Mercer, Joe

Bradford-born Joe Mercer, son of a coach painter, was born on 25th October 1934 and was the younger brother of the mercurial though ill-fated Manny. So well had Manny Mercer performed at George Colling's Newmarket stable that Major Fred Sneyd, who had trained the brothers Eph and Doug Smith, wrote to Joe's father asking “Are there any more at home like him?” Joe jumped at the chance, packing his bags for Sparsholt.

Sneyd paid Joe half-a-crown week. For that, Joe was expected to work from 6 a.m. till 11 p.m. As well as riding out and working in the yard he was expected to help out around the house, work in the kitchen and wait at tables. He had to feed the dogs and cats, too. Three years later he was still picking up just two and six a week less sixpence for each time he fell off a horse.

Everything changed with the Oaks of 1953.

Joe was put up on Ambiguity. Entering the Epsom straight, he was tenth of the twenty-one runners. Then the apprentice made his move. Joe delivered a perfectly timed challenge to beat the Aga Khan's Kerbed. Manny finished fourth on Happy Laughter.

Joe was immediately offered a retainer by Jack Colling, a charming man who had just moved from Newmarket to West Ilsley. Joe was to remain with him until 1962 when Jack retired. Joe signed up again with his successor, Dick Hern.

Every professional horseman suffers the occasional injury and, in 1958, Joe broke his neck riding in Singapore. Another year, he broke his arm and lost the chance to ride all five classic winners in Bombay.

Joe's near-fatal accident in June 1972 was uncannily similar to that experienced by Frankie Dettori, also in June (2000). The light aircraft he was travelling in crashed during the take off at Newbury. With complete disregard for himself, Joe dragged his fellow passengers out of danger. Dettori, years later, was dragged to safety by fellow jockey Ray Cochrane after his plane had crashed at Newmarket. The pilot in each crash was killed.

There were fears after that Joe would not be fit enough to partner Brigadier Gerard in Royal Ascot's Prince of Wales' Stakes. Joe confounded that thinking when the Brigadier colt flew home in record time.

In February 1959, pipe-smoker Joe married Anne, daughter of the Royal Jockey, Harry Carr. Anne was a talented horsewoman in her own right who had won over fifty firsts and more than two hundred rosettes in the show-ring. Joe and Anne set up home in an attractive property just outside Newbury, overlooking the River Kennett. Joe named the house Hornbeam after what he considered to be the best horse he'd ever ridden. This, of course, was before the days of Brigadier Gerard.

Named after a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle hero, the Brigadier had won its four races as a two-year-old and hopes were high but not unrealistic for the following season's classics. It was taken as read that the Brigadier would not beat either Mill Reef or My Swallow in the first classic, the Two Thousand Guineas. This pair were considered to be so far in front of their rivals that the Guineas field of 1971 was the smallest since the mighty Ormonde won for the Duke of Westminster in 1886. It didn't work out that way. Frankie Durr tried to make all the running on My Swallow but Joe sent Brigadier Gerard on at the Bushes and won going away. Mill Reef, never able to match strides, was beaten three lengths at the post.

Another great day lay in store for the stable in June 1974 when the Queen, deciding that her long-striding filly Highclere would not be suited by Epsom's sharp circuit, directed that she be sent  to Chantilly and try the French Oaks instead. Joe rode an inspirational race. The field went a good gallop from the start and when, two furlongs out, Hippoamia drifted away from the rails, Joe seized his opportunity and shot through the gap on the blinkered royal runner. Highclere won by two lengths and, flying back from France, Dick Hern and Joe received a radio message inviting them to dinner with the Royal Family at Windsor.

After 25 years with Dick Hern, Joe was succeeded by Willie Carson at the end of 1976.

It was then that Henry Cecil was looking for a first jockey and, signing up Joe, the partnership flourished. Their first classic win came with One In A Million in the One Thousand Guineas, but his greatest achievement came aged 45 in 1979 when he was crowned Champion Jockey.

He had come a long way from his days of half-a-crown a week!

Joe Mercer rode for the last time on Saturday November 9th 1985. His mount Bold Rex won the November Handicap at 20/1, giving Joe a career total of 2,810 winners.