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Master Pokey was purchased as a yearling for just £600. He was sold to Lord Belper who reluctantly purchased him after questioning how a horse costing £600 could be any good.
He made his debut at his owner's local track, Nottingham, in April 1986, finishing unplaced. However, his second race proved to be dramatic as he won at Pontefract. During the race his jockey, Mark Birch, lost his whip and borrowed a whip from Tony Ives whose horse was beaten at the time.
He would run up a hat-trick of wins at two, following up at Thirsk and Doncaster.
At the age of four Master Pokey was a winner at Newmarket, and the following season won twice in the space of ten days by taking races at York and then Newmarket, both times partnered by Michael Roberts.
In 1990 Pokey won at Doncaster, Ayr and Nottingham but would fail to win in 1991 or 1992.
His final victory came at Carlisle in June 1993 off a lowly handicap mark of 55, and after a year off the track he ran his final race when tailed off.
Master Pokey was retired in 1994 having won ten times in his nine seasons on the track.
Thank you to Christine Frampton for the photos and press cuttings.
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