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Mick Ennis
Mick Ennis
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Michael Anthony Ennis had six wins in the 1977/78 National Hunt season, then returned after a gap in the 1980s to add another six.
Michael Anthony Ennis had six wins in the 1977/78 National Hunt season, then returned after a gap in the 1980s to add another six.
He spent much of his career riding for Scottish trainer Tommy Craig and finished second on his first ride in Britain when beaten a length and a half by Tregarron in the W.L. and Hector Christie Memorial Handicap Chase at Catterick on October 30, 1976.
He spent much of his career riding for Scottish trainer Tommy Craig and finished second on his first ride in Britain when beaten a length and a half by Tregarron in the W.L. and Hector Christie Memorial Handicap Chase at Catterick on October 30, 1976.
It was not until October 15, 1977 that he recorded his first victory when Tangles Brother, having been prominent throughout, led after three out and drew clear to win the Stichill Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Kelso by eight lengths. They followed up at Perth seven days later and had two more victories together before the season ended.
It was not until October 15, 1977 that he recorded his first victory when Tangles Brother, having been prominent throughout, led after three out and drew clear to win the Stichill Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Kelso by eight lengths. They followed up at Perth seven days later and had two more victories together before the season ended.
He then went back to his native Ireland to pursue his career but returned to Britain for the 1982/83 campaign and made a perfect start, winning on his first ride of the season aboard the odds-on Willerby in a selling hurdle at Perth. He had two wins that season and two the next, all for Tommy Craig, but appears to have relocated back to Ireland.
He then went back to his native Ireland to pursue his career but returned to Britain for the 1982/83 campaign and made a perfect start, winning on his first ride of the season aboard the odds-on Willerby in a selling hurdle at Perth. He had two wins that season and two the next, all for Tommy Craig, but appears to have relocated back to Ireland.
Whereas Tommy Craig had trained all ten of Mick’s British winners, it was Richard Whitaker who supplied the last two when he eventually returned at the start of the 1988/89 season. Both were gained on Marshalstoneswood. The three-year-old finished second on his debut on Augst 13, 1988, but was awarded the race when the winner was found to have a prohibited substance in his urine. Fourteen days later they passed the winning post in front when taking the Greenall’s Brewery Hurdle at Cartmel by eight lengths. They had three more starts together but were well beaten each time.
Whereas Tommy Craig had trained all ten of Mick’s British winners, it was Richard Whitaker who supplied the last two when he eventually returned at the start of the 1988/89 season. Both were gained on Marshalstoneswood. The three-year-old finished second on his debut on Augst 13, 1988, but was awarded the race when the winner was found to have a prohibited substance in his urine. Fourteen days later they passed the winning post in front when taking the Greenall’s Brewery Hurdle at Cartmel by eight lengths. They had three more starts together but were well beaten each time.
His son, Michael ‘Mikey’ Ennis, rode successfully on the Flat and over jumps during the 2010s.
His son, Michael ‘Mikey’ Ennis, rode successfully on the Flat and over jumps during the 2010s.
Mick Ennis’ winners were, in chronological order:
Mick Ennis’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. Tangles Brother, Kelso, October 15, 1977
1. Tangles Brother, Kelso, October 15, 1977
2. Tangles Brother, Perth, October 22, 1977
2. Tangles Brother, Perth, October 22, 1977
3. Melanna, Kelson, January 11, 1978
3. Melanna, Kelson, January 11, 1978
4. Tangles Brother, Ayr, January 27, 1978
4. Tangles Brother, Ayr, January 27, 1978
5. Red Saint, Sedgefield, February 7, 1978
5. Red Saint, Sedgefield, February 7, 1978
6. Tangles Brother, Hexhan, May 29, 1978
6. Tangles Brother, Hexhan, May 29, 1978
7. Willerby, Perth, September 3, 1982
7. Willerby, Perth, September 3, 1982
8. Nodana, Kelso, March 1, 1983
8. Nodana, Kelso, March 1, 1983
9. Respighi, Ayr, March 12, 1984
9. Respighi, Ayr, March 12, 1984
10. Laurence Parsons, Perth, May 23, 1984
10. Laurence Parsons, Perth, May 23, 1984
11. Marshalstoneswood, Market Rasen, August 13, 1988
11. Marshalstoneswood, Market Rasen, August 13, 1988
12. Marshalstoneswood, Cartmel, August 27, 1988
12. Marshalstoneswood, Cartmel, August 27, 1988
Mick Ennis' first win came at Kelso on 15 October 1977 on Tangles Brother
Mick Ennis' first win came at Kelso on 15 October 1977 on Tangles Brother
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