Mark Clitheroe was born in Morecambe on 8 September 1965. He spent time at Josh Gifford's Sussex stable before riding for Eric Alston's Longton yard. He also spent time at Jimmy Fitzgerald's and Mary Reveley's.
Mark rode as a professional jockey for 2 seasons until his increasing weight saw the end of his career in race riding although he continued to ride good horses away from the track. He rode horses such as Hennessy and Mackeson Gold cup winners Strands of Gold and Joint Sovereignty.
