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Robert Skelly
Robert Skelly
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Robert Skelly was a stalwart of the Scottish racing scene for many years, winning five races on the Flat in the 1890s, then returning to add another in 1903. He also rode over jumps for three years, achieving one further success. All his seven wins were gained at Scottish courses.
Robert Skelly was a stalwart of the Scottish racing scene for many years, winning five races on the Flat in the 1890s, then returning to add another in 1903. He also rode over jumps for three years, achieving one further success. All his seven wins were gained at Scottish courses.
His first was at Hamilton Park on May 21, 1896, when the three-year-old Ochiltree II beat Fred W. Lane’s mount Red Friar by the three lengths to land the Clyde Selling Plate. The pair ran again the next day at the course and finished second.
His first was at Hamilton Park on May 21, 1896, when the three-year-old Ochiltree II beat Fred W. Lane’s mount Red Friar by the three lengths to land the Clyde Selling Plate. The pair ran again the next day at the course and finished second.
Robert had two more wins that year, both at Ayr’s September meeting and, strangely, both on another three-year-old called Ochiltree. Despite the similarity in name, they were two different horses, Ochiltree being a brown colt by Beauclerc, Ochiltree II a chestnut filly by Sycophant.
Robert had two more wins that year, both at Ayr’s September meeting and, strangely, both on another three-year-old called Ochiltree. Despite the similarity in name, they were two different horses, Ochiltree being a brown colt by Beauclerc, Ochiltree II a chestnut filly by Sycophant.
He rode just one winner in each of the next two years. There was then a five year gap before his final success on the Flat when Club Queen won the Bogside Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at that venue on August 5, 1903, having two lengths to spare over George McCall’s mount Poverty at the line. Club Queen ran again and won at the course the following day but this time McCall was in the saddle.
He rode just one winner in each of the next two years. There was then a five year gap before his final success on the Flat when Club Queen won the Bogside Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at that venue on August 5, 1903, having two lengths to spare over George McCall’s mount Poverty at the line. Club Queen ran again and won at the course the following day but this time McCall was in the saddle.
Robert now turned his attention to the National Hunt scene, finishing second on his first ride, on Trusty in the Palace Handicap Hurdle at Hamilton Park on September 28, 1903, albeit beaten 30 lengths by the ill-fated Mick Williams on Rhombold.
Robert now turned his attention to the National Hunt scene, finishing second on his first ride, on Trusty in the Palace Handicap Hurdle at Hamilton Park on September 28, 1903, albeit beaten 30 lengths by the ill-fated Mick Williams on Rhombold.
On the first day of the 1905 jumps year, January 2, Robert rode his only winner over hurdles when steering Countess Feo to victory by three-quarters of a length in the Montrose Hurdle at Hamilton Park.
On the first day of the 1905 jumps year, January 2, Robert rode his only winner over hurdles when steering Countess Feo to victory by three-quarters of a length in the Montrose Hurdle at Hamilton Park.
He did not retain the ride and had his final mount when beaten 25 lengths on Calder Glen in a match for another race called the Montrose Hurdle, again at Hamilton Park, on April 24, 1905.
He did not retain the ride and had his final mount when beaten 25 lengths on Calder Glen in a match for another race called the Montrose Hurdle, again at Hamilton Park, on April 24, 1905.
Robert Skelly’s winners were, in chronological order:
Robert Skelly’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Ochiltree II, Hamilton Park, May 21, 1896
1. Ochiltree II, Hamilton Park, May 21, 1896
2. Ochiltree, Ayr, September 16, 1896
2. Ochiltree, Ayr, September 16, 1896
3. Ochiltree, Ayr, September 18, 1896
3. Ochiltree, Ayr, September 18, 1896
4. Dysart, Hamilton Park, September 3, 1897
4. Dysart, Hamilton Park, September 3, 1897
5. Oom Paul, Hamilton Park, May 19, 1898
5. Oom Paul, Hamilton Park, May 19, 1898
6. Club Queen, Bogside, August 5, 1903
6. Club Queen, Bogside, August 5, 1903
7. Countess Feo, Hamilton Park, January 2, 1905
7. Countess Feo, Hamilton Park, January 2, 1905
Robert Skelly's final winner: Countess Feo, Hamilton Park, January 2, 1905
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