Philip Power
Philip Power
Philip Power
1928-2020
1928-2020
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Philip Francis Power had plenty of rides under National hunt rules during the 1950s and had four wins.
Philip Francis Power had plenty of rides under National hunt rules during the 1950s and had four wins.
Born in 1928, he had his first ride at Stratford on September 16, 1950, when Abigail was unplaced in the Three-Year-Old Hurdle. It was to be more than four years before his first success, achieved at Wolverhampton on December 27, 1954, when Short Heath, owned and trained by Roy Banner at Great Barr, on the outskirts of Birmingham, was a narrow winner of the Albrighton Handicap Hurdle, beating Perle Fine VII, ridden by future trainer Mick James, by a head, despite Philip putting up 3lb overweight. He had been aboard the five-year-old’s previous four starts and had finished second on the last two occasions, so now had a welcome change of fortune.
Born in 1928, he had his first ride at Stratford on September 16, 1950, when Abigail was unplaced in the Three-Year-Old Hurdle. It was to be more than four years before his first success, achieved at Wolverhampton on December 27, 1954, when Short Heath, owned and trained by Roy Banner at Great Barr, on the outskirts of Birmingham, was a narrow winner of the Albrighton Handicap Hurdle, beating Perle Fine VII, ridden by future trainer Mick James, by a head, despite Philip putting up 3lb overweight. He had been aboard the five-year-old’s previous four starts and had finished second on the last two occasions, so now had a welcome change of fortune.
Their next outing was at Leicester on February 15, 1955, landing the Stayers’ Handicap hurdle by three lengths. They only managed one third place from four more starts that season.
Their next outing was at Leicester on February 15, 1955, landing the Stayers’ Handicap hurdle by three lengths. They only managed one third place from four more starts that season.
Two more unplaced efforts followed at the start of the 1955/56 campaign, but after finishing second at Wolverhampton on November 21, Philip and Short Heath struck for a third time when landing the Town Handicap Hurdle back at Leicester seven days later, beating Postman’s Path by two lengths.
Two more unplaced efforts followed at the start of the 1955/56 campaign, but after finishing second at Wolverhampton on November 21, Philip and Short Heath struck for a third time when landing the Town Handicap Hurdle back at Leicester seven days later, beating Postman’s Path by two lengths.
The seven-year-old Conduit, trained by Les Maund and having his first run for almost a year, was Philip’s final winner when taking the Ladywood Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on December 3. He was unable to add to his total thereafter. Indeed, he appears to have had just one ride in the 1956/57 season and then missed the next two seasons completely before returning in October 1959.
The seven-year-old Conduit, trained by Les Maund and having his first run for almost a year, was Philip’s final winner when taking the Ladywood Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on December 3. He was unable to add to his total thereafter. Indeed, he appears to have had just one ride in the 1956/57 season and then missed the next two seasons completely before returning in October 1959.
The comeback did not bring a change of fortune, but at least he did have a ride over the Grand National fences, when last of three finishers in the Molyneux Chase on November 5, 1959. Victory went to Eagle Lodge, ridden by Alan Oughton, beating Siracusa, the mount of Jumbo Wilkinson, by a length. Philip’s mount, 25-1 outsider Border Wave, finished a ‘bad’ third, but at least he got round, which is more than could be said of the other nine starters.
The comeback did not bring a change of fortune, but at least he did have a ride over the Grand National fences, when last of three finishers in the Molyneux Chase on November 5, 1959. Victory went to Eagle Lodge, ridden by Alan Oughton, beating Siracusa, the mount of Jumbo Wilkinson, by a length. Philip’s mount, 25-1 outsider Border Wave, finished a ‘bad’ third, but at least he got round, which is more than could be said of the other nine starters.
Philip’s last two rides were at Fakenham on May 26, 1962, finishing unplaced on Michelle’s Trigger in the Novices’ Hurdle, then falling on Solarette in the Litcham Novices’ Chase.
Philip’s last two rides were at Fakenham on May 26, 1962, finishing unplaced on Michelle’s Trigger in the Novices’ Hurdle, then falling on Solarette in the Litcham Novices’ Chase.
Philip Power died in 2020.
Philip Power died in 2020.
His four winners were, in chronological order:
His four winners were, in chronological order:
1. Short Heath, Wolverhampton, December 27, 1954
1. Short Heath, Wolverhampton, December 27, 1954
2. Short Heath, Leicester, February 15, 1955
2. Short Heath, Leicester, February 15, 1955
3. Short Heath, Leicester, November 28, 1955
3. Short Heath, Leicester, November 28, 1955
4. Conduit, Worcester, December 3, 1955
4. Conduit, Worcester, December 3, 1955
Philip Power's first win
Philip's second win
Philip's third win on Short Heath
Conduit, Philip's final winner