Steeplechase jockey Robert Sly Jr. was born in the Gloucestershire village of Chedworth in 1815. He was unrelated to the Flat jockey of the same name (1808-1888) who was active at the same time, even though they were both born in Gloucestershire. In order to differentiate himself and avoid confusion, Robert Sly the jump jockey added the suffix ‘Junior’ to his name.
Robert Sly Junior was based for much of his career at the noted training establishment of Richards Castle, a village bordering the counties of Herefordshire and Shropshire.
He rode in six Grand Nationals between 1851 and 1861, completing the course in three of them and twice finishing in the frame. He came closest when second on Minerva in 1856, beaten half a length by Freetrader, who gave his jockey George Stevens the first of a record five Grand National victories.
He had previously finished fourth on Half-and-Half (formerly named Small-Beer) on his first Grand National ride in 1851 and had completed the course last of seven finishers on Garland in 1855. Of his other three mounts, Peter failed to finish in 1854 as did First of May in 1857. On his final Grand National ride in 1861 he was reported to have been hurt when his mount The Irish Emigrant fell.
Robert Sly Junior subsequently turned his attentions to training, sending out horses for The Earl of Jersey, Mr Jenkins and many other noblemen.
On Tuesday 18 August, Robert was in Oxford to attend the upcoming race meeting at which he intended to run two horses, Stella and Kate Crumpletail.
At six that morning at a local livery yard, he suffered a fit, falling heavily. The yard was covered with gravel and stone.
He suffered a massive fracture of the skull and began bleeding from both ears. Some twenty minutes later he was spotted on the ground by George Crickmere, who worked at the livery. Robert was still breathing as Crickmere lifted him to a sitting posture. Crickmere and Edward Davis - another livery employee - took the stricken trainer to the King’s Arms Hotel and Doctor Hitchings was sent for. Hitchings did not realise that Robert’s skull was broken, stating that after such a fit he should recover in about thirty minutes.
Later that morning, Robert was found lying on the hotel floor and was immediately taken to Oxford Infirmary. Robert became violent on the journey there, repeatedly screaming ‘Let me go.’ He died the following evening.
His son-in-law confirmed that Robert suffered from fits.
He was the father of steeplechase jockey John Sly, who died following a fall at Four Oaks Park in February 1887.
Robert was buried at Richard’s Castle on Sunday 23 August, the sad ceremony being witnessed by his many friends.