Mick Lyons
National Hunt jockey Michael John (Mick) Lyons held a licence for just one season, 1962/63, and rode one winner from 11 rides.
National Hunt jockey Michael John (Mick) Lyons held a licence for just one season, 1962/63, and rode one winner from 11 rides.
Mick worked for trainer Jack Bissill, whose stables were at Enville, between Stourbridge and Bridgnorth. He had his first mount in public on Pharoah in division two of the Shylock Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at Stratford on September 1, 1962, finishing unplaced.
Mick worked for trainer Jack Bissill, whose stables were at Enville, between Stourbridge and Bridgnorth. He had his first mount in public on Pharoah in division two of the Shylock Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at Stratford on September 1, 1962, finishing unplaced.
His red-letter day came at Woore the following month, October 4, 1962, when riding 100-6 chance Burnham, owned and trained by Alan Rumsey at Bobbington, near Stourbridge, to victory in the Bearstone Novices’ Hurdle. Taking the lead at the third flight, Burnham stayed on gamely to repel the late challenge of Terry Biddlecombe on the favourite Hot Springs by a head, with Roy Edwards on Prince of Justice just half a length further back in third. They were two very big scalps to claim for a first career win.
His red-letter day came at Woore the following month, October 4, 1962, when riding 100-6 chance Burnham, owned and trained by Alan Rumsey at Bobbington, near Stourbridge, to victory in the Bearstone Novices’ Hurdle. Taking the lead at the third flight, Burnham stayed on gamely to repel the late challenge of Terry Biddlecombe on the favourite Hot Springs by a head, with Roy Edwards on Prince of Justice just half a length further back in third. They were two very big scalps to claim for a first career win.
Back at Woore three weeks later, Mick finished second in a selling hurdle on another of Rumsey’s horses, Pattingham, beaten four lengths. That was as close as he would come to riding another winner.
Back at Woore three weeks later, Mick finished second in a selling hurdle on another of Rumsey’s horses, Pattingham, beaten four lengths. That was as close as he would come to riding another winner.
Having retired from race-riding after that one season and with that sole winner to his name, Mick plied his trade in another equine field. He became a horse dentist, a profession which lasted him the remainder of his working life. His services were much in demand with local West Midlands trainers.
Having retired from race-riding after that one season and with that sole winner to his name, Mick plied his trade in another equine field. He became a horse dentist, a profession which lasted him the remainder of his working life. His services were much in demand with local West Midlands trainers.
Mick’s son, Gary Lyons, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a National Hunt jockey, going on to ride more than 100 winners in a career which spanned two decades.
Mick’s son, Gary Lyons, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a National Hunt jockey, going on to ride more than 100 winners in a career which spanned two decades.
Mick's first winner