Banner, Mark

Mark Anthony Banner was born on October 3, 1957, and lived at 15 Park Cottages, Park Lane, Newmarket.

Riding King Midas, Mark made his racecourse debut at Ascot on Saturday 22 June, 1974 (below)

He was retained by Bill O'Gorman and rode 7 winners in 1981, his best season.

Mark nominated Dubian as the best horse ridden.

His first winner came at Ripon on 28 June 1978 on Mary Reppin.

Mark, who later became apprenticed to Robert Armstrong, is the son of Roy Banner, who was travelling head lad to both Robert and his father, Sam, until his retirement.

Mark escaped serious injury on Saturday August 6, 1983, when his mount, Rusticated, fell a furlong and a half from home in Newmarket's Kiwi Stakes.

Rusticated, who was racing for the first time, cannoned into Bossy Boots, who also somersaulted to the ground.

Mark raced for the last time when finishing unplaced aboard Alex Stewart's Ktolo at Newmarket on Wednesday, April 19, 1989.

Away from racing, Mark enjoyed squash and football.