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England World Cup captain’s daughter debuts as racehorse trainer with first runner
Jun 26 2026 09:47 · By Jon Lees · 52 Reads
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An England World Cup captain’s daughter will make her debut as a racehorse trainer when she saddles her first runner on Saturday. Charlotte Sorby’s famous father is the ex-Manchester United and England legend Bryan Robson.
As Manchester United ’s longest serving captain, he won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups and was capped by England 90 times, 65 as captain.
Off the pitch he followed horse racing , attending midweek meetings from which manager Sir Alex Ferguson tried to ban him and owned horses including 13-time winner Taylormade Boy. Nowadays the 69-year-old is still seen on the racecourse, often alongside Ferguson, who has become a significant owner himself since retiring from the dugout.
Robson’s daughter has lived in South Australia for many years, working in the racing industry as a strapper [racehorse groom].
Now the 44-year-old has taken out a training licence and will saddle her first runner Hello World at Morphetteville Parks in Adelaide on Saturday.
“His name's Hello World,” she told Racing South Australia. “It's a horse for Viv Oldfield and Marilyn Smith. I actually used to ride his mother back when I worked for Marilyn for many years.
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“And I just approached Marilyn and Viv about the opportunity to get my trainer's licence and if they were happy for me to have a little play around and have my first runner.
“I did have aspirations to train one day, but you know, life happens. And I had two little girls in the meantime and they took a lot of priority.”
She continued: “When Marilyn retired I came on board with Will Clarken. I’ve been here for six years now, and he's been a big catalyst in my push to get my trainer's licence.
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“I'm hoping just for a nice run, just not getting my expectations up too high. If we can just be in the top few, I'd be happy.”
Charlotte was born during the 1982 World Cup, when her father was away with the England team.
She added: "Dad was playing in the 1982 World Cup. Mum was due to have me and he actually scored the fastest goal in that World Cup.
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“They brought him off the pitch and I'd been born, which he didn't know, and he was put in front of a camera and they videoed. My mum got all glammed up with her hair a couple of hours after having me and they had me on a live stream across to my dad. So the first time he saw me was during the 1982 World Cup.