Jon Trice-Rolph
Military rider Jon Trice-Rolph rode in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup 20 times between 1984 and 2004, winning it three years in a row and being placed six times.
Military rider Jon Trice-Rolph rode in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup 20 times between 1984 and 2004, winning it three years in a row and being placed six times.
He is best known for his association with that remarkable veteran De Pluvinel, who ran in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup eight times in nine years, winning three and finishing second three times and third once. Jon was on board for the last four of those efforts, which included winning in successive years when De Pluvinel was 16 and 17 years old.
He is best known for his association with that remarkable veteran De Pluvinel, who ran in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup eight times in nine years, winning three and finishing second three times and third once. Jon was on board for the last four of those efforts, which included winning in successive years when De Pluvinel was 16 and 17 years old.
Jon had made his debut under National Hunt rules when, as Bombardier Trice-Rolph, he pulled up his mount Mayfield Monaveen in the 1983 Grand Military Gold Cup. That was the only occasion he rode in the Grand Military, whereas he was to become an ‘ever present’ in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
Jon had made his debut under National Hunt rules when, as Bombardier Trice-Rolph, he pulled up his mount Mayfield Monaveen in the 1983 Grand Military Gold Cup. That was the only occasion he rode in the Grand Military, whereas he was to become an ‘ever present’ in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
He first rode in that race in 1984 when finishing last of five finishers on Swinging Light. He was again unplaced on his second attempt on Redenham in 1986.
He first rode in that race in 1984 when finishing last of five finishers on Swinging Light. He was again unplaced on his second attempt on Redenham in 1986.
Du Pluvinel had by then run four times in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup, ridden each time by Captain Guy Prest, finishing second to former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Ten Up in 1982, winning in 1983, then finishing second again (to Quarrier) in 1984, before his only unplaced effort when fifth in 1985.
Du Pluvinel had by then run four times in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup, ridden each time by Captain Guy Prest, finishing second to former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Ten Up in 1982, winning in 1983, then finishing second again (to Quarrier) in 1984, before his only unplaced effort when fifth in 1985.
After a one-year break, De Pluvinel reappeared in the 1987 renewal, this time owned and trained by Captain Prest and partnered by Jon Trice-Rolph. They finished second, beaten a length and a half by Quarrier and Tim Thomson Jones, who were winning the race for the third time in four years.
After a one-year break, De Pluvinel reappeared in the 1987 renewal, this time owned and trained by Captain Prest and partnered by Jon Trice-Rolph. They finished second, beaten a length and a half by Quarrier and Tim Thomson Jones, who were winning the race for the third time in four years.
Jon rode De Pluvinel, by now 15 years old, in the 1988 Royal Artillery Gold Cup, finishing third. Then came their two great triumphs, firstly when winning by 30 lengths in 1989 to give Jon his first win in the race.
Jon rode De Pluvinel, by now 15 years old, in the 1988 Royal Artillery Gold Cup, finishing third. Then came their two great triumphs, firstly when winning by 30 lengths in 1989 to give Jon his first win in the race.
Jon and 17-year-old De Pluvinel warmed up for the 1990 Royal Artillery Gold Cup by finishing second, beaten a neck, in the Duke of Gloucester Memorial Hunters’ Chase at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting. Returning to Sandown 18 days later, they repeated their triumph of 12 months earlier, recording a famous victory by beating Gerald Oxley’s mount Roscoe Harvey by two lengths. It was the old horse’s third win in the race.
Jon and 17-year-old De Pluvinel warmed up for the 1990 Royal Artillery Gold Cup by finishing second, beaten a neck, in the Duke of Gloucester Memorial Hunters’ Chase at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting. Returning to Sandown 18 days later, they repeated their triumph of 12 months earlier, recording a famous victory by beating Gerald Oxley’s mount Roscoe Harvey by two lengths. It was the old horse’s third win in the race.
In 1990, with Pluvinel by then retired, John registered his own third Royal Artillery Gold Cup victory aboard the previous year’s runner-up Roscoe Harvey, named after the famous soldier-rider and trained by Charlie Brooks.
In 1990, with Pluvinel by then retired, John registered his own third Royal Artillery Gold Cup victory aboard the previous year’s runner-up Roscoe Harvey, named after the famous soldier-rider and trained by Charlie Brooks.
Though he rode in every edition of the Royal Artillery Gold Cup for the next 13 years, he never again managed to win it, coming closest when second on Wild Illusion in 1995 and True Steel in 1986.
Though he rode in every edition of the Royal Artillery Gold Cup for the next 13 years, he never again managed to win it, coming closest when second on Wild Illusion in 1995 and True Steel in 1986.
He did, though, enjoy a measure of success in Sandown’s other military races, winning both the Duke of Gloucester Hunters’ Chase on Wild Illusion and the Past and Present Hurdle on Jurz in 1995; the Past and Present Hunters’ Chase on Archie's Oats in 1997; and the Ubique Hunters’ Chase on True Steel in 1998.
He did, though, enjoy a measure of success in Sandown’s other military races, winning both the Duke of Gloucester Hunters’ Chase on Wild Illusion and the Past and Present Hurdle on Jurz in 1995; the Past and Present Hunters’ Chase on Archie's Oats in 1997; and the Ubique Hunters’ Chase on True Steel in 1998.
Jon finished a distant third on Kelly’s Conquest in the 2001 Royal Artillery Gold Cup. He rode in the race for the final time in 2004 when pulling up his mount The Eens, thus ending a 20-year association with that historic contest which dates back to 1863.
Jon finished a distant third on Kelly’s Conquest in the 2001 Royal Artillery Gold Cup. He rode in the race for the final time in 2004 when pulling up his mount The Eens, thus ending a 20-year association with that historic contest which dates back to 1863.