Luke Bland

National Hunt jockey Luke Dare Bland was born in 1870 and rode 38 winners over jumps. 

He had his first ride at the annual Grafton Hunt (Towcester) Easter fixture in April 1887, finishing unplaced. It wasn’t until May 7, 1891 that he scored his first success, a short-head victory on Episcopus in the Selling Hunters’ Hurdle at Stratford-on-Avon.

Luke came closest to winning a big race when finishing second, beaten three lengths, on Caustic in the 1893 Grand Sefton Chase at Liverpool. He enjoyed his most successful year in 1895 with 11 wins. 

He had two mounts in the Grand National, both on 100-1 outsiders, the first on Little Joe in 1897, the second on Hall In in 1898, both of whom fell. 

He rode his last winner on Maidenhair, the evens favourite, in the Kelham Hall Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on May 8, 1899. He had what proved to be his final ride when finishing unplaced on Court Journal in the Steyning Selling Hurdle at Plumpton on November 17, 1900. 

Sadly, Luke Bland died the following year, on August 9, 1901. He was 31.