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Henry Blay
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1865, Henry Blay rode on the Flat without success at the turn of the 20th century. He took out a jumps licence and rode a winner in 1901, then returned to the Flat and doubled his tally with a victory in 1902.
He had his first ride on Pass-Cora, owned by the successful amateur jockey Dan Thirlwell, at Lingfield Park on October 15, 1898, finishing unplaced in the Rustic Selling Plate won by Fred Pratt on White Nun II. Not being able to claim an apprentice allowance probably did not help his cause.
It was not until another Lingfield meeting, on December 14, 1901, that Henry was able to celebrate a winner, when Muggins II landed the Surrey Selling Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. The horse was sold to leading trainer Harry Escott at the post-race auction.
Henry returned to the Flat in 1902 and, in a tight finish, just managed to win the Elmley Plate at Worcester on July 4 on Vanstella, beating Saintcraft by a head, with Golden Cabin a further head away in third.
Sadly, Henry was unable to win another race under either code, although he made a brief return to the Flat in 1926 when aged 60.
Henry Blay's only win over the jumps, Muggins ll at Lingfield on 14 December 1901
Henry Blay was described as a 'diminutive, workmanlike jockey' after the race.
Henry's second and final winner: Vanstella at Worcester, July 4 1902. Saintcraft arrived with a big reputation and Golden Cabin was also well supported, but Vanstella outran his odds to win by a head. It was a desperate, close race and the judge could easily have given the result to any of the first three but, to the joy of the bookmakers, Henry's mount was deemed the winner. Vanstella was sold after the race for 115 guineas.
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