THIS IS FINDON - Joe Blanks

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — these Findon Chronicles were created by Valerie Martin and contain scenes from her home village of Findon,
West Sussex, U.K. Everyday stories about real people.

JOE BLANKS

Findon sits in a narrow valley in the heart of the downland and contains many Listed Buildings and a racing stable with stories of bygone racing days.

The nearby Brighton racecourse came in for some flak in July 2003. Eleven times Champion Jockey, Pat Eddery, claimed in a national newspaper that the course was a danger and should be closed and he would not be riding there again.

He was reported as saying.....

"It's a very dangerous track. There's a steep downhill and two bad roads. I hate the place."

This scenario reminded me of Findon-based, Joe Blanks. Joe rode his first winner on Charter Belle at Folkestone in May 1977 and had a bright future. He was apprenticed to the late Captain Ryan Price at Findon (where Con Horgan, a present day trainer at Pulborough), was assistant trainer.

The fateful day was 8th July 1981 when Joe was aged 24. He hit the headlines on the racing pages. His mount Sleigh Queen clipped the heels of another runner and fell during the six furlong Rock Gardens Maiden Stakes at Brighton. He was thrown to the ground and rushed unconscious to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. He died just eight days later.

1st August 2004

Dear Valerie,

Joe Blanks

Joe was my brother. Much, much loved. I don't know what led me to key his name into Google today and find your website but my heart lifted with a mixture of joy and sadness when I read your comments. I was 18 when he died and I remember the events of that tragic day so well.

Thank you for remembering him. He was a fantastic brother and a special person who is very much missed still today.

Julie Sparks (nee Blanks)

5th March 2005

Joe Blanks

I joined the yard in 1980 if my memory serves me correct.

I do remember Joe, I remember his big wide smile.

I had not been at the yard for long and I was talking to Joe in the tack room, which was next to a stallion's stable called Veringo, always remember his name. Joe had with him a very tiny saddle. I didn't realise at the time that it was called a "pound dock", I think that is correct. I actually thought it was a ornament or even a souvenir.

Paul Egan.

At the end of November 2011, Graham Thompson (Tom the Peeper), emailed...."Hi Valerie.....I'm not sure if you still update the Findon site but I'd like to add my memories of Joe.

I worked in Epsom & can count Joe as a good friend of mine. I can remember a most hairy car journey from Epsom to the Eclipse night club in Coulsden with Joe driving. They were happy carefree days.

Myself, "Nipper" & Steve Cottle all made the journey from Epsom to see Joe when he was in hospital we travelled by train with no money & got caught by the rail police, I'm sure that would have had Joe laughing!

His funeral was one of the hardest things I have ever been through.

I still think of Joe, he was one of the nicest people I have ever met.

RIP Joe

Tom the Peeper".

I told Graham I was still updating the website..... for my sins. He replied...

It's a great site bringing back a few memories. Nobody could make a swear word sound so good as Captain Price!"

Continue if you would like to read about The Horses of Frank H. Pullen.

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THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created exclusively for documenting life in Findon.

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Do let me know of anything you hear about Findon - not too controversial. Please note that opinions expressed in the Findon Chronicles are not necessarily reflective of my own thoughts.... but sometimes they are!