Arthur Roberts
1911 - 1983
1911 - 1983
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Arthur ‘Mex’ Roberts was a popular lightweight jockey on the northern Flat racing scene during the 1940s and 50s.
Arthur ‘Mex’ Roberts was a popular lightweight jockey on the northern Flat racing scene during the 1940s and 50s.
He was born on November 26, 1911, and grew up in Mexborough, near Doncaster, hence the abbreviated version of his nickname. He was taken on as an apprentice by Dobson Peacock at Manor House, Middleham in 1926 and rode his first winner on Tunstill Maid, bred, owned and trained by Peacock, at Bogside on July 20, 1929.
He was born on November 26, 1911, and grew up in Mexborough, near Doncaster, hence the abbreviated version of his nickname. He was taken on as an apprentice by Dobson Peacock at Manor House, Middleham in 1926 and rode his first winner on Tunstill Maid, bred, owned and trained by Peacock, at Bogside on July 20, 1929.
As an apprentice his services were constantly in demand but when he finished his time in 1932 he made up his mind that there were better fields of opportunity and richer possibilities to be gained abroad. He completed a successful season in Denmark and Sweden in 1933, then a year later accepted a retainer from the Earl of Shannon to ride in India.
As an apprentice his services were constantly in demand but when he finished his time in 1932 he made up his mind that there were better fields of opportunity and richer possibilities to be gained abroad. He completed a successful season in Denmark and Sweden in 1933, then a year later accepted a retainer from the Earl of Shannon to ride in India.
Mex’s hunch that India would turn out a good choice proved correct. Riding firstly for the Earl of Shannon and then for the Maharajah of Gwalior, success in races, big and small, soon came his way. He did not miss a single season plying his trade there and topped the jockeys’ table four times in Poona and twice in Madras, while he was rarely out of the first four in Bombay. He won just about every important race in India, including the Derby, Guineas, St Leger and Eclipse Stakes. He also rode the best of those that had been imported from Britain, including popular 1930s handicapper Finalist and Royal Hunt Cup winner Caerloptic.
Mex’s hunch that India would turn out a good choice proved correct. Riding firstly for the Earl of Shannon and then for the Maharajah of Gwalior, success in races, big and small, soon came his way. He did not miss a single season plying his trade there and topped the jockeys’ table four times in Poona and twice in Madras, while he was rarely out of the first four in Bombay. He won just about every important race in India, including the Derby, Guineas, St Leger and Eclipse Stakes. He also rode the best of those that had been imported from Britain, including popular 1930s handicapper Finalist and Royal Hunt Cup winner Caerloptic.
Political unrest in post-war India following its division with Pakistan in 1948 caused Mex to consider his future and he decided to focus his attention on riding in Britain.
Political unrest in post-war India following its division with Pakistan in 1948 caused Mex to consider his future and he decided to focus his attention on riding in Britain.
Weighing 7st 8lb, his services were soon back in demand. A successful season in 1949 yielded 19 winners. The last of these came on Matt Peacock’s Royal Entrance at Manchester’s November meeting, in which he rode a great finish to edge out Charlie Elliott on the favourite Denizen by a short head.
Weighing 7st 8lb, his services were soon back in demand. A successful season in 1949 yielded 19 winners. The last of these came on Matt Peacock’s Royal Entrance at Manchester’s November meeting, in which he rode a great finish to edge out Charlie Elliott on the favourite Denizen by a short head.
Mex rode 17 winners in 1951 including the Great St Wilfrid Handicap on Presyl and 17 again in 1953, the year in which he achieved his most important success on Gerald Armstrong’s Sailing Light in the Lincolnshire Handicap.
Mex rode 17 winners in 1951 including the Great St Wilfrid Handicap on Presyl and 17 again in 1953, the year in which he achieved his most important success on Gerald Armstrong’s Sailing Light in the Lincolnshire Handicap.
Thereafter, however, winners became harder to find. In 1955 he rode just one, Blue Comet at Ripon on April 30. There was none in 1956, one in 1957, before a mini-revival in fortunes yielded four winners apiece in both 1958 and ’59.
Thereafter, however, winners became harder to find. In 1955 he rode just one, Blue Comet at Ripon on April 30. There was none in 1956, one in 1957, before a mini-revival in fortunes yielded four winners apiece in both 1958 and ’59.
His last winner was on Hardraw Scar for Middleham trainer Dick Peacock at Redcar on June 11, 1960, his only success of the year.
His last winner was on Hardraw Scar for Middleham trainer Dick Peacock at Redcar on June 11, 1960, his only success of the year.
He had a couple of rides early the following season, the last being on Playful Crowd, who finished fifth at Newcastle on April 3, 1961. Mex hung up his riding boots later that year.
He had a couple of rides early the following season, the last being on Playful Crowd, who finished fifth at Newcastle on April 3, 1961. Mex hung up his riding boots later that year.
In later life he lived in Middleham. He died on February 6, 1983, aged 71.
In later life he lived in Middleham. He died on February 6, 1983, aged 71.