Cliff Lines
Cliff Lines in the winner’s enclosure following a winner at Yarmouth
Cliff Lines in the winner’s enclosure following a winner at Yarmouth
Cliff Lines is a former Newmarket jockey and work rider who will forever be associated wit the great Shergar.
Cliff Lines is a former Newmarket jockey and work rider who will forever be associated wit the great Shergar.
Clifford Victor Lines was born on 14 February 1935. He began in racing in 1949 as an apprentice at Noel Murless’s Beckhampton yard, staying with Murless when he moved his string to Newmarket.
Clifford Victor Lines was born on 14 February 1935. He began in racing in 1949 as an apprentice at Noel Murless’s Beckhampton yard, staying with Murless when he moved his string to Newmarket.
He rode just two winners as an apprentice, the first of them on Sir Victor Sassoon’s Prairies in a three-year-old maiden at Pontefract on August 3, 1955. His only other success was for the Queen, riding her two-year-old fillyAnthracite to victory at Thirsk on July 27, 1956.
He rode just two winners as an apprentice, the first of them on Sir Victor Sassoon’s Prairies in a three-year-old maiden at Pontefract on August 3, 1955. His only other success was for the Queen, riding her two-year-old fillyAnthracite to victory at Thirsk on July 27, 1956.
Cliff rode as a full-time professional for three seasons, 1958 to 1960, but had no more winners. He then decided to focus on work riding. Among the many good horses with which he was associated were Hethersett (1962 St Leger winner), Royal Palace (1967 Derby winner) and J O Tobin. In 1976 he went J O Tobin to America as his work rider and prior to the colt winning the Swaps Stakes by 16 lengths at Hollywood Park.
Cliff rode as a full-time professional for three seasons, 1958 to 1960, but had no more winners. He then decided to focus on work riding. Among the many good horses with which he was associated were Hethersett (1962 St Leger winner), Royal Palace (1967 Derby winner) and J O Tobin. In 1976 he went J O Tobin to America as his work rider and prior to the colt winning the Swaps Stakes by 16 lengths at Hollywood Park.
Returning home after 11 months, Cliff was snapped up by trainer Sir Michael Stoute and it was with him that he began a long association with some of his best horses They included Sonic Lady, Shareef Dancer and, most famous of all, the brilliant but ill-fated Shergar.
Returning home after 11 months, Cliff was snapped up by trainer Sir Michael Stoute and it was with him that he began a long association with some of his best horses They included Sonic Lady, Shareef Dancer and, most famous of all, the brilliant but ill-fated Shergar.
In 1989, Cliff bought Marsh Stables in Exning but continued to ride work for Sir Michael as well as preparing horses for him at his new yard. He later took out a trainer’s licence.
In 1989, Cliff bought Marsh Stables in Exning but continued to ride work for Sir Michael as well as preparing horses for him at his new yard. He later took out a trainer’s licence.
In November 2009 Cliff celebrated 60 years in racing with a race named in his honour at Newmarket.
In November 2009 Cliff celebrated 60 years in racing with a race named in his honour at Newmarket.
He continued to train a couple of horses at Exning, his best being in recent years Proud Chieftain. He lives at Hethersett House, named after the Major Lionel Holliday classic-winning colt he partnered on the gallops. In turn, Proud Chieftain shares his name with a half-brother to Hethersett, also owned by Major Holliday, who won Kempton’s Rosebery Handicap and York’s Magnet Cup in 1961.
He continued to train a couple of horses at Exning, his best being in recent years Proud Chieftain. He lives at Hethersett House, named after the Major Lionel Holliday classic-winning colt he partnered on the gallops. In turn, Proud Chieftain shares his name with a half-brother to Hethersett, also owned by Major Holliday, who won Kempton’s Rosebery Handicap and York’s Magnet Cup in 1961.
Having spent nearly 70 years in racing, Cliff brought the curtain down on his training career in fairytale fashion when Catapult, his final runner, landed a gamble when winning a Lingfield maiden handicap on January 30, 2018, ridden by Hollie Doyle.
Having spent nearly 70 years in racing, Cliff brought the curtain down on his training career in fairytale fashion when Catapult, his final runner, landed a gamble when winning a Lingfield maiden handicap on January 30, 2018, ridden by Hollie Doyle.