About Robert B. Watson
Lived 1913 – 1997 (aged 83–84). Robert B. Watson was a Canadian jockey.
Robert B. Watson (1913–1997) was a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame jockey. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the son of Helen Booth and her husband, Alexander Watson. In his youth, the family emigrated to Canada where they settled in the city of Toronto, Ontario where Alexander Watson became involved in Thoroughbred racing. Alexander's sister, Georgina, married Ross Robertson, and they too emigrated to the United States. Their son, Alfred Robertson, was also a highly successful jockey who was inducted in the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame.
In 1937, amidst rumours of race-fixing, Bobby Watson was one several jockeys whose licence was revoked by the Canadian Racing Association for what was deemed to be "suspicious behaviour." Reinstated, in 1939 he began winning important races at Old Woodbine Race Course and, according to his induction biography at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, "Watson absolutely dominated horse racing in Ontario in the 1940s."
Watson won a total of nine of the Classic races that would later form the official Canadian Triple Crown series including all three in 1945 aboard Uttermost. As well, he is the only three-time winner of the prestigious Canadian Championship, doing it in consecutive years.
Bobby Watson retired from riding in the 1950s, ending a career that spanned more than 25 years. He served as an Ontario racing steward for the Jockey Club of Canada in the 1970s and 1980s.
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Important facts
People in Robert B. Watson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Robert B. Watson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Robert B. Watson?
Canadian Hall of Fame jockey
When was Robert B. Watson born?
Robert B. Watson was born in 1913 in Toronto.
When did Robert B. Watson die?
Robert B. Watson died in 1997.
What was Robert B. Watson's occupation?
Robert B. Watson was a jockey.
What nationality was Robert B. Watson?
Robert B. Watson was Canadian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert B. Watson. https://biography.guide/robert-b-watson/
MLA: "Robert B. Watson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-b-watson/.
Chicago: "Robert B. Watson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-b-watson/.
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