Philip Robinson
Born on January 10, 1961, at Newmarket, Philip rode his first winner, Busting, at Yarmouth, 15 June, 1978. Within a fortnight, his father, Peter, for whom he served his apprenticeship, died from a heart attack in his car whilst returning from Salisbury races on June 28.
Born on January 10, 1961, at Newmarket, Philip rode his first winner, Busting, at Yarmouth, 15 June, 1978. Within a fortnight, his father, Peter, for whom he served his apprenticeship, died from a heart attack in his car whilst returning from Salisbury races on June 28.
Frankie Durr took over the Fitzroy Stables and Philip continued as an apprentice there, becoming champion claimer in 1979 with 51 winners and again in 1980 with 59. This last total was to be his highest ever in one season.
Frankie Durr took over the Fitzroy Stables and Philip continued as an apprentice there, becoming champion claimer in 1979 with 51 winners and again in 1980 with 59. This last total was to be his highest ever in one season.
In 1980 he gained his first major handicap wins with Karamita (Extel) and Swelter (Portland).
In 1980 he gained his first major handicap wins with Karamita (Extel) and Swelter (Portland).
Other good races came his way, particularly on the Continent. Replacing Lester Piggott, he rode Prima Voce in Belgium's £40,000 Grand Prix Prince Rose in 1983. He also, in 1984, pulled off the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas double on Pebbles and Katies.
Other good races came his way, particularly on the Continent. Replacing Lester Piggott, he rode Prima Voce in Belgium's £40,000 Grand Prix Prince Rose in 1983. He also, in 1984, pulled off the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas double on Pebbles and Katies.
Philip owes a great debt to Midlands trainer John Spearing, whose prolific winners Cree Bay and On Edge helped him at a time when his career in the saddle was faltering.
Philip owes a great debt to Midlands trainer John Spearing, whose prolific winners Cree Bay and On Edge helped him at a time when his career in the saddle was faltering.
He rode On Edge to victory on five occasions in 1981 and the next year won on Cree Bay seven times.
He rode On Edge to victory on five occasions in 1981 and the next year won on Cree Bay seven times.
Philip rode his share of good winners, including: 1,000 Guineas (2001, Ameerat), Champion Stakes (2003, Rakti), Coronation Cup (1984, Katies & 2000, Crimplene), Lockinge (2005, Rakti), Nassau Stakes (2000, Crimplene), Prince of Wales's Stakes (2004, Rakti), Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2004, Rakti) and St Leger (1993, Bob's Return).
Philip rode his share of good winners, including: 1,000 Guineas (2001, Ameerat), Champion Stakes (2003, Rakti), Coronation Cup (1984, Katies & 2000, Crimplene), Lockinge (2005, Rakti), Nassau Stakes (2000, Crimplene), Prince of Wales's Stakes (2004, Rakti), Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2004, Rakti) and St Leger (1993, Bob's Return).
Philip Robinson retired aged 50; the death of Michael Jarvis, for whom Philip had ridden for many years, contributed to his decision.
Philip Robinson retired aged 50; the death of Michael Jarvis, for whom Philip had ridden for many years, contributed to his decision.
In a 33 year career, Philip had ridden some 1,400 winners.
In a 33 year career, Philip had ridden some 1,400 winners.
His final winner was Miblish on September 17, 2011. He retired shortly afterwards.
His final winner was Miblish on September 17, 2011. He retired shortly afterwards.
Philip, who had been given a new lease of life last winter after undergoing major hip surgery, said: "You have got to finish some time and this is the right time for me. It was never going to be the same after working for Michael for so long, and I think it was always going to be too hard to work with somebody else."
Philip, who had been given a new lease of life last winter after undergoing major hip surgery, said: "You have got to finish some time and this is the right time for me. It was never going to be the same after working for Michael for so long, and I think it was always going to be too hard to work with somebody else."
Looking back on his career, he said: "I think my greatest achievement was being champion in Hong Kong twice because that is very difficult to do, but I'm also delighted to have had Classic winners for Michael, Clive, Mark and Mick, who have also been close friends of mine."
Looking back on his career, he said: "I think my greatest achievement was being champion in Hong Kong twice because that is very difficult to do, but I'm also delighted to have had Classic winners for Michael, Clive, Mark and Mick, who have also been close friends of mine."
Robinson believes his reputation as a master of tactics was largely due to the confidence installed in him by Jarvis.
Robinson believes his reputation as a master of tactics was largely due to the confidence installed in him by Jarvis.
The jockey said: "He gave me a free rein to use my initiative at a time when not many trainers did. I felt so at ease in the job that if I spotted an advantage on the way to the start, I felt assured I could try it out knowing that Michael would support me even if it turned out wrong.
The jockey said: "He gave me a free rein to use my initiative at a time when not many trainers did. I felt so at ease in the job that if I spotted an advantage on the way to the start, I felt assured I could try it out knowing that Michael would support me even if it turned out wrong.
"I couldn't say that about every trainer, and I'm sure some jockeys would lose their job doing it, but luckily for me nine times out of ten it proved the right move."
"I couldn't say that about every trainer, and I'm sure some jockeys would lose their job doing it, but luckily for me nine times out of ten it proved the right move."
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
One Thousand Guineas: Pebbles (1984), Ameerat (2001)
One Thousand Guineas: Pebbles (1984), Ameerat (2001)
St Leger: Bob’s Return (1993)
St Leger: Bob’s Return (1993)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1978: Andy Capp Handicap – Mr Pringle
1978: Andy Capp Handicap – Mr Pringle
1979: Great Jubilee Handicap – Smartset
1979: Great Jubilee Handicap – Smartset
1980: Dee Stakes – Playboy Jubilee
1980: Dee Stakes – Playboy Jubilee
1980: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Gift Wrapped
1980: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Gift Wrapped
1980: Extel Handicap – Karamita
1980: Extel Handicap – Karamita
1980: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Betsy Red
1980: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Betsy Red
1981: Lingfield Derby Trial – Riberetto
1981: Lingfield Derby Trial – Riberetto
1983: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Never So Bold
1983: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Never So Bold
1984: Coronation Stakes – Katies
1984: Coronation Stakes – Katies
1984: Molecomb Stakes – Absent Chimes
1984: Molecomb Stakes – Absent Chimes
1985: Duke of York Stakes – Chapel Cottage
1985: Duke of York Stakes – Chapel Cottage
1986: Earl of Sefton Stakes – Supreme Leader
1986: Earl of Sefton Stakes – Supreme Leader
1986: Westbury Stakes – Supreme Leader
1986: Westbury Stakes – Supreme Leader
1993: Lingfield Derby Trial – Bob’s Return
1993: Lingfield Derby Trial – Bob’s Return
1995: Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy – Blue Iris
1995: Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy – Blue Iris
2000: Henry II Stakes – Persian Punch
2000: Henry II Stakes – Persian Punch
2000: Coronation Stakes – Crimplene
2000: Coronation Stakes – Crimplene
2001: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Life Is Life
2001: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Life Is Life
2003: Coronation Cup – Warrsan
2003: Coronation Cup – Warrsan
2003: Champion Stakes – Rakti
2003: Champion Stakes – Rakti
2004: Lincoln Handicap – Babodana
2004: Lincoln Handicap – Babodana
2004: Chester Cup – Anak Pekan
2004: Chester Cup – Anak Pekan
2004: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – Rakti
2004: Prince of Wales’s Stakes – Rakti
2004: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Rakti
2004: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Rakti
2005: Chester Cup – Anak Pekan
2005: Chester Cup – Anak Pekan
2005: Lockinge Stakes – Rakti
2005: Lockinge Stakes – Rakti
2005: Royal Hunt Cup – New Seeker
2005: Royal Hunt Cup – New Seeker
2005: Wokingham Stakes – Ifraaj
2005: Wokingham Stakes – Ifraaj
2006: Chesham Stakes – Champlain
2006: Chesham Stakes – Champlain
2007: Ribblesdale Stakes – Silkwood
2007: Ribblesdale Stakes – Silkwood
2007: Bunbury Cup – Giganticus
2007: Bunbury Cup – Giganticus
2007: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Kostar
2007: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Kostar
2009: Old Newton Cup – Red Merlin
2009: Old Newton Cup – Red Merlin
In Ireland:
In Ireland:
1984: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Katies
1984: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Katies
2000: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Crimplene
2000: Irish One Thousand Guineas – Crimplene
In France:
In France:
2000: Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) – Holding Court
2000: Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) – Holding Court