Bobby Vivian
Captain Bobby Vivian
Captain Bobby Vivian
1898 -1984
1898 -1984
Amateur rider Robert Crespigny Gwynedd Vivian was born on April 26, 1898, the son of The Honourable Claud Hamilton Vivian. Educated at Eton, he rode 32 winners under National Hunt rules between 1921 and 1932 including the 1931 United Hunts’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting.
Amateur rider Robert Crespigny Gwynedd Vivian was born on April 26, 1898, the son of The Honourable Claud Hamilton Vivian. Educated at Eton, he rode 32 winners under National Hunt rules between 1921 and 1932 including the 1931 United Hunts’ Challenge Cup at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting.
He rode for the first time under NH rules at the annual Beaufort Hunt fixture on April 20, 1920, falling on Vindicator in the Ladies’ Chase. He rode his first winner on Clandeboye in the Licensed Victuallers’ Open Hunters’ Handicap Chase at Newport on May 17, 1921.
He rode for the first time under NH rules at the annual Beaufort Hunt fixture on April 20, 1920, falling on Vindicator in the Ladies’ Chase. He rode his first winner on Clandeboye in the Licensed Victuallers’ Open Hunters’ Handicap Chase at Newport on May 17, 1921.
Having joined the Life Guards, he had attained the rank of Captain by January 1922, a title under which he rode for the remainder of his career. He rode six winners under NH rules in 1922.
Having joined the Life Guards, he had attained the rank of Captain by January 1922, a title under which he rode for the remainder of his career. He rode six winners under NH rules in 1922.
On December 8, 1925 he married Violet Clinton Holme. They would go on to have two daughters and a son.
On December 8, 1925 he married Violet Clinton Holme. They would go on to have two daughters and a son.
Bobby notched a double at Beaufort Hunt on April 3, 1930, winning the Selling Handicap Chase on 14-year-old Rare Sort and the Ladies’ Chase on Tolly.
Bobby notched a double at Beaufort Hunt on April 3, 1930, winning the Selling Handicap Chase on 14-year-old Rare Sort and the Ladies’ Chase on Tolly.
He equalled his best score of six in the 1930/31 season, thanks largely to his hunter chaser Setting Sun, on whom he won four times. Having won the Ladies’ Chase at Beaufort Hunt on April 11, they then won the United Hunts’ Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham four days later – the 1931 National Hunt Meeting had been abandoned in March due to frost, with several of its races carried over to the April fixture. The following month, Bobby rode Setting Syn to win the Foxhunters’ Chase at Newton Abbot. He then rode Setting Sun to win the Viscount Tredegar’s Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase at Newport on May 25, completing a double initiated by Rare Sort in the Pontypool Selling Handicap Chase earlier on the card.
He equalled his best score of six in the 1930/31 season, thanks largely to his hunter chaser Setting Sun, on whom he won four times. Having won the Ladies’ Chase at Beaufort Hunt on April 11, they then won the United Hunts’ Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham four days later – the 1931 National Hunt Meeting had been abandoned in March due to frost, with several of its races carried over to the April fixture. The following month, Bobby rode Setting Syn to win the Foxhunters’ Chase at Newton Abbot. He then rode Setting Sun to win the Viscount Tredegar’s Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase at Newport on May 25, completing a double initiated by Rare Sort in the Pontypool Selling Handicap Chase earlier on the card.
His last winner was Wroxham Bridge in the Stanmer Selling Chase at Plumpton on March 7, 1932. He rode for the final time when finishing unplaced on Prince Grosvenor in the Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 16, 1932.
His last winner was Wroxham Bridge in the Stanmer Selling Chase at Plumpton on March 7, 1932. He rode for the final time when finishing unplaced on Prince Grosvenor in the Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 16, 1932.
Captain Bobby Vivian died on May 4, 1984, aged 86.
Captain Bobby Vivian died on May 4, 1984, aged 86.
His first victory: Newport May 17 1921
His first victory: Newport May 17 1921