He is the jockey with the second most wins in the history of the Doncaster classic, joint with Lester Piggott and behind only John Scott.

Later he was associated with the successful Middleham trainer John Mangle, riding at a weight of 7 stone, 7 pounds.

Described as a true distance horse, with a huge stride, "requiring a half-mile to settle it",[3] Blacklock was a strong fancy for the race.

Sykes instructed Jackson to "ride him as thou lik'st, only lay thee hands down, and let him stride along, and he'll distance the lot".

[4] On retiring, he first bought the Racecourse Farm at Allerton, then became landlord of the Black Swan Inn in the town.