Michael Kettle
Born at St Mary Cray, Kent, on October 15, 1950, he started his working life as a pageboy at the Savoy Hotel.
Born at St Mary Cray, Kent, on October 15, 1950, he started his working life as a pageboy at the Savoy Hotel.
Michael served a three-year apprenticeship with Staff Ingham before moving to join H. Smyth for a further four years.
Michael served a three-year apprenticeship with Staff Ingham before moving to join H. Smyth for a further four years.
His first winner was Kelanne, at Chepstow, May 25, 1970.
His first winner was Kelanne, at Chepstow, May 25, 1970.
Michael was due to ride in Hong Kong one winter but was injured shortly before he was due to leave. Brian Taylor, a late replacement, was killed while substituting for him.
Michael was due to ride in Hong Kong one winter but was injured shortly before he was due to leave. Brian Taylor, a late replacement, was killed while substituting for him.
In 2014, Michael worked as the racehorse manager and trainer for H E Shrashid Bin Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
In 2014, Michael worked as the racehorse manager and trainer for H E Shrashid Bin Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
Riding Pircol at Kempton in July 1972, Michael's instructions from Florence Nagle were 'whatever you do, don't finish last. He's in the sale next week.'
Riding Pircol at Kempton in July 1972, Michael's instructions from Florence Nagle were 'whatever you do, don't finish last. He's in the sale next week.'
Obligingly, Michael didn't finish last. He won - at 20/1!
Obligingly, Michael didn't finish last. He won - at 20/1!
This was not the only long priced winner booted home by Michael that month. The well-named Some Surprise, 33/1, stormed home at Wolverhampton and trainer David Baron was the first to compliment his jockey; 'Michael managed to settle the gelding down very well' he said.
This was not the only long priced winner booted home by Michael that month. The well-named Some Surprise, 33/1, stormed home at Wolverhampton and trainer David Baron was the first to compliment his jockey; 'Michael managed to settle the gelding down very well' he said.
Michael's instructions from John Winter when riding Rodney (Oct 1972) was to use 'catch me if you can' tactics. He made every inch of the running to win easily.
Michael's instructions from John Winter when riding Rodney (Oct 1972) was to use 'catch me if you can' tactics. He made every inch of the running to win easily.
Michael, then 22, rode his 45th winner from 673 rides when Tudor Jewel won the Crown Decorators Stakes at Doncaster in March, 1973. He registered his biggest success on Pontam in the 1974 Thirsk Hunt Cup.
Michael, then 22, rode his 45th winner from 673 rides when Tudor Jewel won the Crown Decorators Stakes at Doncaster in March, 1973. He registered his biggest success on Pontam in the 1974 Thirsk Hunt Cup.
After quitting the saddle, Michael became assistant to trainer Peter Makin.
After quitting the saddle, Michael became assistant to trainer Peter Makin.
His brother, David, was also a jockey.
His brother, David, was also a jockey.