Mick Dillon
1926 - 2006
Mick (extreme right) is seen taking a hurdle at Windsor.
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Mick Dillon hailed from a strong racing family.
Mick Dillon hailed from a strong racing family.
Two of his uncles were top-class Flat jockeys – Bernard Dillon won the 1910 Derby on Lemberg and Joe Dillon won the 1903 Irish Derby on Lord Rossmore, while his younger brother Dennis Dillon was a top-flight hurdles jockey who was associated with much of National Spirit’s career, although he did not ride him in either of his two Champion Hurdle triumphs.
Two of his uncles were top-class Flat jockeys – Bernard Dillon won the 1910 Derby on Lemberg and Joe Dillon won the 1903 Irish Derby on Lord Rossmore, while his younger brother Dennis Dillon was a top-flight hurdles jockey who was associated with much of National Spirit’s career, although he did not ride him in either of his two Champion Hurdle triumphs.
Michael Patrick Dillon was born in Epsom on June 15, 1926. He was apprenticed initially to Cecil Ray at Malton and then to Johnny Dines at Epsom.
Michael Patrick Dillon was born in Epsom on June 15, 1926. He was apprenticed initially to Cecil Ray at Malton and then to Johnny Dines at Epsom.
He had his first ride when aged 14 on a horse named Ermine Street at Nottingham on May 6, 1941. His first winner came on Lady Electra (right) at Stockton on August 2, 1943.
He had his first ride when aged 14 on a horse named Ermine Street at Nottingham on May 6, 1941. His first winner came on Lady Electra (right) at Stockton on August 2, 1943.
He took out a jump jockey’s licence after the war but achieved only a modest level of success, riding his tenth winner and losing his 7lb claim on Scarlett William at Windsor on January 5, 1951.
He took out a jump jockey’s licence after the war but achieved only a modest level of success, riding his tenth winner and losing his 7lb claim on Scarlett William at Windsor on January 5, 1951.
He rode just one winner the following season, novice chaser King Rebel at Fontwell’s Whitsun meeting on May 31, 1952.
He rode just one winner the following season, novice chaser King Rebel at Fontwell’s Whitsun meeting on May 31, 1952.
The 1952/53 campaign was numerically his best with four winners, the first of which, on selling hurdler Peerflex at Wincanton on Boxing Day, was gained in the stewards’ room after finishing second. The other three were for Epsom trainer and former top-class hurdles jockey George Duller, two on novice chaser Happy Spring, at Kempton on March 12 and Sandown on April 1, and one on novice hurdler Ticatica II at Towcester on April 25.
The 1952/53 campaign was numerically his best with four winners, the first of which, on selling hurdler Peerflex at Wincanton on Boxing Day, was gained in the stewards’ room after finishing second. The other three were for Epsom trainer and former top-class hurdles jockey George Duller, two on novice chaser Happy Spring, at Kempton on March 12 and Sandown on April 1, and one on novice hurdler Ticatica II at Towcester on April 25.
After that, the winners dried up, with just one the following season, on selling hurdler Heave Ho at Newton Abbot on Boxing Day 1953. He failed to score in three of the next four seasons before riding his final winner – the 18th of his career – on Souverlone in the Brampton Hurdle at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, March 30, 1959.
After that, the winners dried up, with just one the following season, on selling hurdler Heave Ho at Newton Abbot on Boxing Day 1953. He failed to score in three of the next four seasons before riding his final winner – the 18th of his career – on Souverlone in the Brampton Hurdle at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, March 30, 1959.
After retiring from race riding in 1960, he joined the actors’ union Equity and became a stuntman, appearing in racing films such as ‘Just My Luck’, ‘Dead Cert’ and ‘Champions’.
After retiring from race riding in 1960, he joined the actors’ union Equity and became a stuntman, appearing in racing films such as ‘Just My Luck’, ‘Dead Cert’ and ‘Champions’.
He subsequently worked as a starting stalls handler until his retirement in 1986.
He subsequently worked as a starting stalls handler until his retirement in 1986.
Mick Dillon died in his home town of Epsom on July 23, 2006, aged 80, and was buried at Epsom Cemetery.
Mick Dillon died in his home town of Epsom on July 23, 2006, aged 80, and was buried at Epsom Cemetery.