Bob Weaver
The son of former jumps jockey Jim Weaver, Robert Ian Weaver was born in Swindon on April 22, 1952 and rode his first flat race winner, Sixfiveseven, at Warwick in 1973.
The son of former jumps jockey Jim Weaver, Robert Ian Weaver was born in Swindon on April 22, 1952 and rode his first flat race winner, Sixfiveseven, at Warwick in 1973.
He served an eight-year apprenticeship with S.S. James and Monty Stevens, finishing in 1974.
He served an eight-year apprenticeship with S.S. James and Monty Stevens, finishing in 1974.
In 1984, he applied for a National Hunt licence and made a perfect start when riding Leodegrance, owned by his girlfriend, Kitty Bernard, to victory.
In 1984, he applied for a National Hunt licence and made a perfect start when riding Leodegrance, owned by his girlfriend, Kitty Bernard, to victory.
Bob rode winners in Cyprus, Kenya and Norway.
Bob rode winners in Cyprus, Kenya and Norway.
He was in contention for the apprentice title in 1974 when he broke his leg and was off for two and a half months. He still rode 18 winners to finish third behind Alan Bond, and always maintained that he would have won it but for the accident.
He was in contention for the apprentice title in 1974 when he broke his leg and was off for two and a half months. He still rode 18 winners to finish third behind Alan Bond, and always maintained that he would have won it but for the accident.
He had a spell riding for Toby Balding and became associated with the good hurdler Decent Fellow. He also found himself on board the 250/1 chance Fitzwarren in Golden Fleece's Derby in 1982.
He had a spell riding for Toby Balding and became associated with the good hurdler Decent Fellow. He also found himself on board the 250/1 chance Fitzwarren in Golden Fleece's Derby in 1982.
He recalled later: "It was the most exciting moment of my career to ride at Epsom even although we had no chance of beating Golden Fleece.
He recalled later: "It was the most exciting moment of my career to ride at Epsom even although we had no chance of beating Golden Fleece.
"There were a few of us on outsiders that year, so we chucked a fiver in the pot for whoever finished nearest the winner and I `won' a few quid for coming in tenth!
"There were a few of us on outsiders that year, so we chucked a fiver in the pot for whoever finished nearest the winner and I `won' a few quid for coming in tenth!
"I probably rode around 300 winners in all, mainly in little races and I also won some decent ones at Epsom, Haydock and Newbury.
"I probably rode around 300 winners in all, mainly in little races and I also won some decent ones at Epsom, Haydock and Newbury.
"Other good horses I rode were Escovitch, Birwood, Via Delta and La Rosaee, who was second to the subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Enstone Spark in the Lowther Stakes at York."
"Other good horses I rode were Escovitch, Birwood, Via Delta and La Rosaee, who was second to the subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Enstone Spark in the Lowther Stakes at York."
After he finished riding he rode out for David Loder, then worked as a machinist in a factory.
After he finished riding he rode out for David Loder, then worked as a machinist in a factory.
Then with the aid of JETS, the group that helps re-employ jockeys, he qualified to be an equine dentist, based in Herefordshire.
Then with the aid of JETS, the group that helps re-employ jockeys, he qualified to be an equine dentist, based in Herefordshire.
He married Jackie, from Fife.
He married Jackie, from Fife.
In July 2002, Bob won the 2002 Griffins Richard Davis Award, an annual career development prize worth £2,000.
In July 2002, Bob won the 2002 Griffins Richard Davis Award, an annual career development prize worth £2,000.
