Athol Mulley
1924 - 2001
1924 - 2001
Athol Mulley was a famous Australian jockey who was actively involved in horse racing for a period of 40 years. He rode in Britain for one season in 1949 and was also based in France in 1963.
Athol Mulley was a famous Australian jockey who was actively involved in horse racing for a period of 40 years. He rode in Britain for one season in 1949 and was also based in France in 1963.
Athol George Mulley was born on April 22, 1924. In 1938, aged 14 and weighing just 3½ stone, he joined Bayley Payten’s stable as an apprentice. Shortly after completing his apprenticeship in 1945 he began his association with the greatest horse he would ever ride, the legendary Bernborough, beginning with victory in the Villiers Stakes at Randwick in December 1945. Between then and October 1946, Athol steered Bernborough to 15 wins in succession
Athol George Mulley was born on April 22, 1924. In 1938, aged 14 and weighing just 3½ stone, he joined Bayley Payten’s stable as an apprentice. Shortly after completing his apprenticeship in 1945 he began his association with the greatest horse he would ever ride, the legendary Bernborough, beginning with victory in the Villiers Stakes at Randwick in December 1945. Between then and October 1946, Athol steered Bernborough to 15 wins in succession
He won the Sydney jockeys’ premiership in 1945/46 and was runner-up three times to his great rival George Moore.
He won the Sydney jockeys’ premiership in 1945/46 and was runner-up three times to his great rival George Moore.
Athol rode in Britain in 1949 and scored his first success in this country on Lucky Lord at Brighton on August 2, 1949. He rode a total of seven winners that year.
Athol rode in Britain in 1949 and scored his first success in this country on Lucky Lord at Brighton on August 2, 1949. He rode a total of seven winners that year.
Returning to Australia, he went on to win the 1960/1961 Sydney jockeys’ premiership. His big race victories included two AJC Australian Derbies, two Epsom Handicaps, four Rosehill Guineas, three Newmarket Handicaps, a Metropolitan Handicap and a Brisbane Cup. He won the Golden Slipper Stakes three times, on Skyline (1958), Sky High (1960) and Eskimo Prince (1964).
Returning to Australia, he went on to win the 1960/1961 Sydney jockeys’ premiership. His big race victories included two AJC Australian Derbies, two Epsom Handicaps, four Rosehill Guineas, three Newmarket Handicaps, a Metropolitan Handicap and a Brisbane Cup. He won the Golden Slipper Stakes three times, on Skyline (1958), Sky High (1960) and Eskimo Prince (1964).
He rode winners in India, Singapore and France and finished third on Corpora in the 1963 Poule d’Essai Des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas).
He rode winners in India, Singapore and France and finished third on Corpora in the 1963 Poule d’Essai Des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas).
He retired in 1969 but returned to the saddle and did not finally quit riding until injury forced him to do so in 1978. He rode some 2,000 winners during his career, more than 40 of which were at Group 1 level.
He retired in 1969 but returned to the saddle and did not finally quit riding until injury forced him to do so in 1978. He rode some 2,000 winners during his career, more than 40 of which were at Group 1 level.
Athol Mulley went on to become a trainer for a period of 15 years. He developed Parkinson’s Disease, with which he struggled for several years and finally led to his death on December 1, 2001. In his honour, the Royal Randwick Racecourse had a trophy named after him. He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2012, 11 years after his death
Athol Mulley went on to become a trainer for a period of 15 years. He developed Parkinson’s Disease, with which he struggled for several years and finally led to his death on December 1, 2001. In his honour, the Royal Randwick Racecourse had a trophy named after him. He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2012, 11 years after his death
