Robert Wyatt
1850 - 1889
1850 - 1889
Robert’s father, Charles – a gardener – and his mother, Ann, took in laundry to supplement the family income.
Robert’s father, Charles – a gardener – and his mother, Ann, took in laundry to supplement the family income.
In the early 1870s, Robert was doing well as both trainer and jockey, winning on the likes of Pâté, Free Trade and Oxonian. Just before his marriage, he was able to buy Eclipse Cottage - a property comprising a house and stables at Clay Hill, Epsom for £750.
In the early 1870s, Robert was doing well as both trainer and jockey, winning on the likes of Pâté, Free Trade and Oxonian. Just before his marriage, he was able to buy Eclipse Cottage - a property comprising a house and stables at Clay Hill, Epsom for £750.
Robert, born at East Molesey, Surrey, on December 31, 1850, married 16-year-old Jane Blake from Yapton, a small village some four miles from Bognor Regis. The ceremony took place at St Clement Dane’s on 17 December, 1872.
Robert, born at East Molesey, Surrey, on December 31, 1850, married 16-year-old Jane Blake from Yapton, a small village some four miles from Bognor Regis. The ceremony took place at St Clement Dane’s on 17 December, 1872.
As his success continued, Robert, in 1874, brought 24, The Parade, Epsom from the estate of Timothy Barnard. The house was next door to the mother of the late jockey Henry Custance, whose brother, Charles, would later marry Jane’s sister, Alice. Robert mortgaged Eclipse Cottage in 1877, releasing £500.
As his success continued, Robert, in 1874, brought 24, The Parade, Epsom from the estate of Timothy Barnard. The house was next door to the mother of the late jockey Henry Custance, whose brother, Charles, would later marry Jane’s sister, Alice. Robert mortgaged Eclipse Cottage in 1877, releasing £500.
All seemed to be going well, but 'Bobby' Wyatt, as he was known on the racecourse, inexplicably landed himself in serious trouble. Riding Nougat for a Mr Jacob Bayliss at Windsor in a two-horse race, he 'pulled' his mount to allow his sole rival, Carlos, a bloodless victory. His deception had not gone unnoticed - the stewards, headed by Sir George Chetwynd, immediately ordered the race to be re-run over the same distance carrying the same weights but with different jockeys. Nougat won very easily. Robert received a two-year suspension. This was a very hard blow to him as at the time he owned a large number of horses trained by John Nightingall at Epsom which he mostly rode himself.
All seemed to be going well, but 'Bobby' Wyatt, as he was known on the racecourse, inexplicably landed himself in serious trouble. Riding Nougat for a Mr Jacob Bayliss at Windsor in a two-horse race, he 'pulled' his mount to allow his sole rival, Carlos, a bloodless victory. His deception had not gone unnoticed - the stewards, headed by Sir George Chetwynd, immediately ordered the race to be re-run over the same distance carrying the same weights but with different jockeys. Nougat won very easily. Robert received a two-year suspension. This was a very hard blow to him as at the time he owned a large number of horses trained by John Nightingall at Epsom which he mostly rode himself.
The financial repercussions were devastating. Within three years he had sold Eclipse Cottage to local butcher William Bradnam.
The financial repercussions were devastating. Within three years he had sold Eclipse Cottage to local butcher William Bradnam.
Such a long sentence and its crippling consequences would have straightened out the majority of jockeys, but, on his return to the turf, he became the central figure in what became known as the Brilliancy case of 1883. Ridden by Robert, Brilliancy ran in a mile race at Sandown. She was mildly fancied at 9/2, but finished down the course. The next day she ran again. Her form the day suggested that she had no chance of success yet punters elbowed the other in order to get on. In the end, bookmakers refused to take any more bets on Robert's mount.
Such a long sentence and its crippling consequences would have straightened out the majority of jockeys, but, on his return to the turf, he became the central figure in what became known as the Brilliancy case of 1883. Ridden by Robert, Brilliancy ran in a mile race at Sandown. She was mildly fancied at 9/2, but finished down the course. The next day she ran again. Her form the day suggested that she had no chance of success yet punters elbowed the other in order to get on. In the end, bookmakers refused to take any more bets on Robert's mount.
Brilliancy won in a canter. After a short enquiry, the owner and Robert were 'warned off' for good. Brilliancy was disqualified from not only the Sandown race but from all the races she had previously won and her owner ordered to pay back all the winnings of the races in question.
Brilliancy won in a canter. After a short enquiry, the owner and Robert were 'warned off' for good. Brilliancy was disqualified from not only the Sandown race but from all the races she had previously won and her owner ordered to pay back all the winnings of the races in question.
Robert Wyatt was an easily-led character, one very susceptible to outside influences. Eventually the whole situation got the better of him and his mind became unhinged.
Robert Wyatt was an easily-led character, one very susceptible to outside influences. Eventually the whole situation got the better of him and his mind became unhinged.
In 1881, Robert gave evidence at the Old Bailey against a fraudster who had sold racing tips which, he falsely claimed, had come direct from Robert.
In 1881, Robert gave evidence at the Old Bailey against a fraudster who had sold racing tips which, he falsely claimed, had come direct from Robert.
Robert and Jane had no children.
Robert and Jane had no children.
The couple continued to live at The Parade until 1889 when Robert was struck by a progressive paralysis. He died on Sunday, November 17th, and was buried at Epsom Cemetery290. 12s. in Plot A27A on November 21st.
The couple continued to live at The Parade until 1889 when Robert was struck by a progressive paralysis. He died on Sunday, November 17th, and was buried at Epsom Cemetery290. 12s. in Plot A27A on November 21st.
Robert left effects of £290 12s.
Robert left effects of £290 12s.
24, The Parade, Epsom, still stands and is worth £338,000 at current (2013) prices.
24, The Parade, Epsom, still stands and is worth £338,000 at current (2013) prices.
One year, Robert had an interest in a horse called Lord Lincoln. He had targeted a race at Croydon for him and, in an effort to mislead the touts, came up with the following scheme.
One year, Robert had an interest in a horse called Lord Lincoln. He had targeted a race at Croydon for him and, in an effort to mislead the touts, came up with the following scheme.
He asked his local butcher to have a sheep killed at a certain time. This the butcher did and Robert, who had turned up with a bladder, filled it with the animal's blood. He then rode back to the Downs where Lord Lincoln and other horses were waiting for a trial. Robert rode Lord Lincoln himself and, pulling up, undid the bladder and let the blood run over the horse's face and nostrils. Knowing where one of the touts was stationed, he took the horse as close to him as he could dare. The tout naturally thought the horse had broken a blood vessel and immediately wired to his cohorts to that effect. Lord Lincoln, ridden by Robert l’Anson, won his race in a canter.
He asked his local butcher to have a sheep killed at a certain time. This the butcher did and Robert, who had turned up with a bladder, filled it with the animal's blood. He then rode back to the Downs where Lord Lincoln and other horses were waiting for a trial. Robert rode Lord Lincoln himself and, pulling up, undid the bladder and let the blood run over the horse's face and nostrils. Knowing where one of the touts was stationed, he took the horse as close to him as he could dare. The tout naturally thought the horse had broken a blood vessel and immediately wired to his cohorts to that effect. Lord Lincoln, ridden by Robert l’Anson, won his race in a canter.