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Norbert Sawers
Norbert Sawers
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Norbert Charles Sawers presumably started his career elsewhere as he did not claim an allowance when riding occasionally in England for nearly two decades.
Norbert Charles Sawers presumably started his career elsewhere as he did not claim an allowance when riding occasionally in England for nearly two decades.
His first ride was at Sandown Park on February 4, 1928, when unplaced on Seize in the Cardinal’s Handicap Hurdle. Just five days later he had his first success when Martonia beat nine rivals to land the North Curry Handicap Hurdle at Taunton, beating Loyalty, ridden by Monty Rayson, by a neck.
His first ride was at Sandown Park on February 4, 1928, when unplaced on Seize in the Cardinal’s Handicap Hurdle. Just five days later he had his first success when Martonia beat nine rivals to land the North Curry Handicap Hurdle at Taunton, beating Loyalty, ridden by Monty Rayson, by a neck.
His second victory, at Hawthorn Hill on March 5, was rather easier. with the four-year-old Clochette finishing four lengths clear of Horace, the mount of Vic Piggott, in the Monday Selling Hurdle.
His second victory, at Hawthorn Hill on March 5, was rather easier. with the four-year-old Clochette finishing four lengths clear of Horace, the mount of Vic Piggott, in the Monday Selling Hurdle.
Eight lengths was the distance by which Norbert won his third race when Bayford took the Westenhanger Hurdle at Folkestone on April 5.
Eight lengths was the distance by which Norbert won his third race when Bayford took the Westenhanger Hurdle at Folkestone on April 5.
Despite that promising start, Norbert did not ride in England again until October 22, 1936, but it seems likely that his first ride back was a successful one when the four-year-old O’Grady, fit from the Flat, won the Norbiton Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park by four lengths.
Despite that promising start, Norbert did not ride in England again until October 22, 1936, but it seems likely that his first ride back was a successful one when the four-year-old O’Grady, fit from the Flat, won the Norbiton Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park by four lengths.
Next came his first win over fences in Britain when Kemmel, trained by former hurdle race specialist jockey George Duller, proved too good for eight rivals, winning the New Windsor Handicap Chase at that Berkshire venue on December 16 by 10 lengths.
Next came his first win over fences in Britain when Kemmel, trained by former hurdle race specialist jockey George Duller, proved too good for eight rivals, winning the New Windsor Handicap Chase at that Berkshire venue on December 16 by 10 lengths.
After a “great struggle”, as the Daily Herald put it, Norbert gained his third win of the season at Gatwick when Phileas narrowly beat Trelissick, ridden by Frank Steward, in the Duxhurst Handicap Hurdle on February 3, 1937.
After a “great struggle”, as the Daily Herald put it, Norbert gained his third win of the season at Gatwick when Phileas narrowly beat Trelissick, ridden by Frank Steward, in the Duxhurst Handicap Hurdle on February 3, 1937.
He had a few more rides until January 1938, then did not return until halfway through the 1940/41 season. His first ride in nearly four years was on Joyeux Hector, owned and trained by the infamous Cecil Ray, finishing unplaced in the Beeston Maiden Hurdle at Nottingham on December 30, but 12 days later the combination was seen to much better effect when landing the Four Years Old Hurdle at Worcester by a length and a half.
He had a few more rides until January 1938, then did not return until halfway through the 1940/41 season. His first ride in nearly four years was on Joyeux Hector, owned and trained by the infamous Cecil Ray, finishing unplaced in the Beeston Maiden Hurdle at Nottingham on December 30, but 12 days later the combination was seen to much better effect when landing the Four Years Old Hurdle at Worcester by a length and a half.
It was at Ludlow on March 22 that he scored his only other success of the season when Niersteiner beat 22 rivals to land the Stokesay Selling Hurdle by two lengths.
It was at Ludlow on March 22 that he scored his only other success of the season when Niersteiner beat 22 rivals to land the Stokesay Selling Hurdle by two lengths.
His final victory came in a field of 24 at Wetherby where Headley Boy beat Chatmo by a short-head in the Bilton Maiden Hurdle on November 29, 1941. He rode for a short time after the war, finishing with an unplaced effort on Headley Boy in the Dukeries Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on December 7, 1945.
His final victory came in a field of 24 at Wetherby where Headley Boy beat Chatmo by a short-head in the Bilton Maiden Hurdle on November 29, 1941. He rode for a short time after the war, finishing with an unplaced effort on Headley Boy in the Dukeries Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on December 7, 1945.
Norbert Sawers’ British winners were, in chronological order:
Norbert Sawers’ British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Martonia, Taunton, February 9, 1928
1. Martonia, Taunton, February 9, 1928
2. Clochette, Hawthorn Hill, March 5, 1928
2. Clochette, Hawthorn Hill, March 5, 1928
3. Bayford, Folkestone, April 5, 1928
3. Bayford, Folkestone, April 5, 1928
4. O’Grady, Sandown Park, October 22, 1936
4. O’Grady, Sandown Park, October 22, 1936
5. Kemmel, Windsor, December 16, 1936
5. Kemmel, Windsor, December 16, 1936
6. Phileas, Gatwick, February 3, 1937
6. Phileas, Gatwick, February 3, 1937
7. Joyeux Hector, Nottingham, January 11, 1941
7. Joyeux Hector, Nottingham, January 11, 1941
8. Niersteiner, Ludlow, March 22, 1941
8. Niersteiner, Ludlow, March 22, 1941
9. Headley Boy, Wetherby, November 29, 1941
9. Headley Boy, Wetherby, November 29, 1941
Norbert Sawers' first winner: Martonia, Taunton, February 9, 1928
Norbert Sawers' final winner: Headley Boy, Wetherby, November 29, 1941
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