Bernard Rook
(1912 -1966)
(1912 -1966)
Born in 1912, Bernard John Rook was one of Epsom trainer Stanley Wootton’s star apprentices in the early 1930s. He enjoyed a particularly successful year in 1930, which included riding a winner in the first week (March 31) of the season on Thunder Squall at Warwick, scoring twice at Epsom on Observer – at the Spring Meeting and on Oaks day – and winning a valuable two-year-old contest, the Coworth Stakes, at Hurst Park on Mots D’Or, despite not being able to claim his apprentice allowance due to the high value of the race.
Born in 1912, Bernard John Rook was one of Epsom trainer Stanley Wootton’s star apprentices in the early 1930s. He enjoyed a particularly successful year in 1930, which included riding a winner in the first week (March 31) of the season on Thunder Squall at Warwick, scoring twice at Epsom on Observer – at the Spring Meeting and on Oaks day – and winning a valuable two-year-old contest, the Coworth Stakes, at Hurst Park on Mots D’Or, despite not being able to claim his apprentice allowance due to the high value of the race.
Based in Epsom, he rode as a freelance jockey from 1934 to 1937 and enjoyed plenty of success before going to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where he rode the winners of all the principal races and was leading jockey for several years.
Based in Epsom, he rode as a freelance jockey from 1934 to 1937 and enjoyed plenty of success before going to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where he rode the winners of all the principal races and was leading jockey for several years.
In 1946 he went to India to ride for the Gaekwar of Baroda, returning to Britain in 1950. He rode five winners that year and carried on riding here until 1953. He rode just one more British winner, 100/6 shot Sampa for another Epsom trainer. Harold Wallington, at Folkestone on September 7, 1951.
In 1946 he went to India to ride for the Gaekwar of Baroda, returning to Britain in 1950. He rode five winners that year and carried on riding here until 1953. He rode just one more British winner, 100/6 shot Sampa for another Epsom trainer. Harold Wallington, at Folkestone on September 7, 1951.
Afterwards he had a retainer to ride in California, where he eventually settled down, making his home in Santa Barbara. In 1964 he supervised America’s Olympic team of horses who were due to compete later that year in Tokyo.
Afterwards he had a retainer to ride in California, where he eventually settled down, making his home in Santa Barbara. In 1964 he supervised America’s Olympic team of horses who were due to compete later that year in Tokyo.
Bernard Rook died in October 1966, aged 54, at his home in Santa Barbara, California. He left a widow and two sons.
Bernard Rook died in October 1966, aged 54, at his home in Santa Barbara, California. He left a widow and two sons.