G W Robinson

Born in Pheopotstown, Co Meath, on August 5, 1934, George William Robinson rode the mighty Mill House to victory in the 1963 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Five years earlier he had ridden his father's Paddy's Point to come second in Hard Ridden's Derby.

He also came second in the Irish Derby.

He thought that he was 7lb too heavy for the flat and 7lb too light for the jumps.

Discussing Mill House he said: "He was unfortunate to have been born in the same year as Arkle but at least we beat him at Cheltenham in 1963. I'll never forget that great day, riding class horses on that stage with all the prestige and in the race that everybody wants to win.

"Poor old Mill House was a lovely big horse and he never achieved what he was really capable of due to leg and back problems. But I still maintain it was those races between us and Arkle that helped make steeplechasing what it is in the UK now.

"Those two great horses made the public sit up and take notice and let them understand and see the fun of chasing at such a high level."

He added: "Mill House was the best chaser I rode but Irish Imp wasn't that far behind in terms of a top-class performer.

"The two Champion Hurdles and Grand National came when I was with Fulke Walwyn - he asked me to go over to England and it was a job I stayed in for eight or nine years."

The amazing feats of Tony McCoy are not lost on Robinson but he doesn't feel there is much strength in depth among the other modern-day jockeys.

He said: "Take the top ones out and they aren't any better than we were. McCoy is something special though but don't forget the help he's had from Martin Pipe like Scudamore and Dunwoody had before him."

He retired from riding in 1970 and began training in Ireland. In his first full season he saddled King's Company to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Cork & Orrery at Royal Ascot. He won the same race again in 1980 with Kearney.

He died on August 14, 2020, aged 86.

First winner: Reinstated, Maiden Plate (bumper), Navan, June 2, 1954

Grand National winner: Team Spirit (1964)

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Mill House (1963)

Champion Hurdle winners: Anzio (1962), Kirriemuir (1965)

Other major winners:

1960: Mildmay Memorial Chase – Team Spirit

1960: Hurst Park National Trial Chase – Team Spirit

1961: Cathcart Chase – Quita Que

1961: Hennessy Gold Cup – Mandarin

1962: Gloucestershire Hurdle, Div 2 – Clerical Grey

1963: National Hunt Handicap Chase – Team Spirit

1963: Cathcart Chase – Some Alibi

1963: Grand Sefton Chase – Team Spirit

1963: Mackeson Novices’ Chase – Irish Imp

1963: Hennessy Gold Cup – Mill House

1963: King George VI Chase – Mill House

1963: Tote Investors’ Trophy Chase – Irish Imp

1964: Withington Handicap Chase – Popham Down

1964: Gainsborough Chase – Mill House

1964: Newbury Spring Chase – Irish Imp

1964: Grand Annual Chase – Richard Of Bordeaux

1964: Coronation Hurdle – Dionysus

1964: Liverpool Hurdle – Sempervivum

1965: Mandarin Chase – Mill House

1965: Gainsborough Chase – Mill House

1966: Cheltenham Trial Hurdle – Sempervivum

1967: Gainsborough Chase – Mill House

1968: Coronation Hurdle, Div 1 – Pony Express

1968: Hennessy Gold Cup – Man Of The West

1969: Gloucestershire Hurdle, Div 2 – Private Room

1969: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Mugatpura

1970: Mandarin Chase – Lord Jim

In Ireland

1956: Leopardstown Chase – Nibot

1957: Irish Grand National – Kilballyown

1957: Galway Hurdle – Tymon Castle

1958: Leopardstown November Handicap – Albany Star

1958: Christmas Chase – Quita Que

1959: Leopardstown Chase – Zonda

1960: John Jameson Cup Chase – Oberstown

1960: Galway Hurdle – Commutering

1961: Leopardstown Chase – Jonjo

1961: Power Gold Cup Chase – Commutering

1963: Ulster Harp National – Laffy

1968: Galway Plate – Terossian

Epsom Derby runner-up: Paddy’s Point (1958)

Champion jockey in Ireland (Flat/jumps combined): 1958 (46 wins)

Classic winner as a trainer: King’s Company (1971 Irish 2,000 Guineas)

Cork and Orrery Stakes winners as a trainer: King’s Company (1971), Kearney (1980)

Last winner as a trainer: Lupine, Curragh, September 21, 2003.