Micky Lynn
One of the great tragedies of National Hunt racing occurred at Sandown in 1955.
One of the great tragedies of National Hunt racing occurred at Sandown in 1955.
Micky Lynn, a conditional rider from Ireland, worked at Weyhill for Gerald Balding's stable. He was in good company.
Micky Lynn, a conditional rider from Ireland, worked at Weyhill for Gerald Balding's stable. He was in good company.
Other jockeys employed there included the incredibly brave and tough Tim Molony, his younger brother Martin Molony, who was one of the all-time great riders, Dick Francis, the would be novelist, Glen Kelly, Rex Hamey and Derek Ancil.
Other jockeys employed there included the incredibly brave and tough Tim Molony, his younger brother Martin Molony, who was one of the all-time great riders, Dick Francis, the would be novelist, Glen Kelly, Rex Hamey and Derek Ancil.
Yet young Lynn - potentially - was the best by far. He had the perfect build for a jump jockey, he was intelligent and brave, and a brilliant all-round horseman who especially enjoyed riding all the difficult horses that no one else wanted to ride.
Yet young Lynn - potentially - was the best by far. He had the perfect build for a jump jockey, he was intelligent and brave, and a brilliant all-round horseman who especially enjoyed riding all the difficult horses that no one else wanted to ride.
He rode his first winner on Group Leader in a selling chase at Market Rasen on March 10, 1951.
He rode his first winner on Group Leader in a selling chase at Market Rasen on March 10, 1951.
Like all the other work riders of the time, he schooled his horses either bareheaded or in a cloth cap, usually turned round so that the wind wouldn't blow it off.
Like all the other work riders of the time, he schooled his horses either bareheaded or in a cloth cap, usually turned round so that the wind wouldn't blow it off.
The skullcaps used in races then were less than useless and had no chinstraps, but they were included in the total weight a horse would carry.
The skullcaps used in races then were less than useless and had no chinstraps, but they were included in the total weight a horse would carry.
Many jockeys, especially if they were struggling with their weight, used 'cheating helmets', which looked real enough but were made of cardboard and weighed only a few ounces.
Many jockeys, especially if they were struggling with their weight, used 'cheating helmets', which looked real enough but were made of cardboard and weighed only a few ounces.
In such headgear, Micky, then 23, took a dreadful fall at Sandown on April 5, 1955 in The Spring Handicap Chase.
In such headgear, Micky, then 23, took a dreadful fall at Sandown on April 5, 1955 in The Spring Handicap Chase.
He landed headfirst, fracturing his skull. He never regained consciousness and died from his injuries two days later.
He landed headfirst, fracturing his skull. He never regained consciousness and died from his injuries two days later.
A brilliant young talent and the life of a wonderful Christian young man had been snuffed out in an instant.
A brilliant young talent and the life of a wonderful Christian young man had been snuffed out in an instant.
The young man who would undoubtedly have become champion jockey was gone forever.
The young man who would undoubtedly have become champion jockey was gone forever.
Micky Lynn and trainer Gerald Balding in the winner's enclosure following the victory
Micky Lynn and trainer Gerald Balding in the winner's enclosure following the victory
of Son Of Marie in the 1955 Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase.
of Son Of Marie in the 1955 Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase.