Vale Arthur ‘Scrooge’ Robertson

It is with sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) acknowledge the passing of former jockey Arthur ‘Scrooge’ Robertson after a battle with illness.

Robertson, 63, was born in New Zealand and followed his father in embarking on a career as a jockey. He moved to Australia in the late 1980s and was based at Epsom with Hall of Fame trainer Jim Moloney.

Robertson mixed riding in jumps and flat races and is one of a unique group of riders to compete in both disciplines at Victoria’s four metropolitan tracks – Flemington, Caulfield, The Valley and Sandown.

After the closure of the Epsom Training Centre, he became a regular at the Cranbourne Training Centre riding trackwork up to six days a week.

Robertson rode in more than 4,700 races across Australia and was a regular fixture at meetings throughout Victoria’s south-east including Bairnsdale, Moe, Sale and Stony Creek.

He rode over 220 winners in three states of Australia celebrating metropolitan victories at Flemington, Caulfield, The Valley and Sandown, along with success in the 1996 Stawell Cup aboard Tribe.

Those horses with whom he enjoyed a strong association included Garcon Bleu, Royal Pride and Scottish Rebel, whilst his final victory came in the 2020 King Island Cup aboard Frites.

RV’s Chief Executive, Aaron Morrison, said: “On behalf of the entire industry, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Arthur Robertson’s family and friends on the sad news of his passing.

“Scrooge, as he was known to many, was a popular member of the south-east racing community who dedicated his life to thoroughbred racing on both sides of the Tasman.”  

VJA Chief Executive, Matt Hyland, said, “Scrooge was a much-loved and highly respected fixture in our Victorian racing scene for decades after arriving from New Zealand in the late 1980’s as a jumps jockey, then swapping to the flat as a hard-working, dedicated and committed jockey.

“At trackwork, he was an extraordinarily skilled horseman who made mornings go much more quickly than they otherwise would have.

“Scrooge will be sadly missed and to his family, friends and colleagues, on behalf of the entire Victorian jockey cohort, we offer our condolences at this very sad time.”