Jem Robinson
1794 – 1873
1794 – 1873
The son of John Robinson, the trainer to Mr Paton, James ‘Jem’ Robinson was born on the 22nd of June 1794. Working for his father, young Jem showed an uncommon talent and was quickly taken from the routine of ordinary stable work and exercise to the more responsible practice of riding in private trials. He was soon attracting attention and getting plenty of rides. Such was his progress that he was just twenty when he won his first Derby on Azor in 1817. He became one of the finest riders of his day. He rode six Derby winners among a total of twenty-four Classic wins: only Frank Buckle and Lester Piggott rode more.
The son of John Robinson, the trainer to Mr Paton, James ‘Jem’ Robinson was born on the 22nd of June 1794. Working for his father, young Jem showed an uncommon talent and was quickly taken from the routine of ordinary stable work and exercise to the more responsible practice of riding in private trials. He was soon attracting attention and getting plenty of rides. Such was his progress that he was just twenty when he won his first Derby on Azor in 1817. He became one of the finest riders of his day. He rode six Derby winners among a total of twenty-four Classic wins: only Frank Buckle and Lester Piggott rode more.
Cadland and The Colonel dead-heated in the first running of the 1828 Derby - according to the rules of the day, such a result required the horses to run again over the same course unless both of the owners agreed to divide the prize money. The Colonel's owner, Mr Petrie, declared that he had no intention of dividing and so the deciding heat took place after the next race. Jem Robinson was ‘calm and collected’ – by contrast, Bill Scott, the rider of The Colonel was ‘nervous almost to the point of agitation’ at the prospect of taking on Robinson, who excelled at such matches. Cadland made every yard of the running and held on by a neck to beat the odds-on The Colonel.
Cadland and The Colonel dead-heated in the first running of the 1828 Derby - according to the rules of the day, such a result required the horses to run again over the same course unless both of the owners agreed to divide the prize money. The Colonel's owner, Mr Petrie, declared that he had no intention of dividing and so the deciding heat took place after the next race. Jem Robinson was ‘calm and collected’ – by contrast, Bill Scott, the rider of The Colonel was ‘nervous almost to the point of agitation’ at the prospect of taking on Robinson, who excelled at such matches. Cadland made every yard of the running and held on by a neck to beat the odds-on The Colonel.
In 1824, Jem Robinson took long odds that he would win the Derby, and the Oaks, and get married within seven days. Having won the two Epsom Classics, he won his wager by marrying Miss Powell, whom he had been courting for some time, on Epsom Saturday.
In 1824, Jem Robinson took long odds that he would win the Derby, and the Oaks, and get married within seven days. Having won the two Epsom Classics, he won his wager by marrying Miss Powell, whom he had been courting for some time, on Epsom Saturday.
When he won the 1827 St Leger on Matilda, he was given £1,000 by a grateful punter who had won a considerable amount backing him. Robinson also won the Newmarket Ribblesworth Stakes ten times (when that race was more valuable than the Guineas).
When he won the 1827 St Leger on Matilda, he was given £1,000 by a grateful punter who had won a considerable amount backing him. Robinson also won the Newmarket Ribblesworth Stakes ten times (when that race was more valuable than the Guineas).
Robinson won the 1836 Derby on Bay Middleton after its trainer, James Edwards had met Robinson by chance in London, and – having informed the jockey that the horse was a bad-tempered brute which kept bolting with whoever was in the saddle – begged him for help. Robinson went to Edwards’ stables. By then none of Edwards’ stable lads would ride him. The first meeting of horse and jockey did not go well. Just as Robinson was seated, Bay Middleton bolted ‘going off like a shot’. Gradually, however, they built up an understanding and never looked back. Robinson rode him to victory in all six races of his one season career.
Robinson won the 1836 Derby on Bay Middleton after its trainer, James Edwards had met Robinson by chance in London, and – having informed the jockey that the horse was a bad-tempered brute which kept bolting with whoever was in the saddle – begged him for help. Robinson went to Edwards’ stables. By then none of Edwards’ stable lads would ride him. The first meeting of horse and jockey did not go well. Just as Robinson was seated, Bay Middleton bolted ‘going off like a shot’. Gradually, however, they built up an understanding and never looked back. Robinson rode him to victory in all six races of his one season career.
On Friday July 31st 1835, Jem was booked to ride Rockingham in the King's Plate at Goodwood. It should have been a straightforward task: there was only one other runner - Lucifer, ridden by Twitchett - and Rockingham was made the 1/5 favourite. Futhermore, Twitchett was under orders to allow the favourite to win and, with a furlong only remaining, was at least a dozen lengths behind. Robinson had stopped riding, content to let Rockingham amble home. Then, inexplicably and against his orders, Twitchett suddenly set Lucifer alight. Length by length they moved up and, within a few yards of the winning post, was level. Jem, caught by surprise, had no time to respond and was beaten two lengths. A lucky punter watching from the stands had half-a-crown to £100 to win on Lucifer.
On Friday July 31st 1835, Jem was booked to ride Rockingham in the King's Plate at Goodwood. It should have been a straightforward task: there was only one other runner - Lucifer, ridden by Twitchett - and Rockingham was made the 1/5 favourite. Futhermore, Twitchett was under orders to allow the favourite to win and, with a furlong only remaining, was at least a dozen lengths behind. Robinson had stopped riding, content to let Rockingham amble home. Then, inexplicably and against his orders, Twitchett suddenly set Lucifer alight. Length by length they moved up and, within a few yards of the winning post, was level. Jem, caught by surprise, had no time to respond and was beaten two lengths. A lucky punter watching from the stands had half-a-crown to £100 to win on Lucifer.
On Monday, November 26, 1827, Jem was engaged by The Duke of Leeds to ride his horses the following season. The fee paid to Jem was 300 guineas.
On Monday, November 26, 1827, Jem was engaged by The Duke of Leeds to ride his horses the following season. The fee paid to Jem was 300 guineas.
In 1834, Lord Jersey owned the famous miler, Glencoe, who had won the Two thousand Guineas in a canter and was regarded as a certainty for the Derby. However, in an unfashionable stable at Newmarket stood the brilliant, but not yet heralded, Plenipotentiary. Before the Derby was run, the two-faced each other over the Rowley Mile: Glencoe was to be ridden by the incomparable Jem Robinson - Plenipotentiary by the less famous Patrick Conolly.
In 1834, Lord Jersey owned the famous miler, Glencoe, who had won the Two thousand Guineas in a canter and was regarded as a certainty for the Derby. However, in an unfashionable stable at Newmarket stood the brilliant, but not yet heralded, Plenipotentiary. Before the Derby was run, the two-faced each other over the Rowley Mile: Glencoe was to be ridden by the incomparable Jem Robinson - Plenipotentiary by the less famous Patrick Conolly.
Before the start, Lord Jersey rode contemptuously up to the Ditch Stables to survey the opposition. He then instructed Jem to break quickly force the pace 'in order to make the fat bullock lie down.'
Before the start, Lord Jersey rode contemptuously up to the Ditch Stables to survey the opposition. He then instructed Jem to break quickly force the pace 'in order to make the fat bullock lie down.'
'I broke quickly' said Jem, when subsequently describing the race, 'and went as fast as I could. After half a mile there was the fat bullock cantering lazily at my girths.' Plenipotentiary won that day by four lengths, going on to win that year's Derby at the expense of the Chifney brothers.
'I broke quickly' said Jem, when subsequently describing the race, 'and went as fast as I could. After half a mile there was the fat bullock cantering lazily at my girths.' Plenipotentiary won that day by four lengths, going on to win that year's Derby at the expense of the Chifney brothers.
Compensation awaited in 1836 when Jem, in Lord Jersey's colours, won the Derby on the brilliant Bay Middleton, often described by Jem as the best he'd ridden. There is a painting, by George Herring, in which Jem, riding Bay Middleton, is triumphing over St Leger winner Elis in the Duke Michael Stakes.
Compensation awaited in 1836 when Jem, in Lord Jersey's colours, won the Derby on the brilliant Bay Middleton, often described by Jem as the best he'd ridden. There is a painting, by George Herring, in which Jem, riding Bay Middleton, is triumphing over St Leger winner Elis in the Duke Michael Stakes.
At the age of 59, Jem Robinson was riding Feramorz, an ill-tempered 2-y-o, in a match at Newmarket and broke his thigh when the horse swerved round just after the start. This left him with one leg four inches shorter than the other and his riding career was over.
At the age of 59, Jem Robinson was riding Feramorz, an ill-tempered 2-y-o, in a match at Newmarket and broke his thigh when the horse swerved round just after the start. This left him with one leg four inches shorter than the other and his riding career was over.
Jem retired in by no means affluent circumstances, and every penny of the £50 that the Duke of Rutland gave him every for having won the Derby on Cadland was needed. Cadland’s colours (light blue, purple sleeves) were put up for auction after his death.
Jem retired in by no means affluent circumstances, and every penny of the £50 that the Duke of Rutland gave him every for having won the Derby on Cadland was needed. Cadland’s colours (light blue, purple sleeves) were put up for auction after his death.
Jem died at Newmarket on January 15, 1873.
Jem died at Newmarket on January 15, 1873.
Unlike Frank Buckle who always whipped his mounts overhand, Robinson never did. He always hit the horse underhand unless he was truly vexed with the animal.
Unlike Frank Buckle who always whipped his mounts overhand, Robinson never did. He always hit the horse underhand unless he was truly vexed with the animal.
In 1827 – the year Jem Robinson won the Derby on Marmeluke – a local bookseller, William Dorling, whose shop stood in Epsom High Street - produced “Dorling’s Genuine Card List” that gave the entire Derby runners, owners, jockeys’ colours and horse pedigrees. It was the first-ever racecard, and proved an instant success.
In 1827 – the year Jem Robinson won the Derby on Marmeluke – a local bookseller, William Dorling, whose shop stood in Epsom High Street - produced “Dorling’s Genuine Card List” that gave the entire Derby runners, owners, jockeys’ colours and horse pedigrees. It was the first-ever racecard, and proved an instant success.
Lord Derby was notorious for never giving a present to his winning jockeys. However, when Frank Butler, who was devoted to cock-fighting, rode a particularly fine race in the St Leger, Lord Derby rewarded him with a clutch of eggs of the famous Knowsley breed of gamecocks. Frank carried them back from Knowsley to his Newmarket stables where he provided a hen to sit upon them. Jem Robinson was not only a rival of Frank Butler in the saddle but also in the cockpit. In the middle of the night he bribed a boy to climb onto the roof of Butler’s stables and, after removing some tiles, to substitute some duck eggs for the treasures from Knowsley.
Lord Derby was notorious for never giving a present to his winning jockeys. However, when Frank Butler, who was devoted to cock-fighting, rode a particularly fine race in the St Leger, Lord Derby rewarded him with a clutch of eggs of the famous Knowsley breed of gamecocks. Frank carried them back from Knowsley to his Newmarket stables where he provided a hen to sit upon them. Jem Robinson was not only a rival of Frank Butler in the saddle but also in the cockpit. In the middle of the night he bribed a boy to climb onto the roof of Butler’s stables and, after removing some tiles, to substitute some duck eggs for the treasures from Knowsley.
When the new 'ducklings' duly arrived, Frank Butler was beside himself with anger, complaining bitterly that he had been duped by Lord Derby.
When the new 'ducklings' duly arrived, Frank Butler was beside himself with anger, complaining bitterly that he had been duped by Lord Derby.
Jem made a catastrophic mistake when riding in the King’s Guineas at Goodwood on Friday, July 31st 1835. Riding the 1/5 favourite Rockingham, he was so far clear at the furlong post that he began to ease up to a canter. Seeing this, the jockey on the second, a lad called Twitchett, began riding for all he was worth. Within yards of the winning post, Jem became aware of the situation. Too late!
Jem made a catastrophic mistake when riding in the King’s Guineas at Goodwood on Friday, July 31st 1835. Riding the 1/5 favourite Rockingham, he was so far clear at the furlong post that he began to ease up to a canter. Seeing this, the jockey on the second, a lad called Twitchett, began riding for all he was worth. Within yards of the winning post, Jem became aware of the situation. Too late!
Twitchett, riding Lucifer, stormed past to win by two lengths. There were, it is said, ‘roars of laughter’ from the stands – except from one unfortunate gambler who, in running, had laid his friend £100 to half-a-crown against Lucifer winning!
Twitchett, riding Lucifer, stormed past to win by two lengths. There were, it is said, ‘roars of laughter’ from the stands – except from one unfortunate gambler who, in running, had laid his friend £100 to half-a-crown against Lucifer winning!
Lord Craven’s younger son, Augustus Berkeley Craven, was so distraught at losing £8,000 by betting against Bay Middleton that he shot himself the morning after the race.
Lord Craven’s younger son, Augustus Berkeley Craven, was so distraught at losing £8,000 by betting against Bay Middleton that he shot himself the morning after the race.