He is Norfolk’s answer to Red Rum, and now a new book will tell the story of a racecourse’s legendary horse.
The book about Cool Roxy, who broke the record of having most wins at Fakenham Racecourse, and his trainer Alan Blackmore is being launched at the course’s next meeting on Sunday, January 21.
The book, titled The Fakenham Favourite – The Story of Cool Roxy & The Blackmores, has been written by Aaron Gransby, a journalist and author who has known the Blackmore family for almost 20 years.
“Cool Roxy was a phenomenon,” Mr Gransby said.
“Small for a racehorse, he ran for a decade in the black and red Dennis the Menace hooped colours of Alan and Pat Blackmore, who were in their late 70s and 80s when their little horse was in his pomp.
“He became a cult hero at Fakenham, where he won 11 times over hurdles and fences, breaking the record for the most wins at the track.
“The Blackmores, who only ever had two or three horses in training at a time at their tiny Hertfordshire yard, experienced both triumph and genuine tragedy in their 40 years in the sport.”
The book tells the story of Mr Blackmore beginning training in the late 1970s with just a handful of horses at his yard down a quiet lane in Hertfordshire.
In his time, he helped launch the careers of many talented jockeys, including Richard Dunwoody, and along with his wife, will always be associated with the name of Cool Roxy – the pocket-sized hurdler and chaser who made Fakenham racecourse his domain – and Roxy’s jockey, Chris Honour, who rode him in 70 races.
David Hunter, chief executive and clerk of the course, said: “The book is fantastic, and I found it very touching. Fakenham Racecourse has a close link to Alan and Pat and Cool Roxy, who has a place in a lot of people's hearts here because of his record, which I believe will never be superseded.
"A great little horse and that is shown by the affection we have shown to him in the past, such as the bar being named Cool Roxy, and the least we could do is have this book launch here."
The book costs £14.99. At its launch, Alan Blackmore and Aaron Gransby will be signing copies. Orders can also be made via www.aarongransby.com.
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