Racing: Knifebox the final twist for Roberts

Matt Chapman
Monday 15 November 1993 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE FINAL wound in what has been an often painful season for Michael Roberts was delivered on Sunday when Knifebox won Europe's last Group One event of the year, the Premio Roma, writes Matt Chapman. With Pat Eddery on board, sporting the Sheikh Mohammed colours that Roberts had been contracted to carry this year, the South African was deprived of the distinction of having won more prize-money at Flat racing's highest level than any other rider in 1993.

Despite holding pole position in that table until Sunday, with five Group One wins worth pounds 1,451,779, Roberts was unable to retain his position as the Sheikh's rider and those wearing the maroon and white silks in 1994 may have a tough task to better those figures.

Eddery's eight successes in the top events included five for Khalid Abdullah, a figure that would have been improved had he chosen Commander In Chief in the Derby instead of Tenby.

Cash Asmussen has had a highly profitable season, winning 10 Group One races - seven at Longchamp where he excels. Lester Piggott, though, has had a disappointing 1993, managing only a single Group One win after eight the previous year.

Andre Fabre dominated the trainer's table, proving pre-eminent in the top events. Of the 73 Group One contests that were run in Europe in 1993, France's champion trainer won nine times and reached a place on 38 occasions. Willie Jarvis, Neville Callaghan and Mark Tompkins recorded their first winners at the highest level.

----------------------------------------------------------------- TRAINERS' RECORDS IN EUROPEAN GROUP ONE RACES OF 1993 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Trainer 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Prize-money A Fabre (Fr) 9 12 10 7 pounds 1,963,697 F Boutin (Fr) 8 2 7 1 pounds 1,334,046 H Cecil (GB) 3 3 5 2 pounds 1,221,498 M Stoute (GB) 4 5 2 1 pounds 1,008,586 P Chapple-Hyam (GB) 2 3 4 3 pounds 934,487 C Brittain (GB) 3 3 2 4 pounds 714,796 E Lellouche (Fr) 4 3 2 3 pounds 668,664 Mme C Head (Fr) 2 3 1 6 pounds 637,813 J Lesbordes (Fr) 1 0 0 0 pounds 597,372 H Jentzsch (Ger) 4 1 0 0 pounds 493,877 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Table includes prize-money for finishing in the first four only -----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------- JOCKEYS' RECORDS IN EUROPEAN GROUP ONE RACES OF 1993 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Rider 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Prize-money Pat Eddery (GB based) 8 6 5 4 pounds 1,539,863 M Roberts (GB) 5 9 5 2 pounds 1,451,779 C Asmussen (Fr) 10 2 5 2 pounds 1,433,269 J Reid (GB) 4 4 2 4 pounds 1,019,549 W R Swinburn (GB) 4 6 2 8 pounds 999,438 M Kinane (Irl) 5 0 1 2 pounds 915,652 T Jarnet (Fr) 4 6 5 4 pounds 810,047 L Dettori (GB) 4 3 8 0 pounds 737,748 E Saint-Martin (Fr) 1 0 2 0 pounds 657,109 W Carson (GB) 3 3 2 5 pounds 599,080 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Table includes prize-money for finishing in the first four only -----------------------------------------------------------------

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in