Arthur Robson
National Hunt jockey Arthur John Robson began his career with leading trainer Bob Gore at Findon, in Sussex. He didn’t make the best of starts, falling on his first mount in public, Charles Surface in the Metropolitan Maiden Hurdle at Sandown on February 3, 1922.
National Hunt jockey Arthur John Robson began his career with leading trainer Bob Gore at Findon, in Sussex. He didn’t make the best of starts, falling on his first mount in public, Charles Surface in the Metropolitan Maiden Hurdle at Sandown on February 3, 1922.
Things could only get better and, a couple of weeks later, they did, with Charles Surface making amends by providing Arthur with his first winner in the Godstone Hurdle at Lingfield Park on February 18, 1922.
Things could only get better and, a couple of weeks later, they did, with Charles Surface making amends by providing Arthur with his first winner in the Godstone Hurdle at Lingfield Park on February 18, 1922.
Spurred on by that initial success, Arthur went on to enjoy his most successful year in 1923 with 13 winners, which included two important successes, Eureka II in the Cotswold Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, and Southampton in Manchester’s Lancashire Chase, both horses trained by Bob Gore.
Spurred on by that initial success, Arthur went on to enjoy his most successful year in 1923 with 13 winners, which included two important successes, Eureka II in the Cotswold Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, and Southampton in Manchester’s Lancashire Chase, both horses trained by Bob Gore.
Later that year, Arthur rode Eureka II to win the valuable Sandown Handicap Chase, beating the 1921 Grand National winner Shaun Spadah by half a length. They teamed up to win again at Lingfield in January 1924 and then landed another prestigious prize by winning the National Trial Chase at Gatwick.
Later that year, Arthur rode Eureka II to win the valuable Sandown Handicap Chase, beating the 1921 Grand National winner Shaun Spadah by half a length. They teamed up to win again at Lingfield in January 1924 and then landed another prestigious prize by winning the National Trial Chase at Gatwick.
On the strength of that Gatwick victory, Arthur and Eureka II were sent off lively 16-1 chances for the 1924 Grand National. They were up with the early leaders when being badly hampered by a riderless horse at the Canal Turn and, along with half a dozen others, were put out of the race.
On the strength of that Gatwick victory, Arthur and Eureka II were sent off lively 16-1 chances for the 1924 Grand National. They were up with the early leaders when being badly hampered by a riderless horse at the Canal Turn and, along with half a dozen others, were put out of the race.
Arthur rode the 12-year-old James Pigg, a 66-1outsider, in the 1925 Grand National but fell on the first circuit. However, he fared better on his next attempt, on Near East in 1933, finishing fourteenth of the nineteen to complete the course.
Arthur rode the 12-year-old James Pigg, a 66-1outsider, in the 1925 Grand National but fell on the first circuit. However, he fared better on his next attempt, on Near East in 1933, finishing fourteenth of the nineteen to complete the course.
His fourth and final Grand National ride, in 1934, was his best. He partnered the grey Uncle Batt, on whom he’d won two four-mile chases at Gatwick earlier that year: the Stayers’ Handicap Chase in January and the Stewards’ Handicap Chase in February. Despite those two victories over the stiff Gatwick fences, Uncle Batt started a relatively ignored 45-1 chance, but he outran his odds. Behind early, Arthur had moved Uncle Batt into eighth place jumping the water. They stayed on dourly on the second circuit to finish fifth behind four outstanding rivals in Golden Miller, Delaneige, Thomond II and Forbra.
His fourth and final Grand National ride, in 1934, was his best. He partnered the grey Uncle Batt, on whom he’d won two four-mile chases at Gatwick earlier that year: the Stayers’ Handicap Chase in January and the Stewards’ Handicap Chase in February. Despite those two victories over the stiff Gatwick fences, Uncle Batt started a relatively ignored 45-1 chance, but he outran his odds. Behind early, Arthur had moved Uncle Batt into eighth place jumping the water. They stayed on dourly on the second circuit to finish fifth behind four outstanding rivals in Golden Miller, Delaneige, Thomond II and Forbra.
Arthur rode his last winner on December 13, 1934 aboard Near East, getting up to force a dead-heat with Evan Williams’ mount Sanctum in the Club Handicap Chase at Lingfield, the course where he’d ridden his first winner 12 years earlier.
Arthur rode his last winner on December 13, 1934 aboard Near East, getting up to force a dead-heat with Evan Williams’ mount Sanctum in the Club Handicap Chase at Lingfield, the course where he’d ridden his first winner 12 years earlier.
Arthur Robson rode a total of 56 winners during his career. He had his final ride on 20-1 outsider Simple Song, trailing in last of five finishers in the Newingreen Chase at Folkestone on May 5, 1938. Ironically, the trainer of the winner was his old boss, Bob Gore.
Arthur Robson rode a total of 56 winners during his career. He had his final ride on 20-1 outsider Simple Song, trailing in last of five finishers in the Newingreen Chase at Folkestone on May 5, 1938. Ironically, the trainer of the winner was his old boss, Bob Gore.
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