Manny Mercer
1928 - 1959
1928 - 1959
Emmanuel Lionel Mercer (always known as Manny) was born on November 15, 1928, at 103, Bolton Road, Bradford, and began his apprenticeship in 1945 with Australian James Russell (died 1961) who trained at Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire.
Emmanuel Lionel Mercer (always known as Manny) was born on November 15, 1928, at 103, Bolton Road, Bradford, and began his apprenticeship in 1945 with Australian James Russell (died 1961) who trained at Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire.
Manny won the 1947 Lincoln Handicap for him on the 100-1 shot Jockey Treble (originally named Bawler and owned by a Doncaster bookmaker): however, Russell lost his licence the same year after a horse in his charge, Boston Boro, was found to have been doped after winning the John O'Gaunt Stakes at Lincoln.
Manny won the 1947 Lincoln Handicap for him on the 100-1 shot Jockey Treble (originally named Bawler and owned by a Doncaster bookmaker): however, Russell lost his licence the same year after a horse in his charge, Boston Boro, was found to have been doped after winning the John O'Gaunt Stakes at Lincoln.
Because of this, Manny's indentures were transferred to George Colling ay Newmarket.
Because of this, Manny's indentures were transferred to George Colling ay Newmarket.
It was here that he met and received invaluable tuition from former champion jockey Charlie Elliott.
It was here that he met and received invaluable tuition from former champion jockey Charlie Elliott.
Through Elliott, Manny became a brilliant stylist. Colling also gave the young jockey every encouragement and opportunity: consequently, when Manny came out of his time, he remained fiercely loyal to the trainer, refusing to accept the large retainers offered him from other stables.
Through Elliott, Manny became a brilliant stylist. Colling also gave the young jockey every encouragement and opportunity: consequently, when Manny came out of his time, he remained fiercely loyal to the trainer, refusing to accept the large retainers offered him from other stables.
Manny rode 37 winners in 1950, and came fourth in the jockeys' table in 1951 with 97 winners.
Manny rode 37 winners in 1950, and came fourth in the jockeys' table in 1951 with 97 winners.
In 1952 Manny rode Wilwyn to win the first running of the Washington International (left) at Laurel Park for his old mentor, George Colling.
In 1952 Manny rode Wilwyn to win the first running of the Washington International (left) at Laurel Park for his old mentor, George Colling.
In his last full season, Manny rode 125 winners, his highest ever tally. He also reached three figures in 1953 (110), 1956 (104) & 1957 (105).
In his last full season, Manny rode 125 winners, his highest ever tally. He also reached three figures in 1953 (110), 1956 (104) & 1957 (105).
He rode regularly for Jack Jarvis and Harry Wragg, whose daughter, Susan, he married. Their daughter, Caroline, married champion jockey Pat Eddery.
He rode regularly for Jack Jarvis and Harry Wragg, whose daughter, Susan, he married. Their daughter, Caroline, married champion jockey Pat Eddery.
As Manny could still ride at 7st 13 when nearly 30, it is probable he would have become champion had he lived.
As Manny could still ride at 7st 13 when nearly 30, it is probable he would have become champion had he lived.
He was a generous man: every lad in Newmarket knew he could expect a good tip if he did a winner ridden by Manny.
He was a generous man: every lad in Newmarket knew he could expect a good tip if he did a winner ridden by Manny.
Manny was a heavy smoker whose principal interest outside racing lay in the fast cars that he loved to drive.
Manny was a heavy smoker whose principal interest outside racing lay in the fast cars that he loved to drive.
Manny was tragically killed at Ascot on 26 September, 1959.
Manny was tragically killed at Ascot on 26 September, 1959.
His mount, Priddy Fair, was following some of the other runners past the stands when she whipped round. Her hind legs slipped from under her and Manny spun from the saddle, hitting the rails as he fell.
His mount, Priddy Fair, was following some of the other runners past the stands when she whipped round. Her hind legs slipped from under her and Manny spun from the saddle, hitting the rails as he fell.
The filly, in a panic, lashed out and kicked him twice in the head.
The filly, in a panic, lashed out and kicked him twice in the head.
Fellow jockey Peter Robinson, who was following Manny in the parade said after: 'I thought at once it was serious. As we turned to canter his mount half-reared and its back legs slipped. It fell on top of him and, as it turned, it kicked him in the face,'
Fellow jockey Peter Robinson, who was following Manny in the parade said after: 'I thought at once it was serious. As we turned to canter his mount half-reared and its back legs slipped. It fell on top of him and, as it turned, it kicked him in the face,'
The stricken jockey was put on a stretcher, an ambulance summoned, and in a few minutes the doctor was making an examination.
The stricken jockey was put on a stretcher, an ambulance summoned, and in a few minutes the doctor was making an examination.
Manny's father-in-law, former jockey Harry Wragg, was there and the doctor came out a little later to tell him that Manny was dead.
Manny's father-in-law, former jockey Harry Wragg, was there and the doctor came out a little later to tell him that Manny was dead.
After a statement over the loud-speaker system from the stewards telling the crowd what had happened and announcing that the last race would be abandoned, hats came off and, with many expressions of deep regret and sympathy, the people quietly dispersed.
After a statement over the loud-speaker system from the stewards telling the crowd what had happened and announcing that the last race would be abandoned, hats came off and, with many expressions of deep regret and sympathy, the people quietly dispersed.
John Oxley, trainer of Priddy Fair, said that he filly would not be raced again. The owner, Sir Foster Robinson, sent her to his stud.
John Oxley, trainer of Priddy Fair, said that he filly would not be raced again. The owner, Sir Foster Robinson, sent her to his stud.
Manny Mercer left £36,727 and is buried at Newmarket Cemetery just by the turn-off for the Rowley Mile.
Manny Mercer left £36,727 and is buried at Newmarket Cemetery just by the turn-off for the Rowley Mile.
Manny was the son of Mr E. L. Mercer, of Heaviley, near Stockport.
Manny was the son of Mr E. L. Mercer, of Heaviley, near Stockport.
He died in the same year as his former master, George Colling.
He died in the same year as his former master, George Colling.
Manny's first win was Booby Trap on June 16, 1945.
Manny's first win was Booby Trap on June 16, 1945.
His last winner was Diffidence at Ascot on September 24 1959.
His last winner was Diffidence at Ascot on September 24 1959.
He rode a total of 978 winners.
He rode a total of 978 winners.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
One Thousand Guineas: Happy Laughter (1953)
One Thousand Guineas: Happy Laughter (1953)
Two Thousand Guineas: Darius (1954)
Two Thousand Guineas: Darius (1954)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1949: Lincolnshire Handicap – Jockey Treble
1949: Lincolnshire Handicap – Jockey Treble
1951: Victoria Cup – Fastnet Rock
1951: Victoria Cup – Fastnet Rock
1951: Queen Mary Stakes – Primavera
1951: Queen Mary Stakes – Primavera
1951: Rous Memorial Stakes – Red Tears
1951: Rous Memorial Stakes – Red Tears
1951: Cesarewitch Handicap – Three Cheers
1951: Cesarewitch Handicap – Three Cheers
1952: Jockey Club Stakes – Mister Cube
1952: Jockey Club Stakes – Mister Cube
1952: Chester Vase – Summer Rain
1952: Chester Vase – Summer Rain
1952: Queen Mary Stakes – Devon Vintage
1952: Queen Mary Stakes – Devon Vintage
1952: Jersey Stakes – Kara Tepe
1952: Jersey Stakes – Kara Tepe
1952: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Royal Serenade
1952: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Royal Serenade
1952: Rous Memorial Stakes – Wilwyn
1952: Rous Memorial Stakes – Wilwyn
1953: Chester Vase – Empire Honey
1953: Chester Vase – Empire Honey
1953: Queen Anne Stakes – Argur
1953: Queen Anne Stakes – Argur
1953: Queen Mary Stakes – Sybil’s Niece
1953: Queen Mary Stakes – Sybil’s Niece
1953: Britannia Stakes – Stormy Hour
1953: Britannia Stakes – Stormy Hour
1953: Champagne Stakes – Darius
1953: Champagne Stakes – Darius
1953: Ayr Gold Cup – Blue Butterfly
1953: Ayr Gold Cup – Blue Butterfly
1953: Challenge Stakes – Parakeet
1953: Challenge Stakes – Parakeet
1954: St James’s Palace Stakes – Darius
1954: St James’s Palace Stakes – Darius
1954: Princess Royal Stakes – Dust Storm
1954: Princess Royal Stakes – Dust Storm
1955: Lincolnshire Handicap – Military Court
1955: Lincolnshire Handicap – Military Court
1955: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Ark Royal
1955: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Ark Royal
1955: Queen’s Vase – Prince Barle
1955: Queen’s Vase – Prince Barle
1955: Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Plate – Lady Midge
1955: Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Plate – Lady Midge
1955: Yorkshire Oaks – Ark Royal
1955: Yorkshire Oaks – Ark Royal
1955: Park Hill Stakes – Ark Royal
1955: Park Hill Stakes – Ark Royal
1955: Princess Royal Stakes – Nemora
1955: Princess Royal Stakes – Nemora
1956: Coventry Stakes – Messmate
1956: Coventry Stakes – Messmate
1956: King George V Handicap – Donald
1956: King George V Handicap – Donald
1956: Park Hill Stakes – Kyak
1956: Park Hill Stakes – Kyak
1957: King George V Handicap – Clouds
1957: King George V Handicap – Clouds
1957: Windsor Castle Stakes – Rich And Rare
1957: Windsor Castle Stakes – Rich And Rare
1957: Chesterfield Cup – Rowland Ward
1957: Chesterfield Cup – Rowland Ward
1957: Cheveley Park Stakes – Rich And Rare
1957: Cheveley Park Stakes – Rich And Rare
1958: Bessborough Stakes – Huguenot
1958: Bessborough Stakes – Huguenot
1958: Old Newton Cup – Huguenot
1958: Old Newton Cup – Huguenot
1958: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Donna
1958: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Donna
1958: National Stakes – Captain Kidd
1958: National Stakes – Captain Kidd
1958: Melrose Handicap – Persian Road
1958: Melrose Handicap – Persian Road
1958: Galtres Stakes – Temptress
1958: Galtres Stakes – Temptress
1958: Park Hill Stakes – Cutter
1958: Park Hill Stakes – Cutter
1958: Cheveley Park Stakes – Lindsay
1958: Cheveley Park Stakes – Lindsay
1959: Warwickshire Breeders’ Stakes – Bourbon
1959: Warwickshire Breeders’ Stakes – Bourbon
1959: Yorkshire Cup – Cutter
1959: Yorkshire Cup – Cutter
In Ireland
In Ireland
1956: Irish Derby – Talgo
1956: Irish Derby – Talgo
1956: Irish Oaks – Garden State
1956: Irish Oaks – Garden State
1959: Irish Oaks – Discorea
1959: Irish Oaks – Discorea
In America
In America
1952: Washington DC International – Wilwyn
1952: Washington DC International – Wilwyn