Robert Winston
ROBERT WINSTON, who retired from race riding just over two years ago, has returned to the saddle, having been granted his jockey’s licence last week by the BHA and has been booked to ride Sharp Distinction for Solario Racing this coming Tuesday at Kempton Park.
Out of the game since September 2019, Robert, 41, felt he had retired too early and missed the buzz of race riding. He has been riding out for most of this year at Charlie Appleby’s Moulton Paddocks stables in Newmarket.
Former Champion Apprentice in 1999, the rider of over 1600 winners during a 23-year career, he was leading the jockeys’ championship the following year before injury struck which put him on the sidelines and out of the title race. His best ever placing was fifth in 2005 and 2006 while he has won over £1m in prize money on four occasions.
Dean Ivory and Robert Winston
He has ridden over 1600 winners for some 149 different trainers but it is Dean Ivory for whom he has had the most success. His 105 victories for Harper Lodge Farm include big race wins on Caspian Prince, Tropics and Librisa Breeze. The last named gave him not only a “Lester” for Flat Ride of the Year in 2016, when the pair came from near last to first in the totescoop6 Heritage Handicap at Ascot but also a Group One Champions’ Sprint success, again at Ascot the following year.
Yesterday, a very relaxed Robert Winston had the leg up on Sharp Distinction and also Hot Chesnut, a promising 3yo filly, owned and bred by Michael and Heather Yarrow. Both went nicely and Robert is jocked up on both horses this week.
Sharp Distinction (Robert Winston) nearside
Robert was in fact back race riding last month when second in the Legends’ race at Doncaster. Beaten a short head on Shining Aitch, he did say to me, “I should have won!”
Robert’s first ride back for the stable is on Sharp Distinction who is in a very warm maiden over 7f. It’s unlikely to be a fairytale comeback but Solario Racing is delighted to have him aboard!
