Mick Conroy

Mick Conroy

Michael Jonathan Conroy was born in Wigan and came into racing following five years in the Army. Having left the Army in 1976 he had spells with trainers Jim Wilson and Jonathan Turner, having his first ride at Wolverhampton on December 27, 1978, when finishing last of seven to complete in the Stanton Opportunity Handicap Chaase.

In 1980 he headed to America. Based in Denver, Colorado, he rode five winners on the Flat there. He returned to England in 1981 and had a brief period wit Ginger McCain before joining Grimsby trainer John Blundell in October. He rode his first British winner at Nottingham on November 9, 1981, when Measure Up, trained by Blundell, comfortably landed the Tyne Handicap Hurdle, beating Stradman by three lengths. 

His second victory, on Kudos at Newcastle on December 4, was a dramatic one. Put simply, Kudos beat Keep Trying by half a length in the Plover Novices’ Chase. However, it was far more complex than that. The six-year-old set out to make all and was soon well clear but made at least three serious errors, one of which had the rider sliding off his mount with both feet on the left side, before another desperate mistake at the fourth last caused him to lose both irons again. Despite a further error at the next, Mick had managed to regain his stirrups by the run-in and held off the whirlwind finish by Ridley Lamb on Keep Trying.  A report of his heroics appeared in the next day’s Sporting Life. 

The following afternoon at the same course, Mick had a much smoother ride when Theseus took the lead at the last flight and repelled the challenge of Alan Brown on Ryeman to land the Philip Cornes Novices’ Hurdle qualifier by a neck.  

Wilmcote, Warwickshire trainer Anabel King supplied Mick with his final victories when the five-year-old TV Star won three races within the space of 21 days. At Catterick on April 22, they made virtually all to come home three lengths in front, then at Ludlow on May 3 identical tactics were employed in success by 25 lengths. Finally, at the same courses ten days later, TV Star ran away from seven rivals and won the Aston Munslow Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) by the same margin. Hopes of a four-timer were dashed when they could only finish fourth at Warwick on May 22. 

Sadly, TV Star did not train on, nor did Mick have any further success, his final ride coming at Wolverhampton on January 26, 1983, when Lost For Words finished fifth in the Cosley Handicap Hurdle. 

Mick Conroy’s British wins were, in chronological order:

1. Measure Up, Nottingham, November 9, 1981

2. Kudos, Newcastle, December 4, 1981

3. Theseus, Newcastle, December 5, 1981

4. TV Star, Catterick Bridge, April 22, 1982

5. TV Star, Ludlow, Ludlow, May 3, 1982

6. TV Star, Ludlow, Ludlow, May 13, 1982

With thanks to Alan Trout for providing part of this article and list of winners.