Kevin Roberts

Kevin Roberts

Article by Alan Trout

After a slow start the career of Kevin John Roberts appeared to be gaining momentum when riding seven winners in the 1975/76 season, but there were no more after that. 

Born on May 15, 1963, he had his first ride at Newbury on November 8, 1973, when Rolyat finished a never nearer fifth in the Chequers Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. He was associated with the stable of Grand National-winning trainer Toby Balding, who provided him with his first winner when the six-year-old Croftamie had a comfortable success in the same Newbury race that had seen him make his riding debut the previous season, winning by seven lengths from Willow Hound. 

Among the victories he enjoyed in his most successful season were two more on Croftamie, including in the race at Newbury where he had opened his account. There were two wins on the seven-year-old chaser Bybrook and two on the veteran Frodo, the second of which was Kevin’s final success. This was at Hereford on May 15, 1976, when beating two rivals to land the Hampton Court Opportunity Handicap Chase. 

It was also on Bybrook that Kevin had his last ride when pulling up in the Corton Denham Opportunity Handicap Chase at Wincanton on February 3, 1977. 

Kevin Roberts’ wins were, in chronological order:

1. Croftamie, Newbury, November 7, 1974

2. Bybrook, Fontwell Park, September 16, 1975

3. Croftamie, Newbury, November 6, 1975

4. Bybrook, Taunton, November 20, 1975

5. Gay Dolphin, Huntingdon, December 2, 1975

6. Croftamie, Worcester, March 25, 1976

7. Frodo, Taunton, April 15, 1976

8. Frodo, Hereford, May 15, 1976