Jim Pike (1892-1969) was a renowned jockey who rode in Australia and England between 1904 and 1936. Jim Pike is best known for his achievements with the renowned racehorses Phar Lap and Peter Pan - two of the greatest thoroughbreds to ever grace the turf. The son of a butcher, later turned racecourse attendant Charles Pike and Jane Isabella Liddle, Jim Pike was born 4 September 1892 in Newcastle, New South Wales. Often truant from school to ride horses as a youngster, Jim Pike joined Ernie Connors's stable and had his first ride when only 12 years old. Diminutive, and extremely light for his age, Jim Pike was twice banned for being below minimum jockey age.

He joined Sydney trainer William Kelso in 1906. Pike won his first race in July of that year and won over 40 more times by early 1908. Kelso accompanied Jim Pike to England but their endeavour yielded modest results, resulting in only two victories. Back in Australia in 1909, Pike had his first significant win in the Australian Cup, where he piloted a thoroughbred by the name of Pendil. His next big win was the following year in the Victoria Derby aboard Beverage at Flemington Racecourse. Jim Pike then took a lengthy hiatus from racing that saw him absent from the sport until the end of World War I. He was married 19th July 1922 to Barbara Daphne Hume at Randwick. The mid-1920s saw Pike back in the stirrups where he steered thoroughbred Hawk to 14 victories. He had multiple Group 1 winners in 1928 and 1929 aboard Strephon in the AJC St. Leger Stakes, the VRC St. Leger Stakes as well as the 1928 Victoria Derby. Pike also won the Epsom Handicap in 1932 and 1933 courtesy of the brilliant little Chatham and followed that in 1934 with the Doncaster Handicap, where he overcame a heavy track, a burdensome weight and a poor jump.

Certainly, other mounts showcased his prowess, but it was in the late 1920s that Jim Pike embarked on a fortuitous partnership with the legendary Phar Lap. This strategic partnership resulted in an impressive 27 wins out of 30 initial engagements, an astounding record for any jockey. The assassination attempt on "Big Red" was not well-organised and poorly thought out by the gang wanting to stop him racing. A professional assassin should be able to successfully target an animal of Phar Lap's size. There is a low probability that Jim Pike was in any significant danger, but following a period of concealment, the two individuals surfaced in the afternoon to claim victory in the Melbourne Stakes and subsequently secured another triumph three days later in the Melbourne Cup. The team parted ways when Jim Pike refused to ride Phar Lap in the North American Aqua Caliente. The outcome of that incident was a tragic end to the horses life.

Pike was ultimately selected to ride another renowned thoroughbred, Peter Pan. It is a rare privilege for jockeys to have the opportunity to ride a horse of such exceptional calibre as Phar Lap let alone multiple horses of this stature. Pike also took rides aboard Amounis and Ajax sire Heroic. Jim Pike demonstrated proficiency in managing the frequently unpredictable nature of Peter Pan, resulting in numerous shared victories, including the prestigious AJC Derby and St. Leger Stakes. However, Pike was unfortunately unable to participate in Peter Pan's triumph at the 1934 Melbourne Cup due to a suspension. He was renowned for his exceptional tactical riding skills, effectively utilising his ability to evoke maximum effort from his horses. He possessed a profound understanding of pace, demonstrating expertise in determining when to conserve energy and when to demand greater exertion from a thoroughbred.

After 32 years in the saddle, Jim Pike, due to battles with his weight and those imposed by race stewards, retired in April of 1936. He notched over 129 principal wins, including nine Rosehill Spring Handicaps. Seventeen years worth of effort, however, produced just the one win and one third place in the premier race, the Melbourne Cup. Jim Pike tried his hand at training, but achieved nothing to compare with his success as a hoop. He did find a comfortable niche as a mentor to apprentice jockeys. Years of association with horse racing and its attendant wagering may have contributed to his becoming something of a compulsive gambler. From his share of winnings Pike became a very wealthy man, but a gambling habit left him broke only six months after retirement in April 1936. He was finally rescued from the tiny flat in a huge apartment block he once owned at Bondi by Sydney trainer, the late Jack Green, who gave him a job and restored his self respect. Fond of golf, cards and punting, Jim Pike sadly died impoverished on 7th of October 1969 at the age of 77 - but no one could take away his lasting legacy. A wife, a son and a daughter survived him. Jim Pike's ability as a jockey was so great that to this day, racing experts are heard to comment regarding a good ride by a jockey: "He rode it like J. Pike."

The immortal Jim Pike will always be associated with his deeds on Phar Lap and Peter Pan