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Robert Ruttle
Robert Ruttle
1905-1996
1905-1996
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Robert Ruttle, known as Bob, was born on November 18, 1905. He served his apprenticeship with Atty Persse and had his first ride when unplaced on Alpine Flight in the Spring Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate at Newbury on April 12, 1924.
Robert Ruttle, known as Bob, was born on November 18, 1905. He served his apprenticeship with Atty Persse and had his first ride when unplaced on Alpine Flight in the Spring Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate at Newbury on April 12, 1924.
He had to wait until August 22, 1928 for his first win, which came at Barh when steering The Brown Talisman, owned by the Admiral of the Fleet Sir Hedworth Meux and trained by Atty Persse, to a five-length victory in the Apprentices’ Plate.
He had to wait until August 22, 1928 for his first win, which came at Barh when steering The Brown Talisman, owned by the Admiral of the Fleet Sir Hedworth Meux and trained by Atty Persse, to a five-length victory in the Apprentices’ Plate.
His only win the following year was noteworthy in that he beat leading jockey Charlie Elliott by two lengths to land the Easter Plate at Kempton Park on the three-year-old filly Queen Scotia.
His only win the following year was noteworthy in that he beat leading jockey Charlie Elliott by two lengths to land the Easter Plate at Kempton Park on the three-year-old filly Queen Scotia.
His apprenticeship having ended, he rode as a professional on the Flat between 1930 and 1950. He also held a National Hunt jockey’s licence and had his first ride in that sphere on November 19, 1931, when Homestretch, owned by American multi-millionaire Jock Whitney, finished unplaced in the Cowley Maiden Hurdle.
His apprenticeship having ended, he rode as a professional on the Flat between 1930 and 1950. He also held a National Hunt jockey’s licence and had his first ride in that sphere on November 19, 1931, when Homestretch, owned by American multi-millionaire Jock Whitney, finished unplaced in the Cowley Maiden Hurdle.
It was another of Whitney’s horses that he had his first win over jumps when 10/1 chance Rosy Covert, trained by Jack Anthony, landed the Melton Chase at Leicester on February 1, 1932, beating Sunny Peace, the mount of Tommy Isaac, by a neck.
It was another of Whitney’s horses that he had his first win over jumps when 10/1 chance Rosy Covert, trained by Jack Anthony, landed the Melton Chase at Leicester on February 1, 1932, beating Sunny Peace, the mount of Tommy Isaac, by a neck.
His next win was much more comfortable, for he had five lengths to spare when Black Admiral, also trained by Jack Anthony, beat Cee Spring, ridden by the talented amateur Peter Payne-Gallway, in the Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford on May 2.
His next win was much more comfortable, for he had five lengths to spare when Black Admiral, also trained by Jack Anthony, beat Cee Spring, ridden by the talented amateur Peter Payne-Gallway, in the Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford on May 2.
Then it was back to the Flat for his next win, aboard 6/4 favourite Marvellous, again trained by Jack Anthony, in the Newnham Selling Handicap at Chepstow on June 1. That was to be his last British win until the 1939 Flat season. Bar for one year, 1935, he did not hold a licence until 1938, but he returned to add seven more wins on the Flat plus one over jumps.
Then it was back to the Flat for his next win, aboard 6/4 favourite Marvellous, again trained by Jack Anthony, in the Newnham Selling Handicap at Chepstow on June 1. That was to be his last British win until the 1939 Flat season. Bar for one year, 1935, he did not hold a licence until 1938, but he returned to add seven more wins on the Flat plus one over jumps.
Easily the biggest day of Bob’s career came on April 27, 1940, when winning the Victoria Cup at Hurst Park on Jock Whitney’s Time Step for trainer Jack Anthony. Taking the lead approaching the final furlong, Robert’s mount just got the better of a dour struggle with Gordon Richards on the 7/2 favourite Ombro to prevail by a short head. Bob had one three races on Time Step the previous year, including two at Hurst Park, but this was by far their most important success.
Easily the biggest day of Bob’s career came on April 27, 1940, when winning the Victoria Cup at Hurst Park on Jock Whitney’s Time Step for trainer Jack Anthony. Taking the lead approaching the final furlong, Robert’s mount just got the better of a dour struggle with Gordon Richards on the 7/2 favourite Ombro to prevail by a short head. Bob had one three races on Time Step the previous year, including two at Hurst Park, but this was by far their most important success.
He had his final victory over jumps at the first meeting of the truncated 1940/41 National Hunt season, held at Taunton on October 24, when The Hack, owned and trained by Jack Anthony, narrowly beat Ben Lay on Erracht to land the Ilminster Handicap Hurdle by a neck.
He had his final victory over jumps at the first meeting of the truncated 1940/41 National Hunt season, held at Taunton on October 24, when The Hack, owned and trained by Jack Anthony, narrowly beat Ben Lay on Erracht to land the Ilminster Handicap Hurdle by a neck.
Besides giving Bob his greatest day in the saddle on the Flat, Time Step was also his final ride over obstacles when unplaced in the Beeston Maiden Hurdle (Flat races did not count; he was still considered a maiden under National Hunt rules) at Nottingham on December 30, 1940.
Besides giving Bob his greatest day in the saddle on the Flat, Time Step was also his final ride over obstacles when unplaced in the Beeston Maiden Hurdle (Flat races did not count; he was still considered a maiden under National Hunt rules) at Nottingham on December 30, 1940.
Bob rode his last three winners, all at Salisbury, in 1942, the final one being on September 5 aboard Misty Morning, owned and trained by Dick Dawson, in the Oakley Stakes.
Bob rode his last three winners, all at Salisbury, in 1942, the final one being on September 5 aboard Misty Morning, owned and trained by Dick Dawson, in the Oakley Stakes.
He continued riding for the next eight years without winning another race, although towards the end he only had the occasional mount. He had just three unplaced rides in 1950, his last season with a licence, before hanging up his boots.
He continued riding for the next eight years without winning another race, although towards the end he only had the occasional mount. He had just three unplaced rides in 1950, his last season with a licence, before hanging up his boots.
Bob Ruttle died on December 19, 1996, aged 91.
Bob Ruttle died on December 19, 1996, aged 91.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. The Brown Talisman, Bath, August 22, 1928
1. The Brown Talisman, Bath, August 22, 1928
2. Queen Scotia, Kempton Park, April 1, 1929
2. Queen Scotia, Kempton Park, April 1, 1929
3. Rosy Covert, Leicester, February 1, 1932
3. Rosy Covert, Leicester, February 1, 1932
4. Black Admiral, Stratford-on-Avon, May 7, 1932
4. Black Admiral, Stratford-on-Avon, May 7, 1932
5. Marvellous, Chepstow, June 10, 1932
5. Marvellous, Chepstow, June 10, 1932
6. Time Step, Epsom, April 18, 1939
6. Time Step, Epsom, April 18, 1939
7. Time Step, Hurst Park, April 29, 1939
7. Time Step, Hurst Park, April 29, 1939
8. Time Step, Hurst Park, May 30, 1939
8. Time Step, Hurst Park, May 30, 1939
9. Time Step, Hurst Park, April 27, 1940
9. Time Step, Hurst Park, April 27, 1940
10. The Hack, Taunton, October 24, 1940
10. The Hack, Taunton, October 24, 1940
11. Mazarin, Salisbury, May 16, 1942
11. Mazarin, Salisbury, May 16, 1942
12. Mazarin, Salisbury, June 6, 1942
12. Mazarin, Salisbury, June 6, 1942
13. Misty Morning, Salisbury, September 5, 1942
13. Misty Morning, Salisbury, September 5, 1942
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