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John Roberts
John Roberts
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
John Derek Roberts rode under National Hunt rules, firstly as an amateur and then as a professional, and had four winners altogether, although he actually passed the winning post first five times.
John Derek Roberts rode under National Hunt rules, firstly as an amateur and then as a professional, and had four winners altogether, although he actually passed the winning post first five times.
Born on December 13, 1950, he began as an amateur when based with Captain Tim Forster, achieving his first win on Deidi in the Motorway Selling Hurdle at Taunton on May 7, 1976. The winner was owned and trained by John Baker at Tiverton and beat Garamond, the mount of near namesake Kevin Roberts, by six lengths.
Born on December 13, 1950, he began as an amateur when based with Captain Tim Forster, achieving his first win on Deidi in the Motorway Selling Hurdle at Taunton on May 7, 1976. The winner was owned and trained by John Baker at Tiverton and beat Garamond, the mount of near namesake Kevin Roberts, by six lengths.
He turned professional the following season and had his first ride in the paid ranks, finishing last of four on Swiss Cottage in the Torpoint Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Newton Abbot on August 4, 1976. He had his first win as a professional on Tonedale, trained by John Baker, took the lead at the second last flight and held off the challenge of Graham Thorner on Railway City to take the Elton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Ludlow on October 27.
He turned professional the following season and had his first ride in the paid ranks, finishing last of four on Swiss Cottage in the Torpoint Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Newton Abbot on August 4, 1976. He had his first win as a professional on Tonedale, trained by John Baker, took the lead at the second last flight and held off the challenge of Graham Thorner on Railway City to take the Elton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) at Ludlow on October 27.
Following an unplaced effort at Chepstow, it looked as if the pair had won their second race together when taking the lead at the last flight and running on to land the Cowley Novices’ Hurdle (Division 3, Part 1) at Devon & Exeter on November 23. However, Tonedale had jumped badly left at that final hurdle and hampered runner-up Court Melody, the mount of Roy Mangan. Tonedale was disqualified and placed second.
Following an unplaced effort at Chepstow, it looked as if the pair had won their second race together when taking the lead at the last flight and running on to land the Cowley Novices’ Hurdle (Division 3, Part 1) at Devon & Exeter on November 23. However, Tonedale had jumped badly left at that final hurdle and hampered runner-up Court Melody, the mount of Roy Mangan. Tonedale was disqualified and placed second.
Later that season, returning to Devon & Exeter on March 26, 1977, John gained his third success on the seven-year-old Corraggio, running on strongly to take the Pellew Handicap Hurdle by three lengths.
Later that season, returning to Devon & Exeter on March 26, 1977, John gained his third success on the seven-year-old Corraggio, running on strongly to take the Pellew Handicap Hurdle by three lengths.
It was in the Paignton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on May 4 that John had his final win when Deidi came home ten lengths clear of Mona’s Express. He rode throughout the following season without success, having his last ride at Devon & Exeter on Whit Monday, May 29, 1978, when Cotopaxi was unplaced in the Crediton Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle.
It was in the Paignton Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on May 4 that John had his final win when Deidi came home ten lengths clear of Mona’s Express. He rode throughout the following season without success, having his last ride at Devon & Exeter on Whit Monday, May 29, 1978, when Cotopaxi was unplaced in the Crediton Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle.
He began training in 1981, based initially at Tiverton. At Taunton on December 6, 1984 he provided Luke Harvey with his first winner when 33/1 outsider Bickleigh Bridge won the Arthur Councill Handicap Hurdle for amateur riders.
He began training in 1981, based initially at Tiverton. At Taunton on December 6, 1984 he provided Luke Harvey with his first winner when 33/1 outsider Bickleigh Bridge won the Arthur Councill Handicap Hurdle for amateur riders.
John subsequently relocated to train at Haynes Down Farm, Skilgate, near Taunton, where he remained until relinquishing his licence in 1992.
John subsequently relocated to train at Haynes Down Farm, Skilgate, near Taunton, where he remained until relinquishing his licence in 1992.
John Roberts’ wins were, in chronological order:
John Roberts’ wins were, in chronological order:
1. Deidi, Taunton, May 7, 1976
1. Deidi, Taunton, May 7, 1976
2. Tonedale, Ludlow, October 27, 1976
2. Tonedale, Ludlow, October 27, 1976
3. Corraggio, Devon & Exeter, March 26, 1977
3. Corraggio, Devon & Exeter, March 26, 1977
4. Deidi, Newton Abbot, May 4, 1977
4. Deidi, Newton Abbot, May 4, 1977
John Roberts' first winner as a professional:
Tonedale, Ludlow, October 27, 1976
John Roberts' second professional winner:
Corraggio, Devon & Exeter, March 26, 1977
John Roberts' final winner: Deidi, Newton Abbot, May 4, 1977
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