Roy Philip
Roy Philip
Roy Philip
Roy Philip, of Moss Dene, Cheltenham, died at Queen's Hospital, Birmingham, on Wednesday, March 10, 1926, as the result of the injuries he received when Tranga fell with him in the Novices' Hurdle at Shirley on Monday.
Roy Philip, of Moss Dene, Cheltenham, died at Queen's Hospital, Birmingham, on Wednesday, March 10, 1926, as the result of the injuries he received when Tranga fell with him in the Novices' Hurdle at Shirley on Monday.
An operation the following morning to remove pressure on the spine was performed, but it transpired that his neck was broken. There was little hope for his recovery.
An operation the following morning to remove pressure on the spine was performed, but it transpired that his neck was broken. There was little hope for his recovery.
The son of racehorse owner and breeder Mr W. P. Philip, of East Hadden, Northants. Roy had ridden his first winner (as an amateur) on Castle in Spain at Monmouth in April 1923, and by November that year had lost his right to the 5lb allowance and had become a professional. He rode his first winner in that capacity, Parlour Trick, at Bromford Bridge the following week.
The son of racehorse owner and breeder Mr W. P. Philip, of East Hadden, Northants. Roy had ridden his first winner (as an amateur) on Castle in Spain at Monmouth in April 1923, and by November that year had lost his right to the 5lb allowance and had become a professional. He rode his first winner in that capacity, Parlour Trick, at Bromford Bridge the following week.
Two of his most noteworthy recent successes were with Snipes Bridge, trained by Capt. R. M. Thompson of Cirencester, on which he won the Nottinghamshire Handicap Steeplechase on February 2nd, and the Walton Handicap at Hurst Park on February 19th.
Two of his most noteworthy recent successes were with Snipes Bridge, trained by Capt. R. M. Thompson of Cirencester, on which he won the Nottinghamshire Handicap Steeplechase on February 2nd, and the Walton Handicap at Hurst Park on February 19th.
Probably the best horse he ever rode was Postino on which he beat Double Chance, the 1925 Grand National winner, at Haydock Park. That was the memorable race in which the brilliant Fly Mask met with a fatal accident.
Probably the best horse he ever rode was Postino on which he beat Double Chance, the 1925 Grand National winner, at Haydock Park. That was the memorable race in which the brilliant Fly Mask met with a fatal accident.
Apart from Capt. R. M. Thompson, Roy also rode for the stables of Alfred Saxby at Cheltenham and A. E. MacColl at Westbury.
Apart from Capt. R. M. Thompson, Roy also rode for the stables of Alfred Saxby at Cheltenham and A. E. MacColl at Westbury.
Tranga, Roy's last mount, was trained by Capt. R. Laye, who had every intention of taking the ride on Tranga himself. However, the Captain took a bad fall from Casiltom at Derby days earlier and Roy gladly accepted the spare ride.
Tranga, Roy's last mount, was trained by Capt. R. Laye, who had every intention of taking the ride on Tranga himself. However, the Captain took a bad fall from Casiltom at Derby days earlier and Roy gladly accepted the spare ride.
Roy had more than his share of mishaps in his short experience, as he broke a collarbone early in his career and again in January 1924 when Fly Boy ll fell with him at Windsor.
Roy had more than his share of mishaps in his short experience, as he broke a collarbone early in his career and again in January 1924 when Fly Boy ll fell with him at Windsor.
Roy had been married for two years to the youngest sister of Mr Saxby, who trained at Old Farm, Bishop's Cleeve and it was here that the couple usually made their home when Roy was not away on riding engagements.
Roy had been married for two years to the youngest sister of Mr Saxby, who trained at Old Farm, Bishop's Cleeve and it was here that the couple usually made their home when Roy was not away on riding engagements.
He had ridden fifteen winners during the previous season.
He had ridden fifteen winners during the previous season.
His was the first fatal riding accident to a jockey under National Hunt Rules since the National Hunt Accident Fund was formed. This provided a maximum benefit £1,000 lump sum or in trust for the widow, children or another dependent if death occurs within six weeks of the accident.
His was the first fatal riding accident to a jockey under National Hunt Rules since the National Hunt Accident Fund was formed. This provided a maximum benefit £1,000 lump sum or in trust for the widow, children or another dependent if death occurs within six weeks of the accident.
Roy Philip was buried at 2.30 on Sunday 14th March at East Haddon Church.
Roy Philip was buried at 2.30 on Sunday 14th March at East Haddon Church.
His primrose jacket and green cap were placed on his coffin by his father after it had been lowered into the grave.
His primrose jacket and green cap were placed on his coffin by his father after it had been lowered into the grave.
Roy was 23.
Roy was 23.
At an inquest held on Friday 12 March, his brother Walter stated that Roy was a professional jockey in good health. He had been riding for six years. The horse was the property of Mrs Tait of Rugby. The race, the first on that day's card, was over eight hurdles and had attracted a field of fourteen runners. Roy had gotten away quickly, jumping the first two hurdles in the lead. He was clear of the field when he came down at the third. No other jockey was involved and there was nothing wrong with the ground on either side of the hurdle. There was nothing wrong with the horse either, which continued to gallop around the track.
At an inquest held on Friday 12 March, his brother Walter stated that Roy was a professional jockey in good health. He had been riding for six years. The horse was the property of Mrs Tait of Rugby. The race, the first on that day's card, was over eight hurdles and had attracted a field of fourteen runners. Roy had gotten away quickly, jumping the first two hurdles in the lead. He was clear of the field when he came down at the third. No other jockey was involved and there was nothing wrong with the ground on either side of the hurdle. There was nothing wrong with the horse either, which continued to gallop around the track.
The Coroner returned a verdict of 'accidental death.'
The Coroner returned a verdict of 'accidental death.'