Mick Greeves

Mick Greeves

Article by Alan Trout

Associated with the stable of Grand National-winning trainer Denys Smith, Michael Greeves, known as Mick, rode two dozen winners in two and a half years, then returned to add one more. 

Born on October 2, 1948, he had his first ride in public on Officer Kelly, owned and trained by Denys Smith, coming home ninth of 12 finishers in the Finningley Handicap Hurdle, a race for novice riders, at Doncaster on January 26, 1968. He had his initial success the same year at Southwell on April 13, when Tiger Heart beat ten rivals to land the Burgage Hurdle (Division 1) by two and a half lengths. 

Another hurdler, King Dolphin, owned and trained by Harry Lane, who had enjoyed his greatest moment as owner of 1952 Grand National hero Teal, provided Mick with his two other wins that season. He then recorded eight victories in the 1968/69 season and reached a career best 12 in 1969/70. A major victory eluded him, although he was only beaten a length on Tanlic in the Liverpool Hurdle on April 4, 1970. 

Having won on War Cry at Sedgefield on September 12, 1970, there was a gap of well over two years before his final success when Zeus Line, trained by Toby Balding, held off the strong challenge of top amateur Richard Smith on Le Sive to land the Diglis Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on March 28, 1973. Nine days later the same combination finished third in the Hosta Handicap Hurdle at Ascot, that being Mick’s last ride. 

Mick Greeves’ winners were, in chronological order:

1. Tiger Heart, Southwell, April 13, 1968

2. King Dolphin, Sedgefield, May 18, 1968

3. King Dolphin, Sedgefield, June 8, 1968

4. Mannions Bell, Market Rasen, September 28, 1968

5. Supathene, Wetherby, December 26, 1968

6. Grey Coat, Ayr, January 3, 1969

7. Perching, Sedgefield, January 25, 1969

8. Tanlic, Market Rasen, March 1, 1969

9. Officer Kelly, Ayr, March 8, 1969

10. Berenice, Nottingham, March 11, 1969

11. Keadby, Carlisle, April 5, 1969

12. Caballus, Hexham, September 29, 1969

13. Turmo-Tang, Wetherby, November 8, 1969

14. Lochar Moss, Kelso, November 11, 1969

15. Supathene, Teesside Park, December 15, 1969 

16. Tanlic, Wetherby, December 26, 1969

17. Master Auckland, Wetherby, December 27, 1969

18. Lake District, Catterick Bridge, January 17, 1970 

19. Kalygem, Newcastle, January 30, 1970

20. Lochar Moss, Kelso, March 12, 1970

21. Tanlic, Wetherby, March 31, 1970

22. Supathene, Nottingham, May 18, 1970

23. Arctic Coral, Hexham, May 23, 1970

24. War Cry, Sedgefield, September 12, 1970

25. Zeus Line, Worcester, March 28, 1973