Paul Blackburn

Article by Alan Trout

Paul John Blackburn rode a dozen winners over jumps, spread over three seasons. All but two of his victories were on horses trained by Jim Leigh at Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, and all but three were gained at Market Rasen or Southwell.

He made his debut at the latter course on April 3, 1980, when Tshainik finished fifth of 12 in the Burgage Novices’ Opportunity Hurdle. It was to be more than three years before he rode a winner, that initial success finally coming back at Southwell on October 27, 1983, when the five-year-old Jimmypick took the lead two flights out and ran on to take the Haig Whisky Novices’ Hurdle qualifier by half a length. 

Paul had ridden Jimmypick three times the previous season, managing one third place. He retained the partnership following their Southwell success but could do no better than two more third places in five subsequent starts. 

He had plenty of rides over the next two and a half years and racked up another eleven victories, including three on the hurdler Conscription and a double at Market Rasen. 

His last win was at Market Rasen on May 3, 1986, when Electrified took the lead at the last flight and held off Cheeky Rupert by two lengths to land the Bob Carratt Long Distance Novices’ Hurdle. He continued to ride for at least one more season but had no further success.  

Paul Blackburn’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Jimmypick, Southwell, October 27, 1983

2. Royal Don, Southwell, November 22, 1983

3. Mountaineer, Southwell, November 28, 1983

4. Odic, Nottingham, December 5, 1983

5. Odic, Market Rasen, April 7, 1984

6. Sea Reppin, Catterick Bridge, November 24, 1984

7. Conscription, Nottingham, December 22, 1984

8. Roseman, Market Rasen, May 4, 1985

9. Conscription, Market Rasen, May 4, 1985

10. Mr Steadfast, Market Rasen, August 24, 1985

11. Conscription, Market Rasen, December 26, 1985

12. Electrified, Market Rasen, May 3, 1986