Gordon Rogers
Owner-trainer-rider Gordon Byard Rogers lived at Wirswall Hall, Whitchurch, in Shropshire. He rode five winners under National Hunt rules and took part in two Grand Nationals. His racing colours were navy blue, red cross-belts, cap and striped sleeves.
Owner-trainer-rider Gordon Byard Rogers lived at Wirswall Hall, Whitchurch, in Shropshire. He rode five winners under National Hunt rules and took part in two Grand Nationals. His racing colours were navy blue, red cross-belts, cap and striped sleeves.
Educated at Rydal Mount, he served in the Cheshire Yeomanry and the Royal Armoured Corps. A company director who listed hunting as his main form of recreation, he started riding in races after the war on his grey mare Caesar’s Wife. They registered their first victory together in a two-mile handicap hurdle at Woore on October 14, 1948.
Educated at Rydal Mount, he served in the Cheshire Yeomanry and the Royal Armoured Corps. A company director who listed hunting as his main form of recreation, he started riding in races after the war on his grey mare Caesar’s Wife. They registered their first victory together in a two-mile handicap hurdle at Woore on October 14, 1948.
Gordon rode Caesar’s Wife in the 1951 Grand National and avoided the first fence pile-up which saw the field reduced by a third, only to fall at the fence after Becher’s.
Gordon rode Caesar’s Wife in the 1951 Grand National and avoided the first fence pile-up which saw the field reduced by a third, only to fall at the fence after Becher’s.
They tried again the following year but this time parted company at the third fence. However, next time out, Caesar’s Wife romped to victory over three miles at Bangor-on-Dee and then finished second, beaten half a length, at Ludlow.
They tried again the following year but this time parted company at the third fence. However, next time out, Caesar’s Wife romped to victory over three miles at Bangor-on-Dee and then finished second, beaten half a length, at Ludlow.
There was to be no third Grand National attempt. Instead, Caesar’s Wife was sent hunting and rewarded her owner-trainer-rider with hunter chase victories at Uttoxeter and Woore in May 1953.
There was to be no third Grand National attempt. Instead, Caesar’s Wife was sent hunting and rewarded her owner-trainer-rider with hunter chase victories at Uttoxeter and Woore in May 1953.
Gordon rode Caesar’s Wife for the last time at Bangor-on-Dee on October 17, 1953, finishing last of seven, after which she was retired to stud. Her best offspring was the cleverly-named grey mare Beyond Reproach, by Fortina. Gordon rode her over hurdles in 1961, finishing third in a race at Bangor.
Gordon rode Caesar’s Wife for the last time at Bangor-on-Dee on October 17, 1953, finishing last of seven, after which she was retired to stud. Her best offspring was the cleverly-named grey mare Beyond Reproach, by Fortina. Gordon rode her over hurdles in 1961, finishing third in a race at Bangor.
Beyond Reproach progressed to win over fences and, like her dam, was later sent hunting. She duly won a Uttoxeter hunters’ chase on June 7, 1965, ridden by Gordon giving him his first success under National Hunt rules for 12 years.
Beyond Reproach progressed to win over fences and, like her dam, was later sent hunting. She duly won a Uttoxeter hunters’ chase on June 7, 1965, ridden by Gordon giving him his first success under National Hunt rules for 12 years.
Frustratingly, she could never quite get her head in front again. Gordon rode her in several hunter chases over the next two years, finishing second three times, at Bangor and Uttoxeter in 1966 and, lastly, at Uttoxeter on May 31, 1967.
Frustratingly, she could never quite get her head in front again. Gordon rode her in several hunter chases over the next two years, finishing second three times, at Bangor and Uttoxeter in 1966 and, lastly, at Uttoxeter on May 31, 1967.