76 years young and a farmer, based at Linwood near Market Rasen, Milson Robinson (pictured second left after Panama Canal won at Dingley) is a stalwart of the Lincolnshire pointing scene. His bright red and blue colours have been carried to success in recent years by the likes of Menchikov and the prolific Panama Canal and – as he admits to Jake Exelby – his ambition is “I’d love other people to enjoy pointing as much as I’ve done.”
How did you get into point-to-pointing?
My family were farmers, although my father was a Methodist, so was against gambling! But my mum was a dressmaker and when my cousin George Pickering was riding in the Brocklesby Members race, he asked her to sew a diamond on his shirt! We all went along – although Dad wouldn’t go in, and parked on the road outside – and I thought, ‘I’d love to have a go at this.’
I had a pony as a child and did gymkhanas, and used to go into the parade ring at points with George. Then, when I got to 16, I bought a horse at Doncaster for £100. I can’t even remember his name – we called him Claude. I had my first ride on him at the Burton, when it was on a course on a hillside and we raced across a ploughed field.
I also remember riding at the first race at the Carholme on the old Lincoln racecourse in 1967– on Tea Pea Dee – who was named after my niece, Tracey Pamela Dixon. Later, my son Simon (who trains his father’s horses) won the last race held there, in 1991 on The Big Wheel.
Pointing at the Carholme in 1967
Who’s inspired you most in the world of pointing?
Caroline and Gerald Bailey, who have become great friends. They’re professionals and it’s up to the likes of us to try our hardest to beat them. I remember one miserable day when Simon said the horses should stay in. I replied, ‘Will Caroline and Gerald be working theirs?’ We worked ours that day too!
Caroline Bailey: great friend
Who have been your favourite horses?
Panama Canal (who won ten races). He’s always been my horse and I rode him in all his work at home. And Menchikov (unbeaten in his first five points) was my best horse by a mile. We ran him in the 2009 Foxhunters at Aintree – he fell at the Chair. It was the first time I’d ever been and we still talk about it now. Silver Streak was another smashing horse – we wanted to run him at Aintree and he’d have jumped round there.
Jockey Richard Armson after riding his 100th winner on Milson's Menchikov
Which jockeys have you most admired?
Jimmy Tarry, who Simon used to ride alongside. Everyone looked up to him and thought the world of him. I remember he used to ride home-breds and would often win by the shortest of short-heads, saying ‘It was enough!’
What are your favourite courses and why?
Someone said Garthorpe is my second home, but I answered, ‘It’s my first home,’ even though it’s 50 miles away. I remember riding there and it’s always seemed special. Panama Canal won four there, including the Quorn Gold Cup.
Garthorpe: favourite course
What do you love most about pointing?
We’re farmers who have the odd horse that we work on a hillside in the Lincolnshire Wolds – it’s basically a grass verge on the side of the road! But it’s not an expensive hobby as long as you don’t get carried away. We train them at home, see them every day and get as much pleasure out of working them as we do from racing, which can sometimes be an anti-climax!
Do you have any funny moments you can share?
Simon had broken his collarbone and so we booked Brian Crawford – who’s now Clerk of the Course at Garthorpe – for The Big Wheel, who was perfect at swishing his tail, in the Burton Members race. Brian started riding like fury, the horse’s tail was going round like a windmill at 200mph and they didn’t win the race! It’s still a standing joke at Garthorpe.
Do you have any regrets?
Not being a better rider. I never rode a winner – indeed, I didn’t get near the winner’s enclosure. Simon used to laugh at me about it.
What changes have you seen during your time? For better, for worse?
The courses and fences are looked after better and it’s got more professional. As far as going down the four-year-old route is concerned, I think courses should get a share of the revenue (from their sales), but you can’t make everyone happy. Personally, I’m not interested in young horses and if I had a good one, of course I wouldn’t sell it. What would I do with the money – go out and buy another one who isn’t as good! I always say, ‘We farm to make money, and race to spend it!’
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I know it will never happen, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing if we went back to grass roots, racing round bales in each corner of the track. That’s how it started, but you couldn’t do it now for health and safety reasons.
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
It’s obviously not going to help but I’d like to think the sport will continue. I’m friendly with the organisers of the South Wold, who took a risk running in November, but the meeting did well. I watched the live streaming, although I missed the Johnny Bailey / Sam Davies-Thomas double act!
What are your plans for this season?
We’ve got two horses to run – Hurricane Vic, who won at Market Rasen in May when trained by Richard Armson and ridden by his son Philip (both of whom rode for Milson between the flags) and Sommervieu, who missed last season. It’s difficult to find jockeys - I was hoping to get Tom Broughton to ride, but he’s broken his leg, so it would be good to have John Dawson.
Who are your young riders to watch?
It’s good to see Philip doing well under rules, where he’s riding for David Pipe a lot. It’s been great seeing him going all the way through from pony racing to professionalism, as it’s all he’s ever wanted to do. I think of him like a son – we still speak regularly and he calls in when he’s riding at Market Rasen.
Philip Armson: rising star
And your horses to follow?
Bloodstone, who Dale Peters bought from Gigginstown for James Henderson, who’s a good friend. He really stood out in the sales catalogue.
Who would be your ideal dinner party guests?
All the lads who’ve ever ridden for us. We’ve stayed friends with them and it would be a lovely night. While pointing’s been a hobby, it’s been a big part of my life.
Do you have a nickname you’re willing to share?
With a name like Milson, I don’t need one!
What's the best present you've ever been given?
My wife Christine, to whom I’ve been married for 53 years. It was a simple ceremony – just drinks and a wedding cake – because we got married on August 7th. I still don’t understand why a farmer would get married in the middle of harvesting!