Ben Roberts
1887 - 1942
1887 - 1942
Better known as a trainer than a jockey, Benjamin Roberts rode professionally under National Hunt rules, amassing 39 wins between 1910 and 1921 in a career compromised by World War One.
Better known as a trainer than a jockey, Benjamin Roberts rode professionally under National Hunt rules, amassing 39 wins between 1910 and 1921 in a career compromised by World War One.
Born in Pembrokeshire on January 3, 1887, he had his first ride under NH rules when finishing seventh on Jack Sparrow in the Yatesbury Selling Hurdle at Newbury on December 29, 1909.
Born in Pembrokeshire on January 3, 1887, he had his first ride under NH rules when finishing seventh on Jack Sparrow in the Yatesbury Selling Hurdle at Newbury on December 29, 1909.
He rode his first winner on Irish Molly II in a match race for the Wheatland Chase at Bridgnorth on April 19, 1910, being gifted the race when his sole rival, the odds-on favourite Sedition, fell and was subsequently remounted to finish a distant second.
He rode his first winner on Irish Molly II in a match race for the Wheatland Chase at Bridgnorth on April 19, 1910, being gifted the race when his sole rival, the odds-on favourite Sedition, fell and was subsequently remounted to finish a distant second.
He had his only ride in the Grand National in 1911 on 50-1 chance Carder, who was among the 21 fallers in that year’s race, three of them being remounted to finish second, third and fourth behind Glenside, the only one to complete the course without mishap.
He had his only ride in the Grand National in 1911 on 50-1 chance Carder, who was among the 21 fallers in that year’s race, three of them being remounted to finish second, third and fourth behind Glenside, the only one to complete the course without mishap.
Following the Great War, Ben commenced training at Prestbury, Cheltenham while continuing to ride and went on to have his most successful year in 1920 with eight wins. Half of those came courtesy of one of his own horses, Kaffir King, on whom he won handicap hurdles at Manchester in March, Cardiff on Easter Monday, and Leicester and Derby in December. His other four wins that year were all gained during April on selling hurdler Truck, trained by Alf Newey, at Cardiff, Colwall Park, Glamorgan Hunt and Worcester.
Following the Great War, Ben commenced training at Prestbury, Cheltenham while continuing to ride and went on to have his most successful year in 1920 with eight wins. Half of those came courtesy of one of his own horses, Kaffir King, on whom he won handicap hurdles at Manchester in March, Cardiff on Easter Monday, and Leicester and Derby in December. His other four wins that year were all gained during April on selling hurdler Truck, trained by Alf Newey, at Cardiff, Colwall Park, Glamorgan Hunt and Worcester.
Ben’s last win came on 13-year-old Sultan VI (who he also trained) who walked over for the Barton Court Selling Handicap Chase at Colwall Park on October 1, 1921. He rode for the final time when finishing unplaced on Kroon Belle in the Malvern Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 31, 1923.
Ben’s last win came on 13-year-old Sultan VI (who he also trained) who walked over for the Barton Court Selling Handicap Chase at Colwall Park on October 1, 1921. He rode for the final time when finishing unplaced on Kroon Belle in the Malvern Selling Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 31, 1923.
He continued to train at Prestbury, on the borders of Cheltenham’s racecourse. His apprentice graduates included Davy Jones, who joined him in 1925 and would go on to enjoy a long career under both Flat and National Hunt rules, achieving his biggest success on Red Rower in the 1945 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He continued to train at Prestbury, on the borders of Cheltenham’s racecourse. His apprentice graduates included Davy Jones, who joined him in 1925 and would go on to enjoy a long career under both Flat and National Hunt rules, achieving his biggest success on Red Rower in the 1945 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Sadly, Ben Roberts did not live to see that famous triumph. He died on October 30, 1942, aged 55. His son, John (1917-1974), took over the training licence and achieved by far his biggest success when winning the 1954 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Four Ten.
Sadly, Ben Roberts did not live to see that famous triumph. He died on October 30, 1942, aged 55. His son, John (1917-1974), took over the training licence and achieved by far his biggest success when winning the 1954 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Four Ten.