Mick Lambert
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Mick Lambert was best known as a trainer, sending out almost 100 winners from his Malton base in the early1980s. However, he also held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for four years until his career was ended by injuries sustained in a fall at Catterick.
Mick Lambert was best known as a trainer, sending out almost 100 winners from his Malton base in the early1980s. However, he also held a National Hunt jockey’s licence for four years until his career was ended by injuries sustained in a fall at Catterick.
Born in Woore, Shropshire, on September 11, 1944, Michael Lambert rode just one winner in his riding career, that being Ashbyhill, trained by Reg Hollinshead, in division two of the Woodborough Chase at Nottingham on May 9, 1966.
Born in Woore, Shropshire, on September 11, 1944, Michael Lambert rode just one winner in his riding career, that being Ashbyhill, trained by Reg Hollinshead, in division two of the Woodborough Chase at Nottingham on May 9, 1966.
Mick was not one of the luckiest jockeys for his career was plagued by injuries. On November 22, 1966, he broke a shoulder when his mount, Shamreign, slipped up at Wolverhampton, and not long after that he cracked his skull and broke his shoulder again.
Mick was not one of the luckiest jockeys for his career was plagued by injuries. On November 22, 1966, he broke a shoulder when his mount, Shamreign, slipped up at Wolverhampton, and not long after that he cracked his skull and broke his shoulder again.
His career came to an end at Catterick on November 18, 1967, breaking a bone in his neck when Misty Cloud fell in the ITV-televised Hurworth Novices’ Chase, a race in which eight of the 16 runners ended up on the deck.
His career came to an end at Catterick on November 18, 1967, breaking a bone in his neck when Misty Cloud fell in the ITV-televised Hurworth Novices’ Chase, a race in which eight of the 16 runners ended up on the deck.
Mick became head lad to Jimmy Fitzgerald in 1974 and later became travelling head lad for Peter Easterby. He started training at Kennythorpe, four miles south of Malton, in 1981. His best horse was Fine Sun, who he trained to win Ayr’s Doonside Cup and Ascot’s Bustino Handicap in 1982, ridden on both occasions by Pat Eddery. He went on to train 96 winners during a four-year spell until relinquishing his licence in 1986.
Mick became head lad to Jimmy Fitzgerald in 1974 and later became travelling head lad for Peter Easterby. He started training at Kennythorpe, four miles south of Malton, in 1981. His best horse was Fine Sun, who he trained to win Ayr’s Doonside Cup and Ascot’s Bustino Handicap in 1982, ridden on both occasions by Pat Eddery. He went on to train 96 winners during a four-year spell until relinquishing his licence in 1986.
After a brief stint as a senior instructor at the British Racing School, Mick established himself as a bloodstock agent specialising in sourcing horses for Singapore and Malaysia, before relocating to the Costa Del Sol in 2000, where he became one of the first trainers to set up an operation at Mijas racecourse in Spain. It went well for a while but the racing there was spasmodic and it didn’t really work out. He subsequently retired and went to live in Exning, near Newmarket.
After a brief stint as a senior instructor at the British Racing School, Mick established himself as a bloodstock agent specialising in sourcing horses for Singapore and Malaysia, before relocating to the Costa Del Sol in 2000, where he became one of the first trainers to set up an operation at Mijas racecourse in Spain. It went well for a while but the racing there was spasmodic and it didn’t really work out. He subsequently retired and went to live in Exning, near Newmarket.
Following a long battle with cancer, Mick died in Addenbrooke’s Hospital on April 29, 2011, aged 66. He was survived by his wife Jo, daughters Sarah and Katy and son Adam. His funeral took place on May 12 at West Suffolk Crematorium, near Bury St Edmunds.
Following a long battle with cancer, Mick died in Addenbrooke’s Hospital on April 29, 2011, aged 66. He was survived by his wife Jo, daughters Sarah and Katy and son Adam. His funeral took place on May 12 at West Suffolk Crematorium, near Bury St Edmunds.