Chris Stobbs
1931 - 2018
1931 - 2018
Christopher Stobbs, usually known as Kit Stobbs, was born on September 5, 1931 and, served his apprenticeship with Arthur (W. A.) Stephenson, who trained Honorable Sir.
Christopher Stobbs, usually known as Kit Stobbs, was born on September 5, 1931 and, served his apprenticeship with Arthur (W. A.) Stephenson, who trained Honorable Sir.
He made his racecourse debut on Honorable Sir (unplaced) in the Warkworth Novices Hurdle (Div. 2) at Newcastle on 14th December 1957.
He made his racecourse debut on Honorable Sir (unplaced) in the Warkworth Novices Hurdle (Div. 2) at Newcastle on 14th December 1957.
A late starter as a jockey, he did not ride his first winner until he was 26, that success being achieved on Taxinthus in the Castle Eden Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield on February 28, 1959.
A late starter as a jockey, he did not ride his first winner until he was 26, that success being achieved on Taxinthus in the Castle Eden Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield on February 28, 1959.
Kit was not a prolific winner, but did boot home 15 in 1959/60. He also managed to ride a four-timer at Wetherby on Easter Monday, March 30, 1964, on Harry Black, Windydell, Mr Jones and Johnnie Walker, all trained by Arthur Stephenson. Mr Jones’ win came in the valuable (£2,424 10s) Wetherby Handicap Chase, getting the better of 5/4 favourite Kapeno (the mount of David Mould) by half a length.
Kit was not a prolific winner, but did boot home 15 in 1959/60. He also managed to ride a four-timer at Wetherby on Easter Monday, March 30, 1964, on Harry Black, Windydell, Mr Jones and Johnnie Walker, all trained by Arthur Stephenson. Mr Jones’ win came in the valuable (£2,424 10s) Wetherby Handicap Chase, getting the better of 5/4 favourite Kapeno (the mount of David Mould) by half a length.
Mr Jones had also given Kit a winning ride over the Aintree fences in the 1962 Becher Chase.
Mr Jones had also given Kit a winning ride over the Aintree fences in the 1962 Becher Chase.
His other big winners included the 1961 Scottish Grand National on Kinmont Willie and the 1968 National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Battledore.
His other big winners included the 1961 Scottish Grand National on Kinmont Willie and the 1968 National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Battledore.
However, the best horse he rode was Cocky Consort, on which he finished third in the 1962 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Earlier that season he’d ridden Cocky Consort to victory in Wetherby’s Grand National Trial and finished second on him in the Great Yorkshire Chase and in Sandown’s Stone’s Ginger Wine Handicap Chase.
However, the best horse he rode was Cocky Consort, on which he finished third in the 1962 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Earlier that season he’d ridden Cocky Consort to victory in Wetherby’s Grand National Trial and finished second on him in the Great Yorkshire Chase and in Sandown’s Stone’s Ginger Wine Handicap Chase.
Kit was also Arthur Stephenson’s head lad and lived at the yard at Crawleas Farm, Leasingthorpe, Bishop Auckland.
Kit was also Arthur Stephenson’s head lad and lived at the yard at Crawleas Farm, Leasingthorpe, Bishop Auckland.
The last good horse with which he was associated was Interview II, on which he won five novice hurdles in a row in the 1969/70 season before finishing second in the London and Northern Securities Champion Novices’ Hurdle at Ayr. Interview II was also his last ride in public when finishing eighth at Newcastle on April 15, 1970.
The last good horse with which he was associated was Interview II, on which he won five novice hurdles in a row in the 1969/70 season before finishing second in the London and Northern Securities Champion Novices’ Hurdle at Ayr. Interview II was also his last ride in public when finishing eighth at Newcastle on April 15, 1970.
He died in October 2018, aged 87.
He died in October 2018, aged 87.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1961: Scottish Grand National – Kinmount Wullie
1961: Scottish Grand National – Kinmount Wullie
1962: Becher Chase – Mr Jones
1962: Becher Chase – Mr Jones
1968: National Hunt Handicap Chase – Battledore
1968: National Hunt Handicap Chase – Battledore