Michael Cassidy

Michael Cassidy

Article by Alan Trout

Michael Cassidy rode under both codes in the second half of the 1980s and had three wins altogether, two over hurdles and one on the Flat.

A conditional jockey with former jump jockey Gerry Gracey, his first ride under National Hunt rules was at Windsor on November 14, 1987, when Mr Caractacus finished a never nearer eighth of 16 starters in the Sparplas Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle series. 

He rode his first winner at Plumpton on December 15, 1987, when the five-year-old Robert Frost, trained by Gerry Gracey, led at the second last flight and held off Namoos to land the Henfield Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle by three-quarters of a length. 

At Newton Abbot on May 6, 1988 they had their second victory together when leading all the way and coming home a distance clear at the end of the Saltash Novices’ Selling Hurdle. 

Michael looked to be in with a good chance of a third success when Mr Caractacus was disputing the lead at the second last flight at Huntingdon on Whit Monday, May 30, but the saddle slipped and he had to be content with second place, beaten five lengths. 

It was at Leicester that he had his sole victory on the Flat when Dazzling Heights, trained by Alec Stewart, for whom he was now riding, led throughout the final mile to take the Gaddesby Apprentice Stakes by two lengths on September 18, 1989. 

Michael rode for at least one more season on the Flat, one of his last efforts being when second, beaten a head, on Colourist in the Almond Apprentice Handicap at Salisbury on May 3, 1990. He had relinquished his licence by the end of the season.