Robert Weech
1899-1922
1899-1922
Born in October 1899, Robert Charles Weech was once a promising apprentice, but whatever promise he may have shown was negated by his early death.
Born in October 1899, Robert Charles Weech was once a promising apprentice, but whatever promise he may have shown was negated by his early death.
He had the good fortune to be apprenticed to Stanley Wootton, who was then at the start of his training career, and described by the Biographical Encyclopaedia of British Flat Racing as a “brilliant coach of apprentices”.
He had the good fortune to be apprenticed to Stanley Wootton, who was then at the start of his training career, and described by the Biographical Encyclopaedia of British Flat Racing as a “brilliant coach of apprentices”.
Robert’s first ride was on Whroo, who finished unplaced in the Eridge Selling Handicap at Windsor on May 12, 1916. More than a year later, again at Windsor on August 11, 1917, he achieved his first success when Parvis, trained by Ralph Moreton, won the Park Selling Handicap.
Robert’s first ride was on Whroo, who finished unplaced in the Eridge Selling Handicap at Windsor on May 12, 1916. More than a year later, again at Windsor on August 11, 1917, he achieved his first success when Parvis, trained by Ralph Moreton, won the Park Selling Handicap.
There was one further winner that year when he rode Pick’ny to a head victory in the Silverley Three-Year-Old Handicap at Newmarket on September 17, surviving an objection by the second for ‘boring’. However, his season ended on a sour note for, on October 11 at Newmarket, after finishing second on The Gunyah in the Thetford Selling Handicap, he was suspended for the rest of the season as the stewards were not satisfied with his explanation of the ride he had given the horse.
There was one further winner that year when he rode Pick’ny to a head victory in the Silverley Three-Year-Old Handicap at Newmarket on September 17, surviving an objection by the second for ‘boring’. However, his season ended on a sour note for, on October 11 at Newmarket, after finishing second on The Gunyah in the Thetford Selling Handicap, he was suspended for the rest of the season as the stewards were not satisfied with his explanation of the ride he had given the horse.
Whether this affected what happened next is not known, but one thing is certain. Robert Weech was not seen on an English racecourse for three years after that, but returning in 1921 as a fully licensed jockey he soon got off the mark when Clondir, trained by John Nightingall, won the Priory Selling Plate at Alexandra Park on April 2. However, that was nearly that. A walkover on Desmond Rays in the Moseley Three-Year-Old Maiden Stakes at Hurst Park on July 22 was Robert’s fourth and final win in a British Flat race.
Whether this affected what happened next is not known, but one thing is certain. Robert Weech was not seen on an English racecourse for three years after that, but returning in 1921 as a fully licensed jockey he soon got off the mark when Clondir, trained by John Nightingall, won the Priory Selling Plate at Alexandra Park on April 2. However, that was nearly that. A walkover on Desmond Rays in the Moseley Three-Year-Old Maiden Stakes at Hurst Park on July 22 was Robert’s fourth and final win in a British Flat race.
His final ride on the Flat was also at Hurst Park, aboard a horse with the unpromising name of Toilet, who finished unplaced in the Petersham Three-Year-Old Selling Welter Handicap on November 19, 1921.
His final ride on the Flat was also at Hurst Park, aboard a horse with the unpromising name of Toilet, who finished unplaced in the Petersham Three-Year-Old Selling Welter Handicap on November 19, 1921.
He received his licence to ride under National Hunt rules in 1922. On February 4 that year, riding the 10-year-old Sybarite, he won the Village Selling Hurdle at Sandown.
He received his licence to ride under National Hunt rules in 1922. On February 4 that year, riding the 10-year-old Sybarite, he won the Village Selling Hurdle at Sandown.
Later that month, on Friday, February 17, he was riding Saville Row in a hurdle race at Lingfield. The horse came down, injuring Robert’s left leg. He refused to go to hospital, preferring to return to his home at 14, Sisters Avenue, Lavender-Hill, Clapham Junction.
Later that month, on Friday, February 17, he was riding Saville Row in a hurdle race at Lingfield. The horse came down, injuring Robert’s left leg. He refused to go to hospital, preferring to return to his home at 14, Sisters Avenue, Lavender-Hill, Clapham Junction.
On Saturday at midday, he took a hot bath. Shortly afterwards, he was found dead in the bath, covered with water. He had been poisoned by the fumes from the geyser that heated the water. He was removed, and artificial means were employed to restore him, but without effect. He was 23 years old.
On Saturday at midday, he took a hot bath. Shortly afterwards, he was found dead in the bath, covered with water. He had been poisoned by the fumes from the geyser that heated the water. He was removed, and artificial means were employed to restore him, but without effect. He was 23 years old.
Robert Weech was buried at noon on Thursday, 23 February, at Putney Vale Cemetery. He left £120.
Robert Weech was buried at noon on Thursday, 23 February, at Putney Vale Cemetery. He left £120.
Information on Robert Weech’s Flat racing career provided by Alan Trout.
Information on Robert Weech’s Flat racing career provided by Alan Trout.
Robert's first win. 11th August 1913.
Robert's first win. 11th August 1913.