Harry (Waldo) Blades

Born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, on July 5, 1885, George Harry Blades was apprenticed to Tom Leader at Newmarket in 1900, having been introduced to the trainer by Lord Kesteven.

Known as Harry, rather than George, or more popularly by the nickname ‘Waldo’, he was one of the most widely-travelled jockeys of his time, riding in eleven countries. His successes included the Austrian and Danish Derbies, the Romanian St Leger, the Viceroy Cup in Bombay and the Calcutta Cup, after which victory he was presented with a medal by Lord Kitchener.

He also rode for the Kaiser, accepting that retainer in 1912, which turned out to be a particularly inopportune career move as he found himself interned for the duration of the 1914-18 war together with Fred Winter senior and Freddie Lane. 

‘Waldo’ also partnered horses owned by King Edward VII, Lord Lonsdale and the Marquis of Exeter and rode most of his British winners for Newmarket trainer Reg Day.

After he gave up riding in 1928, he worked as head lad to various trainers, finishing his racing career in that capacity for Norman Scobie – a post he held for 16 years – before retiring to live at Ryhall, in Leicestershire.

Harry ‘Waldo’ Blades died in St George’s Hospital, Stamford, in 1979, aged 94.