Micky Fenton
Michael (Micky) Fenton was born on January 18, 1972.
Michael (Micky) Fenton was born on January 18, 1972.
With a below average strike rate of 7.3% and a losing run of 88 suffered in July 2007. Micky Fenton could not be counted as one of the most profitable jockeys to follow.
With a below average strike rate of 7.3% and a losing run of 88 suffered in July 2007. Micky Fenton could not be counted as one of the most profitable jockeys to follow.
His biggest priced winner came on Vettorius who won at 66/1 in August 2005.
His biggest priced winner came on Vettorius who won at 66/1 in August 2005.
Yet he retained an optimistic outlook on life which helped this journeyman jockey through the darker side of his profession.
Yet he retained an optimistic outlook on life which helped this journeyman jockey through the darker side of his profession.
"You really have to take the positives from everything," he said once. "It's a hard life, but if you start moaning about it, you're in trouble. There are days when you'll go for one ride and lose money just to keep the ride on one horse and maybe pick up another few to go with it on another day. That's the only way to look at it.
"You really have to take the positives from everything," he said once. "It's a hard life, but if you start moaning about it, you're in trouble. There are days when you'll go for one ride and lose money just to keep the ride on one horse and maybe pick up another few to go with it on another day. That's the only way to look at it.
"You can sit there and complain about prize money, and it can be so bad that a lot of the time you might just as well have one more ride as have a winner, but prize money is what it is and you just have to try to get your share.
"You can sit there and complain about prize money, and it can be so bad that a lot of the time you might just as well have one more ride as have a winner, but prize money is what it is and you just have to try to get your share.
"You can grumble about the travelling, but you've just got to learn not to try to do stupid things like getting to evening meetings that are just too far away. The nine-meetings-a-week rule doesn't affect me too much, but I wouldn't mind if it did affect me, because it would mean I'd be getting a lot more rides."
"You can grumble about the travelling, but you've just got to learn not to try to do stupid things like getting to evening meetings that are just too far away. The nine-meetings-a-week rule doesn't affect me too much, but I wouldn't mind if it did affect me, because it would mean I'd be getting a lot more rides."
Micky had his last ride on September 6, 2013. Riding Batchelor's Star for Seamus Durack, he was unseated in the 17.20 at Chepstow won by Eton Rambler.
Micky had his last ride on September 6, 2013. Riding Batchelor's Star for Seamus Durack, he was unseated in the 17.20 at Chepstow won by Eton Rambler.
At the time, his agent Richard Hale said, 'Micky was x-rayed last night and there were no breaks. He'll take it easy for a few days but he should be fine after that.'
At the time, his agent Richard Hale said, 'Micky was x-rayed last night and there were no breaks. He'll take it easy for a few days but he should be fine after that.'
But he never rode again.
But he never rode again.
Now, looking back on his career from his cosy Newmarket cottage, he can count 689 winners from 8,966 mounts.
Now, looking back on his career from his cosy Newmarket cottage, he can count 689 winners from 8,966 mounts.
Micky Fenton is married to Steph: they have a young daughter, Mary-May.
Micky Fenton is married to Steph: they have a young daughter, Mary-May.
Micky bought Seph an Irish hunter for her 22nd birthday. They also own a dog called Missy who is a Tibetan terrier.
Micky bought Seph an Irish hunter for her 22nd birthday. They also own a dog called Missy who is a Tibetan terrier.
Micky's day in the sun came at Newmarket on Sunday May 7, 2006, when, making all the running, he won the 1,000 Guineas on the volatile Speciosa. A low draw gained her a considerable advantage, given her inclination to hang to the left, and she capitalised to the full. This was Micky's first classic success.
Micky's day in the sun came at Newmarket on Sunday May 7, 2006, when, making all the running, he won the 1,000 Guineas on the volatile Speciosa. A low draw gained her a considerable advantage, given her inclination to hang to the left, and she capitalised to the full. This was Micky's first classic success.
He said of Speciosa; 'You don't argue with her. You just let her get on with it. She likes her space, so you let her have it.'
He said of Speciosa; 'You don't argue with her. You just let her get on with it. She likes her space, so you let her have it.'