Jamie MacKay
Flat jockey Jamie Mackay was born on March 21, 1983. He was destined for a career in the saddle from the day he was born, being the son of jockey Allan Mackay and grandson of another jockey, Eric Eldin.
Flat jockey Jamie Mackay was born on March 21, 1983. He was destined for a career in the saddle from the day he was born, being the son of jockey Allan Mackay and grandson of another jockey, Eric Eldin.
Jamie was apprenticed to Michael Bell at Newmarket and had his first ride in public on Dame Fonteyn for Micheal Bell in the EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster on 22 October 1999.
Jamie was apprenticed to Michael Bell at Newmarket and had his first ride in public on Dame Fonteyn for Micheal Bell in the EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster on 22 October 1999.
He rode his first winner, Sound The Trumpet, trained by Roger Spicer, on the all-weather at Lingfield on 23 November 1999.
He rode his first winner, Sound The Trumpet, trained by Roger Spicer, on the all-weather at Lingfield on 23 November 1999.
Jamie soon found himself in big demand. He regularly had four or five rides a day and proved to be a highly successful apprentice. The best horse he rode came along early in his career, that being Atavus, trained by George Margarson. Jamie won seven races on Atavus including, in 2001, Newmarket’s Bunbury Cup, Ascot’s Tote International Stakes, and the Group 3 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Jamie soon found himself in big demand. He regularly had four or five rides a day and proved to be a highly successful apprentice. The best horse he rode came along early in his career, that being Atavus, trained by George Margarson. Jamie won seven races on Atavus including, in 2001, Newmarket’s Bunbury Cup, Ascot’s Tote International Stakes, and the Group 3 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Just a fortnight after riding out his claim, aged 19, in June 2002, Jamie was reunited with Atavus to score another Group 3 success, this time in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. Later that season they won a Listed contest at Epsom.
Just a fortnight after riding out his claim, aged 19, in June 2002, Jamie was reunited with Atavus to score another Group 3 success, this time in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. Later that season they won a Listed contest at Epsom.
Being a natural lightweight, Jamie was constantly in demand for the big handicap races such as the Chester Cup, Northumberland Plate, the Cambridgeshire and the Cesarewitch. However, shortly after he lost his apprentice allowance, the BHA raised the minimum weight, which stemmed his flow of winners and he was soon down to picking up one or two rides a day.
Being a natural lightweight, Jamie was constantly in demand for the big handicap races such as the Chester Cup, Northumberland Plate, the Cambridgeshire and the Cesarewitch. However, shortly after he lost his apprentice allowance, the BHA raised the minimum weight, which stemmed his flow of winners and he was soon down to picking up one or two rides a day.
He was riding as a freelance by that time and he found it a struggle as he didn't have a big yard behind him and there were too many jockeys chasing too few rides. His career received a further setback in March 2008, when he was banned for 60 days after a BHA disciplinary panel in February found he had contravened the ‘non-triers’ rule over the running and riding of Granakey at Kempton on January 2.
He was riding as a freelance by that time and he found it a struggle as he didn't have a big yard behind him and there were too many jockeys chasing too few rides. His career received a further setback in March 2008, when he was banned for 60 days after a BHA disciplinary panel in February found he had contravened the ‘non-triers’ rule over the running and riding of Granakey at Kempton on January 2.
Jamie subsequently landed a position as second jockey to Sir Mark Prescott for a few years but he was kidding himself he could make a go of it.
Jamie subsequently landed a position as second jockey to Sir Mark Prescott for a few years but he was kidding himself he could make a go of it.
He rode what was to prove his last winner on Absent Amy for Alastair Lidderdale in a class 5 fillies’ handicap at Lingfield on June 20, 2013. He announced his retirement early in 2014, having realised that he had hardly made a living for the previous seven years. He had his final ride on the Willie Musson-trained Bold Adventure, who finished second in a class 6 handicap on the all-weather at Kempton on January 30.
He rode what was to prove his last winner on Absent Amy for Alastair Lidderdale in a class 5 fillies’ handicap at Lingfield on June 20, 2013. He announced his retirement early in 2014, having realised that he had hardly made a living for the previous seven years. He had his final ride on the Willie Musson-trained Bold Adventure, who finished second in a class 6 handicap on the all-weather at Kempton on January 30.
He has never regretted getting out when he did. He is now employed by Godolphin as a work-rider for Charlie Appleby, describing it as the best move he ever made.
He has never regretted getting out when he did. He is now employed by Godolphin as a work-rider for Charlie Appleby, describing it as the best move he ever made.
Since quitting race-riding, Jamie has twice returned to ride in the Leger Legends race at Doncaster. In 2017 he finished 13th of 14 on Lawrence Mullaney’s Diamond Runner, and in 2018 he came 15th of 16 on Derek Shaw’s Hammer Gun.
Since quitting race-riding, Jamie has twice returned to ride in the Leger Legends race at Doncaster. In 2017 he finished 13th of 14 on Lawrence Mullaney’s Diamond Runner, and in 2018 he came 15th of 16 on Derek Shaw’s Hammer Gun.