Robert Street
Robert Street was born in Western-super-Mare on 3 November, 1947, and served his apprenticeship with Sir Noel Murless, beginning in 1963. His first winner was Comic Opera at Nottingham on October 24, 1966. Having served his time with Murless, he stayed for 11 years, riding many top-class horses on the gallops, including Royal Palace, Busted, Connaught and Fleet.
Robert Street was born in Western-super-Mare on 3 November, 1947, and served his apprenticeship with Sir Noel Murless, beginning in 1963. His first winner was Comic Opera at Nottingham on October 24, 1966. Having served his time with Murless, he stayed for 11 years, riding many top-class horses on the gallops, including Royal Palace, Busted, Connaught and Fleet.
In 1974 he moved to Lambourn and worked for Barry Hills, with whom he was to spend the rest of his riding career. Given that training background, it was surprising that winners were not more plentiful. He enjoyed his best season in 1977 with 25 winners.
In 1974 he moved to Lambourn and worked for Barry Hills, with whom he was to spend the rest of his riding career. Given that training background, it was surprising that winners were not more plentiful. He enjoyed his best season in 1977 with 25 winners.
Riding Barry Hills’ Rheinsparkle, he took a life-threatening fall in the 1979 Irish Oaks, in which he fractured his pelvis, broke an arm and left a blood clot on his brain. It took him nine months to get back in the saddle. Not only that, the fall occurred just when his career was on the up. He’d been offered a retainer as stable jockey to Ron Sheather and had signed a lucrative winter contract to ride in Hong Kong. By the time he fully recovered, those jobs had gone to others.
Riding Barry Hills’ Rheinsparkle, he took a life-threatening fall in the 1979 Irish Oaks, in which he fractured his pelvis, broke an arm and left a blood clot on his brain. It took him nine months to get back in the saddle. Not only that, the fall occurred just when his career was on the up. He’d been offered a retainer as stable jockey to Ron Sheather and had signed a lucrative winter contract to ride in Hong Kong. By the time he fully recovered, those jobs had gone to others.
He played an important part in the education of leading 1982 two-year-old Horage, and rode him to three of his nine victories. Among the best horses he rode on the Lambourn gallops were Royal Applause, Sir Harry Lewis, Haafd and Distant Music.
He played an important part in the education of leading 1982 two-year-old Horage, and rode him to three of his nine victories. Among the best horses he rode on the Lambourn gallops were Royal Applause, Sir Harry Lewis, Haafd and Distant Music.
Robert won on the Prix Lilysol at Ostend on Regency File in July, 1986. His other career highlights included victories on Creetown in the 1978 Diadem Stakes (below) at Ascot and on subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Tap On Wood in Newbury’s Washington Singer Stakes. Other high profile races to come his way were the Great St Wilfrid Handicap, Welsh Derby and Warwick Oaks. But there was also one that got away, for his mount was disqualified
Robert won on the Prix Lilysol at Ostend on Regency File in July, 1986. His other career highlights included victories on Creetown in the 1978 Diadem Stakes (below) at Ascot and on subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Tap On Wood in Newbury’s Washington Singer Stakes. Other high profile races to come his way were the Great St Wilfrid Handicap, Welsh Derby and Warwick Oaks. But there was also one that got away, for his mount was disqualified
for interference after passing the post first in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.
for interference after passing the post first in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He was very much an underrated and underused jockey: he rode for 36 years and rode over 100 winners. He could always do 7st 10lb and never had to struggle to make the weight.
He was very much an underrated and underused jockey: he rode for 36 years and rode over 100 winners. He could always do 7st 10lb and never had to struggle to make the weight.
In the latter part of his career, just as he was contemplating retirement, he rode a ‘spare’ called Bayin and finished third at 100-1, then won three times on the horse. Bayin’s owner, Trevor Barker, told Robert not to retire and let him ride all the three horses he had in training.
In the latter part of his career, just as he was contemplating retirement, he rode a ‘spare’ called Bayin and finished third at 100-1, then won three times on the horse. Bayin’s owner, Trevor Barker, told Robert not to retire and let him ride all the three horses he had in training.
By January 2002, Bayin had been retired and Mr Barker no longer had any horses in training, so Robert announced his own retirement, aged 53. He remained, though, a valuable member of Hills’ back-room team.
By January 2002, Bayin had been retired and Mr Barker no longer had any horses in training, so Robert announced his own retirement, aged 53. He remained, though, a valuable member of Hills’ back-room team.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1975: Chesterfield Cup - Edwards Hill
1975: Chesterfield Cup - Edwards Hill
1978: Diadem Stakes – Creetown
1978: Diadem Stakes – Creetown
1978: Washington Singer Stakes – Tap On Wood
1978: Washington Singer Stakes – Tap On Wood
1978: Donnington Castle Stakes – Tap On Wood
1978: Donnington Castle Stakes – Tap On Wood
1985: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Numismatist
1985: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Numismatist