Philip Blacker

Philip Blacker (b. 1949 ^[1] ) was a jockey until his retirement in 1982. ^[2] Since then, he has been a sculptor of sporting arts.

He is the son of General Sir Cecil Blacker.

Career

Jockey

Blacker became a professional jockey at the start of the 1969/1970 season and remained so for 13 years, during which time he rode 340 winners. ^[1] He is a Member of the Jockey Club, ^[3] and has sat on various committees including the British Horseracing Authorities Security and Investigations Committee. ^[4]

In 1973 Blacker finished fourth on Spanish Steps in the first Grand National won by Red Rum. In 1977 Blacker finished seventh on Happy Ranger to Red Rum, winning his third and final Grand National. Blacker said that 1982 was "my one big chance to win the race". ^[1] However, Blacker had taken a ride at Ludlow the day before the Grand National where he fell and broke his arm. In his absence, Royal Mail was ridden by another jockey and the horse fell at Becher's Brook fence. "That horse needed a rider that knew him and on that day he didn't", commented Blacker afterwards, describing the event as "one of the biggest regrets of my life". ^[1]

Amongst the 340 races won by Blacker were the: 1981 Welsh Champion Hurdle (Pollardstown), 1980 Aintree Hurdle (Pollardstown), 1980 Whitbread Gold Cup (Royal Mail), and two races at the 1979 Cheltenham Festival; the Stayers' Hurdle (Lighter) and the Triumph Hurdle (Pollardstown).

Sculptor

Blacker is considered as "one of the most important names" in 20th century sporting art by Stella A. Walker. ^[5] A former art student prior to his days as a jockey, ^[1] in 1987, he produced his first work: a life-size sculpture of Red Rum at Aintree Racecourse, ^[6] unveiled one year later by the Princess Royal. ^[7]

He has produced numerous works across the UK and abroad; including racecourse bronzes of Best Mate at Cheltenham, Generous at Epsom, Persian Punch at Newmarket, Desert Orchid at Kempton Park, Makybe Diva at Flemington in Melbourne, Northern Dancer at Woodbine in Canada and an 18-foot stallion in Saudi Arabia. ^{[1] [6]}

In 2014 he sculpted a series of bronze friezes featuring a number houses in a Thompson's Gallery exhibit Farewell, Leicester Square commemoration of the centenary of the First World War, which he says were based on the poetry of the era. ^[8]

In January 2017 he produced a limited edition of 400 small bronze replicas of the Red Rum statue at Aintree, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Red Rum's third Grand National victory. ^{[9] [10]}

References

1. Majendie, Matt (23 October 2014). "Saddle to sculpture: Ex-jockey Philip Blacker molds a new career". CNN. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024.
2. "Philip Blacker". Thompson's Galleries. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
3. "Our Members". The Jockey Club. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
4. "Security Appointments". The British Horseracing Authority. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
5. Stella A. Walker (1989). British sporting art in the twentieth century. Sportsman's Press. p. 179. ISBN   978-0-948253-36-2.
6. Armytage, Marcus (17 October 2011). "Philip Blacker has lucky escape". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023.
7. Lally, Kate (24 December 2016). "Grand National 2017 will celebrate Red Rum's 40th anniversary". Southport Visiter. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017.
8. Armytage, Marcus (27 October 2014). "Philip Blacker, jockey turned artist, launches exhibition inspired by the 'original' warhorse, Warrior". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
9. Evans, Marc (8 April 2017). "Oxfordshire jockey with a Grand National past creates sculptures of Red Rum on 40th anniversary". Oxford Mail. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
10. Armytage, Marcus (3 April 2017). "Grand National: Sculptor with the inside track on Red Rum". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 October 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2026.