Bob Woolley
1939 - 1989
1939 - 1989
Robert George Woolley was known as the iron man of the West Midlands point-to-point circuit in the 1960s and 70s. He was also a successful amateur rider under National Hunt rules.
Robert George Woolley was known as the iron man of the West Midlands point-to-point circuit in the 1960s and 70s. He was also a successful amateur rider under National Hunt rules.
Born on April 28, 1939, he never had a riding lesson in his life, and when he had his first ride in 1960 he was working as a coal-miner. He got the ride after being observed by the North Warwickshire owner Raymond Johnson running after loose horses at point-to-points, jumping on them and returning them to the paddock. It was a winning first ride too, on Mr Johnson’s horse Mascot III in a division of the open race at the Albrighton point-to-point.
Born on April 28, 1939, he never had a riding lesson in his life, and when he had his first ride in 1960 he was working as a coal-miner. He got the ride after being observed by the North Warwickshire owner Raymond Johnson running after loose horses at point-to-points, jumping on them and returning them to the paddock. It was a winning first ride too, on Mr Johnson’s horse Mascot III in a division of the open race at the Albrighton point-to-point.
Three weeks later, riding the same horse, he won the four-mile open for the Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup at the Heythrop. He went on to become one of the most popular and sought after point-to-point riders in the West Midlands.
Three weeks later, riding the same horse, he won the four-mile open for the Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup at the Heythrop. He went on to become one of the most popular and sought after point-to-point riders in the West Midlands.
His first winner under National Hunt rules was on 20/1 shot Devon Slide, right & below, in division one of the Knowle Maiden Hurdle at Birmingham on January 15, 1962, one of five winners from 46 mounts that season.
His first winner under National Hunt rules was on 20/1 shot Devon Slide, right & below, in division one of the Knowle Maiden Hurdle at Birmingham on January 15, 1962, one of five winners from 46 mounts that season.
His main priority, though, lay in point-to-points and he did not ride more than two winners in a season under rules until the 1975/76 campaign when he equalled his best score of five, from 59 rides.
His main priority, though, lay in point-to-points and he did not ride more than two winners in a season under rules until the 1975/76 campaign when he equalled his best score of five, from 59 rides.
Bob’s riding career came to a shocking end, being seriously injured when Angus Ovada fell at the Berkeley point-to-point on May 4, 1985. The fall left him paralysed from the neck down.
Bob’s riding career came to a shocking end, being seriously injured when Angus Ovada fell at the Berkeley point-to-point on May 4, 1985. The fall left him paralysed from the neck down.
At the time of his accident he had ridden 99 point-to-point winners and around 30 under NH rules.
At the time of his accident he had ridden 99 point-to-point winners and around 30 under NH rules.
After his fall, he lived the rest of his life on a respirator, with a tube through his windpipe. However, he never lost his independent spirit, discharging himself from hospital to live in a mobile home. This home was later replaced by a bungalow built by his friends and admirers. However, he had to return to hospital when complications set in, and he died there at Selly Oak Hospital in October 1989, aged 50, having been transferred from another hospital just 48 hours earlier.
After his fall, he lived the rest of his life on a respirator, with a tube through his windpipe. However, he never lost his independent spirit, discharging himself from hospital to live in a mobile home. This home was later replaced by a bungalow built by his friends and admirers. However, he had to return to hospital when complications set in, and he died there at Selly Oak Hospital in October 1989, aged 50, having been transferred from another hospital just 48 hours earlier.