Mark Roddick
1899 -1959
1899 -1959
Marcus George Roddick was born on April 19, 1899. A successful soldier-rider, he owned, trained and rode winners under National Hunt rules during the 1930s, winning the Grand Military Gold Cup three years running. His racing colours were blue, yellow crossbelts, black cap.
Marcus George Roddick was born on April 19, 1899. A successful soldier-rider, he owned, trained and rode winners under National Hunt rules during the 1930s, winning the Grand Military Gold Cup three years running. His racing colours were blue, yellow crossbelts, black cap.
He officiated as 1st Whip for the Shorncliffe Draghounds from 1920 to 1922, prior to pursuing a military career by joining the 10th Royal Hussars.
He officiated as 1st Whip for the Shorncliffe Draghounds from 1920 to 1922, prior to pursuing a military career by joining the 10th Royal Hussars.
He rode his first winner on Forearmed in the Maiden Hunters’ Chase at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting on March 15, 1929. The combination followed up over the same course and distance just 24 hours later, winning the Tally-Ho Hunters’ Chase (below). He rode Forearmed in the 1930 and 1931 renewals of the Grand Military Gold Cup but pulled up both times. His next attempt at the race resulted in a fall from Islandbridge in 1934.
He rode his first winner on Forearmed in the Maiden Hunters’ Chase at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting on March 15, 1929. The combination followed up over the same course and distance just 24 hours later, winning the Tally-Ho Hunters’ Chase (below). He rode Forearmed in the 1930 and 1931 renewals of the Grand Military Gold Cup but pulled up both times. His next attempt at the race resulted in a fall from Islandbridge in 1934.
Mark had attained the rank of Captain by the time Buck Willow gave him his first Grand Military Gold Cup success in 1937, having also ridden him to victory on his previous two starts at Hawthorn Hill and Lingfield. Buck Willow was trained by Peter Thrale at Epsom. However, Mark trained both his other Grand Military Gold Cup winners himself, based at Tidworth, Hampshire.
Mark had attained the rank of Captain by the time Buck Willow gave him his first Grand Military Gold Cup success in 1937, having also ridden him to victory on his previous two starts at Hawthorn Hill and Lingfield. Buck Willow was trained by Peter Thrale at Epsom. However, Mark trained both his other Grand Military Gold Cup winners himself, based at Tidworth, Hampshire.
By far the best of them was Kilstar, on whom he won by an easy 10 lengths in 1938. He sold the horse soon afterwards to Dorothy Paget. Kilstar started favourite for the 1939 Grand National and would probably have won but for making a bad mistake at Becher’s second time round that cost him 20 lengths. In the end he finished third behind Workman and MacMoffat.
By far the best of them was Kilstar, on whom he won by an easy 10 lengths in 1938. He sold the horse soon afterwards to Dorothy Paget. Kilstar started favourite for the 1939 Grand National and would probably have won but for making a bad mistake at Becher’s second time round that cost him 20 lengths. In the end he finished third behind Workman and MacMoffat.
Mark had been promoted to the rank of Major when recording his third successive Grand Military Gold Cup triumph in 1939, this time aboard Fillip. It was the fourth in a series of five straight chase wins for horse and rider in little over a month.
Mark had been promoted to the rank of Major when recording his third successive Grand Military Gold Cup triumph in 1939, this time aboard Fillip. It was the fourth in a series of five straight chase wins for horse and rider in little over a month.
They began by winning the Bulford Open Cup at Shirley Park on February 25, then added the Services’ Open Cup at the Aldershot Military bona fide meeting on March 3, followed by the Salisbury Open Cup at the Army Military bona fide fixture at Windmillhill on March 10. Next came Sandown’s Grand Military Gold Cup by six lengths on March 17, and the five-timer was completed in the Royal Artillery Ubique Handicap Chase at Sandown’s Royal Artillery meeting on March 29.
They began by winning the Bulford Open Cup at Shirley Park on February 25, then added the Services’ Open Cup at the Aldershot Military bona fide meeting on March 3, followed by the Salisbury Open Cup at the Army Military bona fide fixture at Windmillhill on March 10. Next came Sandown’s Grand Military Gold Cup by six lengths on March 17, and the five-timer was completed in the Royal Artillery Ubique Handicap Chase at Sandown’s Royal Artillery meeting on March 29.
During World War II Mark served with the 10th Royal Hussars, Prince of Wales Own, Royal Armoured Corps. He was Commanding Officer of the 4th Armoured Brigade Group in North Africa during 1942. He commanded the 9th Armoured Brigade in Egypt and Libya in 1943, and the 9th Independent Armoured Brigade Group in Italy in 1944.
During World War II Mark served with the 10th Royal Hussars, Prince of Wales Own, Royal Armoured Corps. He was Commanding Officer of the 4th Armoured Brigade Group in North Africa during 1942. He commanded the 9th Armoured Brigade in Egypt and Libya in 1943, and the 9th Independent Armoured Brigade Group in Italy in 1944.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and subsequently attained the rank of Brigadier.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and subsequently attained the rank of Brigadier.
Brigadier Mark Roddick died on August 17, 1959, aged 60.
Brigadier Mark Roddick died on August 17, 1959, aged 60.