Mark Christopher Beecroft, of 7, Thornley Avenue, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was born on July 13, 1959.
He spent three years as an apprentice with E. J. Carr and a further three with Tommy Fairhurst.
We first saw Mark on a racecourse on April 21, 1976, when, at Ripon, in the Hackfall Handicap, he rode Cool Hand Luke for W. F. Murray.
Mark rode his first winner, Peggy Jet, (16/1), at Ripon Thirsk on May 14, 1977.
His last winner came at Hamilton Park aboard Aunt Mabel (10/1) on November 3, 1988.
His best season in England came in 1981 when he won 9 times.
In the 1986-87 season, he became Champion British jockey in Italy.
