Manny Mercer

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. 

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. 

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 was the son of Mr E. L. Mercer, of Heaviley, near Stockport.

He died in the same year as his former master, George Colling.

Manny's first win was Booby Trap on June 16, 1945.

His last winner was Diffidence at Ascot on September 24 1959. 

He rode a total of 978 winners.

Classic winners:

One Thousand Guineas: Happy Laughter (1953)

Two Thousand Guineas: Darius (1954)

Other big winners:

1949: Lincolnshire Handicap – Jockey Treble 

1951: Victoria Cup – Fastnet Rock 

1951: Queen Mary Stakes – Primavera

1951: Rous Memorial Stakes – Red Tears 

1951: Cesarewitch Handicap – Three Cheers 

1952: Jockey Club Stakes – Mister Cube 

1952: Chester Vase – Summer Rain 

1952: Queen Mary Stakes – Devon Vintage 

1952: Jersey Stakes – Kara Tepe  

1952: Cork and Orrery Stakes – Royal Serenade 

1952: Rous Memorial Stakes – Wilwyn 

1953: Chester Vase – Empire Honey  

1953: Queen Anne Stakes – Argur 

1953: Queen Mary Stakes – Sybil’s Niece 

1953: Britannia Stakes – Stormy Hour 

1953: Champagne Stakes – Darius 

1953: Ayr Gold Cup – Blue Butterfly 

1953: Challenge Stakes – Parakeet 

1954: St James’s Palace Stakes – Darius 

1954: Princess Royal Stakes – Dust Storm

1955: Lincolnshire Handicap – Military Court 

1955: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Ark Royal 

1955: Queen’s Vase – Prince Barle 

1955: Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Plate – Lady Midge 

1955: Yorkshire Oaks – Ark Royal 

1955: Park Hill Stakes – Ark Royal 

1955: Princess Royal Stakes – Nemora 

1956: Coventry Stakes – Messmate

1956: King George V Handicap – Donald

1956: Park Hill Stakes – Kyak 

1957: King George V Handicap – Clouds

1957: Windsor Castle Stakes – Rich And Rare 

1957: Chesterfield Cup – Rowland Ward 

1957: Cheveley Park Stakes – Rich And Rare 

1958: Bessborough Stakes – Huguenot 

1958: Old Newton Cup – Huguenot 

1958: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Donna 

1958: National Stakes – Captain Kidd 

1958: Melrose Handicap – Persian Road 

1958: Galtres Stakes – Temptress 

1958: Park Hill Stakes – Cutter 

1958: Cheveley Park Stakes – Lindsay 

1959: Warwickshire Breeders’ Stakes – Bourbon 

1959: Yorkshire Cup – Cutter 

In Ireland

1956: Irish Derby – Talgo 

1956: Irish Oaks – Garden State

1959: Irish Oaks – Discorea 

In America

1952: Washington DC International – Wilwyn