Tubby Parker
1910 - 1991
1910 - 1991
Amateur rider Albert Patrick Parker, universally known by his nickname ‘Tubby’ was born on February 2, 1910. A Norfolk farmer, his career was at its height in the immediate post-war years, the late 1940s to the early 1950s. His racing colours were ‘grey, orange cap’, the reverse of the more famous silks of classic-winning owner Marcel Boussac.
Amateur rider Albert Patrick Parker, universally known by his nickname ‘Tubby’ was born on February 2, 1910. A Norfolk farmer, his career was at its height in the immediate post-war years, the late 1940s to the early 1950s. His racing colours were ‘grey, orange cap’, the reverse of the more famous silks of classic-winning owner Marcel Boussac.
He had his first ride under National Hunt on Miss Vista in the Amateur Riders’ Optional Selling Hurdle at West Norfolk Hunt (known today as Fakenham) on Easter Monday, April 1, 1929, finishing unplaced. Tubby rode his first winner on Sling Along in the Norwich Selling Handicap Hurdle at Hethersett on May 7, 1932. He had one pre-war Grand National mount, in 1937 on 40-1 chance Irvine, who fell.
He had his first ride under National Hunt on Miss Vista in the Amateur Riders’ Optional Selling Hurdle at West Norfolk Hunt (known today as Fakenham) on Easter Monday, April 1, 1929, finishing unplaced. Tubby rode his first winner on Sling Along in the Norwich Selling Handicap Hurdle at Hethersett on May 7, 1932. He had one pre-war Grand National mount, in 1937 on 40-1 chance Irvine, who fell.
When National Hunt racing resumed after the war, Tubby enjoyed his most successful season numerically in 1947/48 with 14 wins, placing him third in the amateur riders’ championship. He finished second on Adam’s Caught in that season’s Liverpool Foxhunters’ Chase, which was then run over the full Grand National distance, being the last of just two to get round, nine having fallen and one refused, and finishing 20 lengths behind the winner San Michelle, the mount of Guy Cunard.
When National Hunt racing resumed after the war, Tubby enjoyed his most successful season numerically in 1947/48 with 14 wins, placing him third in the amateur riders’ championship. He finished second on Adam’s Caught in that season’s Liverpool Foxhunters’ Chase, which was then run over the full Grand National distance, being the last of just two to get round, nine having fallen and one refused, and finishing 20 lengths behind the winner San Michelle, the mount of Guy Cunard.
Tubby rode in two more Grand Nationals, both on Offaly Prince, finishing ninth behind Sheila’s Cottage in 1948 but falling in 1949.
Tubby rode in two more Grand Nationals, both on Offaly Prince, finishing ninth behind Sheila’s Cottage in 1948 but falling in 1949.
He also rode in amateur riders’ races on the Flat, recording his last two wins in that sphere in 1949 on Mallowry at Salisbury on April 14 and Western Pride at Wolverhampton on October 17.
He also rode in amateur riders’ races on the Flat, recording his last two wins in that sphere in 1949 on Mallowry at Salisbury on April 14 and Western Pride at Wolverhampton on October 17.
He recorded his most important success on Morning Cover, trained by Gerry Wilson, in the 1950 Kim Muir Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting. He finished second on Tiberdon in that year’s National Hunt Chase, having finished third on him the previous year.
He recorded his most important success on Morning Cover, trained by Gerry Wilson, in the 1950 Kim Muir Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting. He finished second on Tiberdon in that year’s National Hunt Chase, having finished third on him the previous year.
By then he was approaching the end of his race-riding career. He recorded his last two wins aboard Froggie’s Daughter, landing the Gone Away Open Hunters’ Chase at Folkestone on May 1, 1950 and in the Eastern Counties’ Foxhunters’ Chase at West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham) five days later, Saturday, May 6, 1950.
By then he was approaching the end of his race-riding career. He recorded his last two wins aboard Froggie’s Daughter, landing the Gone Away Open Hunters’ Chase at Folkestone on May 1, 1950 and in the Eastern Counties’ Foxhunters’ Chase at West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham) five days later, Saturday, May 6, 1950.
Tubby had his final ride under National Hunt rules on Grandale who refused in the Fakenham Handicap Chase at West Norfolk Hunt on Whit Monday, May 25, 1953.
Tubby had his final ride under National Hunt rules on Grandale who refused in the Fakenham Handicap Chase at West Norfolk Hunt on Whit Monday, May 25, 1953.
World War Two severely curtailed his riding opportunities, but for which he would have ridden far more than his total of 46 winners under National Hunt rules. In his book ‘Hardly a Jockey’, John Hislop recalls Tubby as “a top-class all-rounder, stylish, competent and tough”.
World War Two severely curtailed his riding opportunities, but for which he would have ridden far more than his total of 46 winners under National Hunt rules. In his book ‘Hardly a Jockey’, John Hislop recalls Tubby as “a top-class all-rounder, stylish, competent and tough”.
In later years, Tubby came back into the news as the breeder of the 1971 Grand National winner Specify. He died in November 1991, aged 81.
In later years, Tubby came back into the news as the breeder of the 1971 Grand National winner Specify. He died in November 1991, aged 81.
