Mark James Baird came from Hillhouse in Hamilton and got his opening in racing through Scottish trainer John Wilson who sent him to the Newmarket Racing School.
Mark was seventeen when he rode his first winner - Luks Akura at Carlisle (50-1) on 6 June 1992.
Mark spent 30 months at Kingsley House before joining Mick Ryan for a seven-year spell. Then he found his way to Sir Michael Stoute's.
Like so many before him, Mark struggled once he lost his allowance. Happily, he was able to keep himself and his family (wife Emma & baby) going by riding work for Sir Michael on the Newmarket gallops.
Mark said of his employer: 'he is great to work for and pays good money.'
Away from racing, Mark is a staunch Rangers supporter. Mark admitted that they, like him, weren't doing too well 'at the moment but, hopefully, both our fortunes will change soon'.
Mark rode a total of 57 winners before quitting the saddle in 2001, although he continued to ride out for Sir Michael Stoute until around 2009. Having handed in his jockey's licence he contacted JETS (Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme) to retrain in another profession. He eventually formed his own company, M. Baird Digger Hire and Landscaping, and has now runs a thriving business based near Bury St Edmunds. Â
