New Issue: Trevor Hemmings (Isle of Man)

The Isle of Man's latest issue was released today and celebrates Trevor Hemmings, a respected racehorse owner and Isle of Man resident. The WOPA website has a lot to say about Trevor Hemmings, who died in 2021. "Trevor was a highly successful businessman who went on to become one of the most recognised figures in horse racing, with his racing colours becoming synonymous with some of the most renowned horses and jockeys in British and Irish horse racing.

"This collection features remarkable imagery by Grossick Photography, complemented by insightful and endearing text from Kathryn Revitt, a Trustee of the Hemmings Family Trust. It captures the warmth and spirit of a man whose dedication to racing was a true inspiration to many. The stamps are released in support of The Injured Jockey’s Fund.

"Trevor’s place among racing’s elite was secured when he became the first owner to achieve three Grand National wins with three different horses, ensuring that both his name and his famous green, white and yellow silks will be forever synonymous with Aintree, home of the Grand National.

"He initially became involved with horse racing while working for Sir Fred Pontin, whose horse Specify won the Grand National in 1971. Sir Fred would often joke that he would leave Trevor his trophy when he died. As it turned out, Sir Fred held true to his promise, but this only fired up Trevor’s ambition to win the famous race with one of his own horses.

"That dream became reality when in 2005, Hedgehunter was victorious under Ruby Walsh. Ballabriggs triumphed in 2011 when ridden by Jason Maguire and this was followed by the historic third Grand National win in 2015 when Many Clouds won with Leighton Aspell aboard.

"The Hemmings silks have also been carried to great success at the Cheltenham Festival, at which 12 wins have been recorded, and other major staying chases have been landed, including the Hennessy Gold Cup, Scottish Grand National, and the Midlands Grand National.

"Outside of racing, Trevor Hemmings was a keen supporter of other forms of equestrianism. At the London Olympics in 2012 Zara Tindall rode his horse High Kingdom, winning a silver medal as part of the British eventing team. One of Trevor’s proudest moments."

Isle of Man Stamps & Coins General Manager, Maxine Cannon, said: "On behalf of Isle of Man Post Office, it is an honour to celebrate the life of Trevor Hemmings CVO with this landmark stamp issue. Trevor’s achievements in horse racing were extraordinary, driven by a love for the sport and enormous respect for everyone involved. This issue reflects those values and proudly supports the Injured Jockeys Fund, a cause close to racing’s heart. We are very grateful to The Jockey Club, Grossick Photography, Kathryn Revitt and the Hemmings family for their generous support and assistance in bringing this tribute together."

As part of this stamp collection, well-known figures from the world of horse racing, equestrianism and broadcasting have offered their personal memories of Trevor Hemmings.

Clare Balding, Broadcaster: "Trevor loved his horses. That shone through more than anything in the way he cared for them after they retired. Winning the Grand National was always a dream for him and to do it with three different horses was the ultimate achievement. He would always wear his cloth cap even under a top hat at Royal Ascot and he never forgot his roots as a working-class lad from Lancashire. He gave back so much to the community and to families who needed help and he had the kindest heart. Trevor was also an extraordinary businessman, a believer in the integrity of sporting competition, and an absolute diamond."

Sir AP McCoy, former Champion Jockey & President of The Injured Jockeys Fund: "I was so lucky to get to know him, spend time with him, and ride a lot of his horses throughout most of my career. Most notably, Alberta's Run, who I won 10 races, including 3 times at the Cheltenham Festival. Trevor was like all of us. He loved winning, and by God he won a lot, which he thoroughly deserved. He was a great supporter of horse racing, but he was also a very kind and generous man.

"I am President of the Injured Jockeys Fund, and I know personally what a huge contributor he had been for many years to our charity, especially when we were building one of our rehabilitation centres, Jack Berry house, which wouldn’t exist without Trevor's generosity. Lastly, I would say his greatest gift was the most charming way he had of making you feel at ease."

Willie Mullins, Champion Trainer in Ireland and England: "Trevor had a deep and genuine love for racing, and he always believed in his horses. Hedgehunter’s Grand National victory meant a great deal to him, and seeing that belief rewarded on such a famous day was something very special. Trevor was proud of the sport and of those involved in it, and it was a privilege to have shared that moment with him. It is a memory that has stayed with us all."

Dickon White, Regional Director North West at The Jockey Club: "It has been a privilege to support Isle of Man Post Office on this very special project honouring Trevor Hemmings. Trevor was not only a remarkable man, but someone whose achievements and values left a lasting mark on the sport. His unique place in Grand National history, winning the race three times with three different horses, is extraordinary, and yet it was his love of racing and respect for everyone involved that truly defined him.

"This stamp collection is a fitting tribute to a proud Island resident and a great racing man, and we are honoured to have played a very small part in celebrating his remarkable legacy."

There are six stamps in the set and they show: 93p - Hedgehunter (Grand National, 2005) £1.08 - Alberta's Run (Aintree, 2011) £1.08 - Many Clouds (Grand National, 2015) £1.65 - Cloth Cap (Kelso, 2021) £3.62 - Ballabriggs (Grand National, 2011) £4.61 - Vintage Clouds (Haydock, 2020)

Design Quality - I think these are great looking stamps. The action shots of the horses jumping are exciting and make the stamps feel alive. I like how Trevor Hemmings is shown in the bottom corner in green—it’s a nice way to include him without taking attention away from the racing. The colours are bright (with a lot of green and yellow) and everything is easy to see. The design is strong and the stamps them feel well put together. 8/10

Theme / Subject Choice - As is often the case with Isle of Man stamps, they're celebrating someone from the Isle of Man. This gives them a local feeling. But at the same time, if you don’t know who he is or don’t follow horse racing, it might not feel interesting. Trevor Hemmings was an important figure in horseracing but, apart from the fact he lived in the Isle of Man, none of the horses or events shown have that local connection to an island that doesn't have a racecourse. 7/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - Trevor Hemmings was clearly an important person in horseracing, so these stamps have historical relevance to the sport. There’s definitely a connection to the Isle of Man, but it feels like the main importance is more about the racing world than the island itself. 7/10

Innovation and Creativity - The designs are good as I've already mentioned, but they don’t feel particularly different or creative. While it's an effective design, it's pretty much the same thing in each stamps - perhaps it would have been good to have had six different photographs of Trevor in the corner instead of repeating the same one. So while I think these are well-designed, there's not really the wow factor. 6/10

Collectability - If you love horseracing you're probably going to want to buy these, especially since they show famous races and horses. 8/10

Personal appeal - I’m not really into horseracing, but I can still tell these are a good tribute. The stamps are clear and respectful, while also having a strong design. It's another good issue from the Isle of Man! 7/10 Overall score - 43/60