Charlie Mann
Dumfries-born Charles James Mann was born on April 3, 1958, and lived at one time at Lavender Cottage, Uppers Lambourn, Berkshire.
Dumfries-born Charles James Mann was born on April 3, 1958, and lived at one time at Lavender Cottage, Uppers Lambourn, Berkshire.
Charlie left school at 15 and went to Newmarket to work for trainer Peter Poston for £6 per week.
Charlie left school at 15 and went to Newmarket to work for trainer Peter Poston for £6 per week.
He then became apprenticed to Tony Gillam at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire, and rode his first winner on November 10 at Southwell in 1977. Riding the tiny La Valse in the second division of the Burton Joyce Novice Hurdle, he beat the favourite, Stalbec.
He then became apprenticed to Tony Gillam at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire, and rode his first winner on November 10 at Southwell in 1977. Riding the tiny La Valse in the second division of the Burton Joyce Novice Hurdle, he beat the favourite, Stalbec.
Charlie then moved down to Lambourn, joining Nicky Henderson's yard in 1979.
Charlie then moved down to Lambourn, joining Nicky Henderson's yard in 1979.
His first Grand National ride was in 1981 on Tenecon. They came down at the second ditch. He was back again two years later, this time riding Williamson. Having survived a bad blunder at Becher's, they fell at the Chair.
His first Grand National ride was in 1981 on Tenecon. They came down at the second ditch. He was back again two years later, this time riding Williamson. Having survived a bad blunder at Becher's, they fell at the Chair.
By his own admission, Charlie was quite drunk when he attempted the National for the third time. On the morning of the race, he and fellow jockey Gavin Wragg got so drunk at the Adelphi Hotel that they couldn't find their way to the racecourse.
By his own admission, Charlie was quite drunk when he attempted the National for the third time. On the morning of the race, he and fellow jockey Gavin Wragg got so drunk at the Adelphi Hotel that they couldn't find their way to the racecourse.
Somehow they got to there and Charlie, 'pissed as a newt', climbed aboard Doubleuagain whose odds were 500/1. Had punters smelt Charlie's breath, he would have started double those odds.
Somehow they got to there and Charlie, 'pissed as a newt', climbed aboard Doubleuagain whose odds were 500/1. Had punters smelt Charlie's breath, he would have started double those odds.
In the circumstances, the pair did well to keep going until starting out on the second circuit when they were knocked over by a loose horse.
In the circumstances, the pair did well to keep going until starting out on the second circuit when they were knocked over by a loose horse.
Charlie's final attempt at National glory was over before he had hardly started: riding another 500/1 shot, Lucky Rew, the pair came down at the first.
Charlie's final attempt at National glory was over before he had hardly started: riding another 500/1 shot, Lucky Rew, the pair came down at the first.
His best season was 1980-81 with 17 winners.
His best season was 1980-81 with 17 winners.
Big race wins included the Geoffrey Gilbert PTS Hurdle, Fullwell Chase and the Mercedes Benz Chase.
Big race wins included the Geoffrey Gilbert PTS Hurdle, Fullwell Chase and the Mercedes Benz Chase.
Action-man Charlie enjoyed flying, skiing, riding and fishing.
Action-man Charlie enjoyed flying, skiing, riding and fishing.
At Liverpool racecourse on May 16, 1983, Charlie worked as a stuntman on the film Champions, the story of Bob Champion and Aldaniti.
At Liverpool racecourse on May 16, 1983, Charlie worked as a stuntman on the film Champions, the story of Bob Champion and Aldaniti.
He was out of action for 5 weeks after injuring his back in a fall from Iowa at Chepstow in February, 1987.
He was out of action for 5 weeks after injuring his back in a fall from Iowa at Chepstow in February, 1987.
He was forced to retire the following year when coming down on Lightning Wind at Warwick.
He was forced to retire the following year when coming down on Lightning Wind at Warwick.
He suffered a C2 break ( a broken neck) and was obliged to wear a frame for three months and was told to rest for a least a year. This he did, but, on applying for a licence, was refused. Charlie was shocked: he had no other means of support other than riding.
He suffered a C2 break ( a broken neck) and was obliged to wear a frame for three months and was told to rest for a least a year. This he did, but, on applying for a licence, was refused. Charlie was shocked: he had no other means of support other than riding.
Somewhat cheekily, he decided to have a go at the Velka Pardubicka (the Czech Grand National) and spent time looking for a suitable mount to buy for the race. He found it at the Doncaster Sales: called It's A Snip, Charlie parted with 4,000 Guineas to acquire it.
Somewhat cheekily, he decided to have a go at the Velka Pardubicka (the Czech Grand National) and spent time looking for a suitable mount to buy for the race. He found it at the Doncaster Sales: called It's A Snip, Charlie parted with 4,000 Guineas to acquire it.
Richard Dunwoody rode the horse at Newton Abbot a fortnight earlier to tune it up. Now it was Charlie's turn for glory - if he could get a licence to ride! He had tried America, Tobago, everywhere, to no avail. Then, at the last minute, he managed to get one from Tasmania.
Richard Dunwoody rode the horse at Newton Abbot a fortnight earlier to tune it up. Now it was Charlie's turn for glory - if he could get a licence to ride! He had tried America, Tobago, everywhere, to no avail. Then, at the last minute, he managed to get one from Tasmania.
Charlie and It's A Snip took up the running at half-way, cleared the last in front, and won going away. It was a wonderful swansong for a gutsy jockey.
Charlie and It's A Snip took up the running at half-way, cleared the last in front, and won going away. It was a wonderful swansong for a gutsy jockey.
With 149 winners on the board, Charlie turned to training in 1993.
With 149 winners on the board, Charlie turned to training in 1993.