Jim Pike (jockey) explained

Jim Pike
Birth Name:James Edward Pike
Nickname:The Master
Nationality:Australian
Birth Date:4 September 1892
Birth Place:Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Death Place:Bondi, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation:Jockey

James Edward Pike (4 September 1892 − 7 October 1969), also nicknamed "The Master", was an Australian jockey who was known for riding Phar Lap to victory in the 1930 Melbourne Cup.[1]

Pike was born on 4 September 1892 in Newcastle, New South Wales, eldest child of Charles Pike and Jane Isabella Liddell. He started his career as a jockey in 1907. He went to England the following year and competed in 17 races, winning 2 and 5 placings. Returning to Australia he won his first major race at 18 in the Victoria Derby in 1910 with Beverage.

Pike died in poverty on 7 October 1969, aged 77, at his home in Bondi.[2]

In 2002, Pike was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.[3]

Jim Pike is the great-great-grandfather of Western Australian champion jockey, William Pike. [4]

Popular culture

In the 1983 feature film Phar Lap, Pike was played by Australian actor James Steele.[5]

Honours

In 2002, Pike was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Horse Directory Australia - Racing History - Jockey Profiles - James Pike. www.horsedirectory.com.au.
  2. Book: Molony, John N.. Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  3. Web site: Jockey Jim Pike . www.racingvictoria.com.au . 30 July 2022.
  4. Web site: Champion hoop’s humble start to riding career. 3 October 2023. Kalgoorlie Miner.
  5. Web site: Phar Lap. 13 April 1984. IMDb.
  6. https://web.archive.org/web/20110424212137/http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/themes/2119/jim-pike-jockey-1892-1969 Jim Pike