on like a hero, crossed the line a neck in front of Prince Rock.
Tommy Carmody, a brilliant, young professional and Anthony, lacking in style and strength, settled down to fight out the finish. Close to exhaustion, but with years of experience behind him, Anthony summoned one last, supreme effort from Tied Cottage who, battling on like a hero, crossed the line a neck in front of Prince Rock.
True to character, Anthony avoided what publicity he could and insisted that his illness should not be mentioned.
True to character, Anthony avoided what publicity he could and insisted that his illness should not be mentioned.
Anthony and Bob Champion had not unnaturally become great friends: when Bob was fighting the disease, Anthony told him that he had also had cancer and that he had required major surgery. He had actively encouraged Bob to continue with his plans to resume his former career.
Anthony and Bob Champion had not unnaturally become great friends: when Bob was fighting the disease, Anthony told him that he had also had cancer and that he had required major surgery. He had actively encouraged Bob to continue with his plans to resume his former career.
At Cheltenham in March 1980, Anthony showed Bob a letter from his own specialist confirming that he was fit to ride and promised full support if Bob found any difficulty in obtaining his licence from the Jockey Club.
At Cheltenham in March 1980, Anthony showed Bob a letter from his own specialist confirming that he was fit to ride and promised full support if Bob found any difficulty in obtaining his licence from the Jockey Club.
Anthony's own rotten luck continued when, aged 12, Tied Cottage eventually won the Cheltenham Gold Cup only to be subsequently disqualified when a marginal amount of contaminated feed was found in his system.
Anthony's own rotten luck continued when, aged 12, Tied Cottage eventually won the Cheltenham Gold Cup only to be subsequently disqualified when a marginal amount of contaminated feed was found in his system.
Unbowed, Anthony turned up at Warwick racecourse that June to present the Gold Cup to Arthur Barrow, owner of the Cheltenham runner-up, Master Smudge.
Unbowed, Anthony turned up at Warwick racecourse that June to present the Gold Cup to Arthur Barrow, owner of the Cheltenham runner-up, Master Smudge.
Having shown Bob Champion his letter of well-being in March, Anthony suddenly, in April, became very ill again. He insisted on riding Tied Cottage at Cheltenham that month, his only ride of the season and final ride ever.
Having shown Bob Champion his letter of well-being in March, Anthony suddenly, in April, became very ill again. He insisted on riding Tied Cottage at Cheltenham that month, his only ride of the season and final ride ever.
His cancer had returned: in an attempt to halt its insidious spread, Anthony had another operation In July. It was unsuccessful, and Anthony died at his home in England on August 2, 1980, aged 43.
His cancer had returned: in an attempt to halt its insidious spread, Anthony had another operation In July. It was unsuccessful, and Anthony died at his home in England on August 2, 1980, aged 43.
Bob Champion was totally devastated by his death.
Bob Champion was totally devastated by his death.
He said at the time: 'I was very, very sorry to hear the news because he had put up such a tough and prolonged fight. He deserved a better fate.'
He said at the time: 'I was very, very sorry to hear the news because he had put up such a tough and prolonged fight. He deserved a better fate.'
Other horses that Anthony had great fun with were Good Prospect, later acquired by Prince Charles, and Arctic Ale.
Other horses that Anthony had great fun with were Good Prospect, later acquired by Prince Charles, and Arctic Ale.
He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his friends in a pub, talking about steeplechasing.
He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his friends in a pub, talking about steeplechasing.
To Anthony, taking part was more important than winning.
To Anthony, taking part was more important than winning.
A race, The Anthony Robinson Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase, commemorated his life and was first run at Stratford in 1986.
A race, The Anthony Robinson Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase, commemorated his life and was first run at Stratford in 1986.