The Dikler groom and Fulke Walwyn stalwart Raymond Deacon dies at the age of 90

Raymond 'Darkie' Deacon, who looked after 1973 Gold Cup hero The Dikler and was the legendary Fulke Walwyn's head lad, has died at the age of 90.

Originally from Swindon, Deacon – known universally as Darkie because of his jet-black hair – moved to Lambourn in 1944 and rode on the Flat for Ossie Bell, Fred Rimell's father Tom and the colourful Sandy Carlos Clarke before his National Service.

A spell with Charlie Pratt followed, before in 1959 he joined the all-conquering Walwyn - a five-time champion trainer – for a period when Lambourn was the undisputed centre of British jump racing.

Walwyn died in 1991. He was succeeded by his wife Cath and when she retired Deacon, who was also closely associated with 1972 Hennessy winner Charlie Potheen and rode out until the age of 78, worked for a then-emerging Charlie Mann, where he came across a young Noel Fehily, whom he helped mentor, Dave Crosse and then Gavin Sheehan.

Darkie Deacon: Irish Imp was the late head lad's favourite horseCredit: Matthew Webb

Fehily, the Champion Hurdle and King George VI Chase-winning jockey who retired this year, said: "He was just a wonderful man and probably forgot more about horses than any of us will ever know. If ever there was a problem with a horse Darkie was the person everyone turned to. He was second to none with legs – better than any vet.

"He used to ride out every day and rode Celibate all the time and Moral Support. He also rode a horse called Siren Song, who was Ruby Walsh's first winner.

"Charlie Mann then bought him and Darkie was on him every day. I rode my first winner over hurdles on him, but before that Charlie told me I was riding him one morning.

"I thought he would be easy because the old man was on him every day, but he clean ran away with me up the back of the hill. I couldn't hold one side of him yet Darkie used to make him look like a bus every morning!

"He was a great horseman who dealt with some brilliant horses and was a massive influence on my career."

Deacon's favourite horse was Irish Imp, who won the Imperial Cup in 1962 for Ron Smyth before joining the Walwyn outfit and being deemed unlucky not to win a Champion Chase, while a year later Some Alibi captured the Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The prolific US import Exhibit A, one-time King George fancy Fort Devon, Gaffer, another talented staying chaser, and Kilbrittain Castle were other leading lights he cared for.

The Dikler and Barry Brogan in action in the 1972 Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Gerry Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Deacon's son Nick, a former Sporting Life journalist who has also contributed to the Racing Post, said: "He looked after a runner in the Gold Cup every year of the 1970s, bar one.

"They included The Dikler, who achieved the most of the horses he did, and Charlie Potheen, who won the Hennessy. Both were tearaways – desperate, uncontrollable – but the old man rode them first and second lot!

"The secret to his riding was he had great hands – he could hold anything. The Dikler was a beast and if he didn't bite you, he'd kick you, but the only day he got Dad was on Gold Cup day, when he couldn't lead him in from the course because he'd got a bang on the thigh! That day was the highlight for him though.

"He was a guiding light to me and I wouldn't have been much without him. He knew his stuff, was brilliant with legs and would help anybody. He watched racing right to the end and loved following the Charlie Mann proteges, Noel, Crossey and Gavin."

Deacon was honoured for his contribution to the sport at the Pride of Racing Awards in 2005. Funeral arrangements have yet to be finalised.

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