Phil Rogers
Phil Rogers
Phil Rogers was typical of the ‘backroom boys’ who are vital to oil racing’s wheels. He had a few rides during the five seasons he held a licence, finished second twice but never rode a winner, yet it was on his type that the industry revolves.
Phil Rogers was typical of the ‘backroom boys’ who are vital to oil racing’s wheels. He had a few rides during the five seasons he held a licence, finished second twice but never rode a winner, yet it was on his type that the industry revolves.
Born on 7 July 1946, he left school in 1960 and tried his hand at a number of jobs. One day he spotted an advert for a stable lad at a yard not far from his home, that of Shropshire trainer Arthur Jones, famous for sending out Merry Deal to spring a 28-1 shock victory in the 1957 Champion Hurdle.
Born on 7 July 1946, he left school in 1960 and tried his hand at a number of jobs. One day he spotted an advert for a stable lad at a yard not far from his home, that of Shropshire trainer Arthur Jones, famous for sending out Merry Deal to spring a 28-1 shock victory in the 1957 Champion Hurdle.
Phil applied and got the job despite having never ridden a horse in his life. He started in August 1962 and never looked back, working hard on the farm and stables.
Phil applied and got the job despite having never ridden a horse in his life. He started in August 1962 and never looked back, working hard on the farm and stables.
Subsequent to his Champion Hurdle triumph, Merry Deal had won Manchester’s Victory Hurdle on New Year’s Eve 1959 and the Spa Hurdle (known today as the Stayers’ Hurdle) at the 1962 Cheltenham Festival, ridden on both occasions by Ivor Markham.
Subsequent to his Champion Hurdle triumph, Merry Deal had won Manchester’s Victory Hurdle on New Year’s Eve 1959 and the Spa Hurdle (known today as the Stayers’ Hurdle) at the 1962 Cheltenham Festival, ridden on both occasions by Ivor Markham.
Merry Deal was 15 years old by the time Phil made his race-riding debut on him at Uttoxeter on Whit Monday, 7 June 1965 in the Kingstone Handicap Hurdle. They were last of four finishers that day but were reunited at Stratford just five days later and came second, beaten five lengths by the odds-on favourite Windydell, trained by Arthur Stephenson and the mount of leading amateur Chris Collins.
Merry Deal was 15 years old by the time Phil made his race-riding debut on him at Uttoxeter on Whit Monday, 7 June 1965 in the Kingstone Handicap Hurdle. They were last of four finishers that day but were reunited at Stratford just five days later and came second, beaten five lengths by the odds-on favourite Windydell, trained by Arthur Stephenson and the mount of leading amateur Chris Collins.
Phil had the occasional ride over the next three seasons, including when finishing fourth on the useful Silver Line in the valuable ‘Black and White’ Hurdle at Ascot in November 1965. The nearest he came to riding a winner was on 12 October 1966 when finishing second, beaten two lengths, on High Treaty, having led over the last flight in the Nailsworth Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race for novice riders. The winning jockey that day was Ron Boss, later to become a successful classic-winning Newmarket trainer.
Phil had the occasional ride over the next three seasons, including when finishing fourth on the useful Silver Line in the valuable ‘Black and White’ Hurdle at Ascot in November 1965. The nearest he came to riding a winner was on 12 October 1966 when finishing second, beaten two lengths, on High Treaty, having led over the last flight in the Nailsworth Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race for novice riders. The winning jockey that day was Ron Boss, later to become a successful classic-winning Newmarket trainer.
He had a forgettable experience when Costa Clyde ran out in a 32-runner selling hurdle at Doncaster in December 1966. He then had two more comfortable rides on novice hurdler Drive On Joe at Wetherby and Leicester.
He had a forgettable experience when Costa Clyde ran out in a 32-runner selling hurdle at Doncaster in December 1966. He then had two more comfortable rides on novice hurdler Drive On Joe at Wetherby and Leicester.
He did not hold a licence in the 1967/68 or 68/69 seasons but returned in November 1969 when finishing fifth on handicap hurdler Miss Kilmansegg at Windsor. Two more unplaced rides on her followed, both at Wolverhampton. He rode Anglers Club five times during the 69/70 and 70/71 campaign, finishing fourth once.
He did not hold a licence in the 1967/68 or 68/69 seasons but returned in November 1969 when finishing fifth on handicap hurdler Miss Kilmansegg at Windsor. Two more unplaced rides on her followed, both at Wolverhampton. He rode Anglers Club five times during the 69/70 and 70/71 campaign, finishing fourth once.
Arguably the best horse he rode was Take Cover, finishing a close fourth on him in Haydock’s Dean Dam Four-Year-Old Hurdle, then fifth in the valuable Stroud Green Hurdle at Newbury in February 1971. Next time out, ridden by John Cook, Take Cover was runner-up to Boxer in the Triumph Hurdle.
Arguably the best horse he rode was Take Cover, finishing a close fourth on him in Haydock’s Dean Dam Four-Year-Old Hurdle, then fifth in the valuable Stroud Green Hurdle at Newbury in February 1971. Next time out, ridden by John Cook, Take Cover was runner-up to Boxer in the Triumph Hurdle.
Phil worked at Arthur Jones’ Pentredavid stables, near Oswestry, combining roles as stable lad cum jockey cum horsebox driver over the years. He met his wife Diana whilst working there.
Phil worked at Arthur Jones’ Pentredavid stables, near Oswestry, combining roles as stable lad cum jockey cum horsebox driver over the years. He met his wife Diana whilst working there.
He had what appears to have been his final mount when unplaced on Jackie Little in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on 13 April 1971. Having been left in the lead at the first hurdle, they led to the seventh but weakened on the run-in and eventually finished unplaced.
He had what appears to have been his final mount when unplaced on Jackie Little in a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter on 13 April 1971. Having been left in the lead at the first hurdle, they led to the seventh but weakened on the run-in and eventually finished unplaced.
Phil left racing soon after and had a few jobs before going to college and training as a social worker in 1984. In 1992 he worked at Bangor-on-Dee as a fence attendant on race days. He also helped out at Chester for a short time, again on race days. He retired in 2006.
Phil left racing soon after and had a few jobs before going to college and training as a social worker in 1984. In 1992 he worked at Bangor-on-Dee as a fence attendant on race days. He also helped out at Chester for a short time, again on race days. He retired in 2006.
His son, Andy, set up a syndicate consisting of friends family and workmates. They had their horses with Tony Carroll. From 2002 until March 2023 they had 22 winners and lots of places. They subsequently sold the syndicate to one of its members.
His son, Andy, set up a syndicate consisting of friends family and workmates. They had their horses with Tony Carroll. From 2002 until March 2023 they had 22 winners and lots of places. They subsequently sold the syndicate to one of its members.
Phil Rogers’ race rides included:
Phil Rogers’ race rides included:
Merry Deal, Uttoxeter, 7 June 1965, 4th
Merry Deal, Uttoxeter, 7 June 1965, 4th
Merry Deal, Stratford, 12 June 1965, 2nd
Merry Deal, Stratford, 12 June 1965, 2nd
Court Circles, Cheltenham, 12 November 1965, last of nine
Court Circles, Cheltenham, 12 November 1965, last of nine
Silver Line, Ascot, 20 November 1965, 4th
Silver Line, Ascot, 20 November 1965, 4th
Mavala, Uttoxeter, 30 May 1966, 6th
Mavala, Uttoxeter, 30 May 1966, 6th
High Treaty, Cheltenham, 12 October 1966, 2nd
High Treaty, Cheltenham, 12 October 1966, 2nd
Costa Clyde, Doncaster, 7 December 1966, ran out
Costa Clyde, Doncaster, 7 December 1966, ran out
Drive On Joe, Wetherby, 27 December 1966, unplaced
Drive On Joe, Wetherby, 27 December 1966, unplaced
Drive On Joe, Leicester, 14 January 1967, 9th of 21
Drive On Joe, Leicester, 14 January 1967, 9th of 21
Miss Kilmansegg, Windsor, 15 November 1969, 5th
Miss Kilmansegg, Windsor, 15 November 1969, 5th
Miss Kilmansegg, Wolverhampton, 26 December 1969, unplaced
Miss Kilmansegg, Wolverhampton, 26 December 1969, unplaced
Miss Kilmansegg, Wolverhampton, 13 January 1970, unplaced
Miss Kilmansegg, Wolverhampton, 13 January 1970, unplaced
Anglers Club, Newcastle, 21 March 1970, unplaced
Anglers Club, Newcastle, 21 March 1970, unplaced
Anglers Club, Bangor-on-Dee, 10 April 1970, unplaced
Anglers Club, Bangor-on-Dee, 10 April 1970, unplaced
Jackie Little, Uttoxeter, 10 October 1970, 6th
Jackie Little, Uttoxeter, 10 October 1970, 6th
Beat The Ace, Worcester, 7 November 1970, pulled up 2 out
Beat The Ace, Worcester, 7 November 1970, pulled up 2 out
Anglers Club, Worcester, 7 November 1970, unplaced
Anglers Club, Worcester, 7 November 1970, unplaced
Anglers Club, Market Rasen, 13 November 1970, 8th of 19
Anglers Club, Market Rasen, 13 November 1970, 8th of 19
Anglers Club, Wetherby, 1 December 1970, 4th of 20
Anglers Club, Wetherby, 1 December 1970, 4th of 20
Take Cover, Haydock Park, 3 February 1971, 4th
Take Cover, Haydock Park, 3 February 1971, 4th
Take Cover, Newbury, 12 February 1981, 5th
Take Cover, Newbury, 12 February 1981, 5th
Jackie Little, Uttoxeter, 13 April 1971, unplaced
Jackie Little, Uttoxeter, 13 April 1971, unplaced
