Robert Trudgill

1887 - 1974

A journeyman jockey if ever there was one, Robert was used to taking crumbs left over by more fashionable riders.

When the 1924 Grand National came around, one after another of the top riders turned down the chance to partner Master Robert. It had become known that the 11-year-old had a diseased bone in his foot which needed continual poulticing right up to the time of the race. In desperation, connections turned to Robert Trudgill, who gladly accepted the ride.

Then, just twenty-four hours before the big race, disaster!

Robert, riding Charlie Wise in the Stanley Steeplechase, received severe injuries when the horse fell heavily. His leg was clumsily stitched together and he was strongly advised not to ride in the National.

Ignoring the advice of the course doctor, Robert weighed out to ride.

That Master Robert won was a source of wonder: Robert Trudgill, the stitches on his leg split wide open, was on the verge of collapse as he dismounted. He was helped first to the scales, then to the doctor. Master Robert was immediately retired.

Born on November 18, 1887, Robert died at Leighton Buzzard on July 15, 1974, aged 86.

Master Robert had been bred in Ireland: he was initially of such poor ability that he was put to work, harnessed to a plough. He began to behave badly and was sent hunting, revealing a latent talent. Promoted once again, he ran third in Liverpool's Foxhunter Chase in 1923. He came into his own when winning the Valentine Steeplechase after a victory at Cheltenham.