Thomas Weedon
Thomas Alma Weedon was born in Southall, Middlesex, in October 1854. Strangely, he was never called by either of his proper Christian names, answering instead to the cognomen 'Bob'. Indeed, he eventually rode under the name of R. Weedon.
Thomas Alma Weedon was born in Southall, Middlesex, in October 1854. Strangely, he was never called by either of his proper Christian names, answering instead to the cognomen 'Bob'. Indeed, he eventually rode under the name of R. Weedon.
It was chiefly through the instrumentality of Captain Cahill, who lived locally, that Bob became a jockey. Cahill had seen the youngster rough-riding horses belonging to his father, who kept two or three for hire. Greatly impressed, he had recommended him to Epsom trainer John Nightingall.
It was chiefly through the instrumentality of Captain Cahill, who lived locally, that Bob became a jockey. Cahill had seen the youngster rough-riding horses belonging to his father, who kept two or three for hire. Greatly impressed, he had recommended him to Epsom trainer John Nightingall.
On September 5, 1868, then aged fourteen, Bob signed articles binding him to the stable for a term of five years. In fact, so well did things work out that, at the expiration of the period, they entered into a fresh agreement for a further three years.
On September 5, 1868, then aged fourteen, Bob signed articles binding him to the stable for a term of five years. In fact, so well did things work out that, at the expiration of the period, they entered into a fresh agreement for a further three years.
Young Bob made his first appearance for the stable in the colours of Lord Rendlesham, riding Little Go (unplaced) for the Heathcote Plate at the 1869 Epsom Spring Meeting.
Young Bob made his first appearance for the stable in the colours of Lord Rendlesham, riding Little Go (unplaced) for the Heathcote Plate at the 1869 Epsom Spring Meeting.
He rode his first winner, Mr Nightingall's Fury, at Streatham's 1873 Easter Monday Meeting. Fury started favourite at 2-1, and won by six lengths. With the ice broken, Bob then proceeded to ride another sixteen winners before the season's end.
He rode his first winner, Mr Nightingall's Fury, at Streatham's 1873 Easter Monday Meeting. Fury started favourite at 2-1, and won by six lengths. With the ice broken, Bob then proceeded to ride another sixteen winners before the season's end.
These included Fury, who gave him his second win, this time at Eastbourne in the Eastbourne Handicap. He was out of luck at both Wye and Epsom, but round the turns of Hampton he carried off the Cardinal Wolsey Handicap on Miss Mantle from a big field. Bob then took the Kingsbury Nursery Handicap on Couleur de Rose before heading to Goodwood for two unsuccessful rides; Tricotrin in the Stewards' Cup and Emily in the Goodwood Stakes.
These included Fury, who gave him his second win, this time at Eastbourne in the Eastbourne Handicap. He was out of luck at both Wye and Epsom, but round the turns of Hampton he carried off the Cardinal Wolsey Handicap on Miss Mantle from a big field. Bob then took the Kingsbury Nursery Handicap on Couleur de Rose before heading to Goodwood for two unsuccessful rides; Tricotrin in the Stewards' Cup and Emily in the Goodwood Stakes.
Bob then won two races in succession at Egham; the Betting Stand Stakes on Coleur de Rose, then the Egham Stakes on Emily. He was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Cup on the disqualification of Opendand, and his luck continued at Streatham where he landed a double on Chartreuse and Heedless.
Bob then won two races in succession at Egham; the Betting Stand Stakes on Coleur de Rose, then the Egham Stakes on Emily. He was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Cup on the disqualification of Opendand, and his luck continued at Streatham where he landed a double on Chartreuse and Heedless.
Bob escaped serious injury at Weymouth after his mount, Trump, fell at one of the turns.
Bob escaped serious injury at Weymouth after his mount, Trump, fell at one of the turns.
Moving on to Canterbury, Bob won the Bridge Plate on Woodland and, next day, the Bifrons Stakes on the same horse.
Moving on to Canterbury, Bob won the Bridge Plate on Woodland and, next day, the Bifrons Stakes on the same horse.
On his first-ever ride at Newmarket he ran unplaced in the Great Eastern Handicap on Thunderer, but at the Houghton Meeting later in the year, he scored his first win on the course riding Albanus for a Handicap Sweepstakes.
On his first-ever ride at Newmarket he ran unplaced in the Great Eastern Handicap on Thunderer, but at the Houghton Meeting later in the year, he scored his first win on the course riding Albanus for a Handicap Sweepstakes.
Having finished unplaced in the Cambridgeshire on Little Tom, he then gained his last win of the season on Nettle, which won the Palatine Nursery at Liverpool.
Having finished unplaced in the Cambridgeshire on Little Tom, he then gained his last win of the season on Nettle, which won the Palatine Nursery at Liverpool.
His number of rides the following season, 1874, considerably increased and, from 157 mounts, he won twenty races.
His number of rides the following season, 1874, considerably increased and, from 157 mounts, he won twenty races.
He commenced the season at Lincoln where he finished unplaced on three no-hopers (including Sweet Agnes in the Lincoln). His first victory that year came on Anita in the Mitcham Plate. His second was Ursula at Croydon after which he was brought before the stewards for misconduct at the start. He was let off with a reprimand.
He commenced the season at Lincoln where he finished unplaced on three no-hopers (including Sweet Agnes in the Lincoln). His first victory that year came on Anita in the Mitcham Plate. His second was Ursula at Croydon after which he was brought before the stewards for misconduct at the start. He was let off with a reprimand.
Bob, who excelled on tight courses, showed his aptitude for turns by taking the Highweight Handicap at West Drayton on Rose Blush before Ursula won for him again, this time at the Epsom Spring Meeting. Then he endured a winnerless period and it was Ursula again who broke the spell with victory in the Horton Stakes. The following week he won the Hampshire Cup at Winchester on Tricotrin and the Nil Desperandum Stakes at Croydon on Adstoc. Then he endured another bad run; Alava in the Roya Hunt Cup and Devastation in the Ascot Stakes both ran below expectations. Mounts at Windsor, Hampton, Stockbridge and Liverpool were all beaten and, with the exception of the Peel Handicap at Huntingdon, Bob failed to ride a winner for over a month. His luck turned when Chilton Lass won the Ankerwycke Selling Stakes and Peep O'Day in the Home Park Stakes.
Bob, who excelled on tight courses, showed his aptitude for turns by taking the Highweight Handicap at West Drayton on Rose Blush before Ursula won for him again, this time at the Epsom Spring Meeting. Then he endured a winnerless period and it was Ursula again who broke the spell with victory in the Horton Stakes. The following week he won the Hampshire Cup at Winchester on Tricotrin and the Nil Desperandum Stakes at Croydon on Adstoc. Then he endured another bad run; Alava in the Roya Hunt Cup and Devastation in the Ascot Stakes both ran below expectations. Mounts at Windsor, Hampton, Stockbridge and Liverpool were all beaten and, with the exception of the Peel Handicap at Huntingdon, Bob failed to ride a winner for over a month. His luck turned when Chilton Lass won the Ankerwycke Selling Stakes and Peep O'Day in the Home Park Stakes.
He rode in all the Newmarket Autumn Handicaps without success including His Grace, which disappointed in the Cambridgeshire. He rode two more winners that season; Hampton, in the Two Year Old Stakes at Brighton and, finally, Fate at his favourite meeting, Streatham.
He rode in all the Newmarket Autumn Handicaps without success including His Grace, which disappointed in the Cambridgeshire. He rode two more winners that season; Hampton, in the Two Year Old Stakes at Brighton and, finally, Fate at his favourite meeting, Streatham.
There was a great demand for Bob's services the following season, 1875, in which he rode 56 winners from 248 mounts. In was in this season that Bob rode one of his finest races when winning the Great Welcomers Handicap on Hampton after a desperate finish against Industrious, ridden by Glover. Later, a disappointing ride on Saint Leger in Epsom's City and Suburban was quickly recompensed by Hampton's victory next day in the Great Metropolitan.
There was a great demand for Bob's services the following season, 1875, in which he rode 56 winners from 248 mounts. In was in this season that Bob rode one of his finest races when winning the Great Welcomers Handicap on Hampton after a desperate finish against Industrious, ridden by Glover. Later, a disappointing ride on Saint Leger in Epsom's City and Suburban was quickly recompensed by Hampton's victory next day in the Great Metropolitan.
Surprisingly, he was not offered a single ride at the Royal Ascot meeting, neither were his servives required at Newmarket's July Meeting. His final winner of the season came at the one-day Croydon Meeting, where he won the Selling Nursery on Red Riding Hood.
Surprisingly, he was not offered a single ride at the Royal Ascot meeting, neither were his servives required at Newmarket's July Meeting. His final winner of the season came at the one-day Croydon Meeting, where he won the Selling Nursery on Red Riding Hood.
At this time, Bob was 21 years old and able to go to scale at a pound or two below 6 st. Over the years most of his victories came on the metropolitan courses, and this is accounted for simply by the fact he enjoyed riding at turning tracks.
At this time, Bob was 21 years old and able to go to scale at a pound or two below 6 st. Over the years most of his victories came on the metropolitan courses, and this is accounted for simply by the fact he enjoyed riding at turning tracks.
Known as a strong and resolute performer in the saddle - though, perhaps, sometimes rather too anxious to get home and occasionally too dependant on the whip rather than his hands - Bob continued to ride for many a season as a leading lightweight.
Known as a strong and resolute performer in the saddle - though, perhaps, sometimes rather too anxious to get home and occasionally too dependant on the whip rather than his hands - Bob continued to ride for many a season as a leading lightweight.
He died in Dahlwitz on 21 May 1880 of inflammation of the lungs.
He died in Dahlwitz on 21 May 1880 of inflammation of the lungs.