Herbert Randall
1877 -1959
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Herbert Edward Randall, always known as 'Bert', was born in Northampton on February 10, 1877.
He was the younger son of Sir Henry Randall (1847-1930), the ex-major of Northampton and prosperous shoe manufacturer and shoemaker to royalty. His background was unusual in that, rather than serving an apprenticeship, he began as an amateur on the Flat in the late 1890s.
Herbert Randall made his racecourse debut on Noble Nora at Nottingham on Tuesday, April 13, 1897, finishing last of six runners in the Robin Hood Stakes.
Herbert rode his first winner on Beverini in the Buccleugh Heavy-weight Handicap Plate at Northampton on March 31, 1898.
Beverini's win was well anticipated
He soon received permission to ride against professionals on equal terms and rode 56 winners in 1900 and 67 – a record for an amateur – the following year. He turned professional in 1902 and made an immediate impact in his first year with a professional licence when riding Sceptre – one of the greatest horses of all time – to the victory in the first three Classics: the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas and Oaks. However, he was disconsolate when beaten on the filly in the Derby, finishing only fourth behind Ard Patrick. He blamed himself for giving her a bad ride.
He soon received permission to ride against professionals on equal terms and rode 56 winners in 1900 and 67 – a record for an amateur – the following year. He turned professional in 1902 and made an immediate impact in his first year with a professional licence when riding Sceptre – one of the greatest horses of all time – to the victory in the first three Classics: the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas and Oaks. However, he was disconsolate when beaten on the filly in the Derby, finishing only fourth behind Ard Patrick. He blamed himself for giving her a bad ride.
Following another ill-judged ride on her in Ascot’s Coronation Stakes, owner Bob Sievier replaced him in the St Leger, which Sceptre won in the hands of Frank Hardy.
Following another ill-judged ride on her in Ascot’s Coronation Stakes, owner Bob Sievier replaced him in the St Leger, which Sceptre won in the hands of Frank Hardy.
Newmarket Wednesday April 30 1902. A cold, sunless day accentuated by drizzling rain on which the brilliant Sceptre gave Herbert Randall the first of his five classic wins.
Newmarket Friday May 22 1902. Herbert & Sceptre strike again.
On May 1, 1903, Herbert Randall won the One Thousand Guineas for a second time. When the barrier was raised, Guigue, Hammerkop and San Rose were hung in tapes. An objection was later made, then withdrawn, to the stewards.
Herbert and Sceptre land their second classic race of 1902 when winning The Oaks in a common canter.
Sceptre and Herbert, The Oaks winners June 6 1902
Herbert won a second Oaks on outsider Glass Doll on Friday June 7, 1907
Besides his five Classic victories, he won the 1905 Sussex Stakes, 1906 King’s Stand Stakes and 1906 July Cup, all three on Thrush. He also won Epsom’s City and Suburban twice on Mr Joel’s popular handicapper Dean Swift and, for his father, the 1903 Goodwood Plate on Genius. In addition, he dead-heated for the 1904 Manchester Cup on Scullion and won the 1907 Liverpool Autumn Cup on Menu.
Besides his five Classic victories, he won the 1905 Sussex Stakes, 1906 King’s Stand Stakes and 1906 July Cup, all three on Thrush. He also won Epsom’s City and Suburban twice on Mr Joel’s popular handicapper Dean Swift and, for his father, the 1903 Goodwood Plate on Genius. In addition, he dead-heated for the 1904 Manchester Cup on Scullion and won the 1907 Liverpool Autumn Cup on Menu.
Goodwood Thursday 3 August 1905, Herbert & Thrush easily beat solitary opponent Commune in the Sussex Stakes. The day before, the pair had finished second in the Stewards' Cup.
Ascot Friday June 22 1906. All three runners started at 2-1, but Thrush proved the betting wrong, skating home by four lengths
Herbert Randall
November 8 1907. Menu, the rank outsider, wins the Liverpool Autumn Cup at 25-1
When he was selected to be first jockey to the powerful Kingsclere stable, his retainer was £2,000 a year. The stable was unique in the racing world insomuch as it was registered as a limited company.
When he was selected to be first jockey to the powerful Kingsclere stable, his retainer was £2,000 a year. The stable was unique in the racing world insomuch as it was registered as a limited company.
After relinquishing his jockey’s licence at the end of the 1911 season, he held a Flat trainer’s licence at Seven Barrows, Lambourn in 1912 and 1913 (training three and six winners respectively). He was also successful under National Hunt rules for himself and other owners but returned to the saddle in 1914, winning that year’s Greenham Stakes on the King’s colt Sunny Lake, trained by Richard Marsh.
After relinquishing his jockey’s licence at the end of the 1911 season, he held a Flat trainer’s licence at Seven Barrows, Lambourn in 1912 and 1913 (training three and six winners respectively). He was also successful under National Hunt rules for himself and other owners but returned to the saddle in 1914, winning that year’s Greenham Stakes on the King’s colt Sunny Lake, trained by Richard Marsh.
His last winner was Stung Again in the Selling Stakes at Goodwood on July 29, 1914. He had his final ride when finishing unplaced on Cherrible in the Hollybush Selling Plate at Gatwick on July 14, 1916.
His last winner was Stung Again in the Selling Stakes at Goodwood on July 29, 1914. He had his final ride when finishing unplaced on Cherrible in the Hollybush Selling Plate at Gatwick on July 14, 1916.
Having overseen his training operation during his two-year riding comeback, he left Seven Barrows in 1916 and spent the second half of the First World War in Lincolnshire as an inspector of motor land tractors.
Having overseen his training operation during his two-year riding comeback, he left Seven Barrows in 1916 and spent the second half of the First World War in Lincolnshire as an inspector of motor land tractors.
After the war he again briefly trained, this time at Tilshead in Wiltshire in 1921 and 1922 but the venture did not prosper financially and he was not seen on a racecourse again.
After the war he again briefly trained, this time at Tilshead in Wiltshire in 1921 and 1922 but the venture did not prosper financially and he was not seen on a racecourse again.
Herbert was married to the niece of the Lancashire cricketer, Mr A. N. Hornby.
Herbert was married to the niece of the Lancashire cricketer, Mr A. N. Hornby.
Towards the end of his life he lived in Croft Road, Swindon. He died in a Swindon nursing home on October 1, 1959, aged 82. He left £3,420.
Towards the end of his life he lived in Croft Road, Swindon. He died in a Swindon nursing home on October 1, 1959, aged 82. He left £3,420.
Altogether, he rode 666 winners, including seven over the jumps. Ironically, despite having won five Classics, he is probably, unkindly, best remembered as the jockey who did not win the Derby on Sceptre.
Altogether, he rode 666 winners, including seven over the jumps. Ironically, despite having won five Classics, he is probably, unkindly, best remembered as the jockey who did not win the Derby on Sceptre.
Herbert Randall’s classic winners were:
Herbert Randall’s classic winners were:
Two Thousand Guineas: Sceptre (1902)
Two Thousand Guineas: Sceptre (1902)
One Thousand Guineas: Sceptre (1902) and Quintessence (1903)
One Thousand Guineas: Sceptre (1902) and Quintessence (1903)
The Oaks: Sceptre (1902) and Glass Doll 1907
The Oaks: Sceptre (1902) and Glass Doll 1907
Additional information sourced from ‘A Biographical Dictionary of Racehorse Trainers in Berkshire 1850-1939’ by David Boyd, published in 1998.
Additional information sourced from ‘A Biographical Dictionary of Racehorse Trainers in Berkshire 1850-1939’ by David Boyd, published in 1998.
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