Philip Mitchell
Philip Mitchell was born in Banstead, Surrey on June 22, 1948, the son of successful Epsom trainer Cyril Mitchell.
Philip Mitchell was born in Banstead, Surrey on June 22, 1948, the son of successful Epsom trainer Cyril Mitchell.
After having a metal pin inserted into his hip as a teenager, Philip was told that he would never ride properly again. However, he disproved this in no uncertain manner by becoming one of the most successful amateur riders in post-war Britain, winning 65 races from just 128 rides and being crowned champion amateur rider five times.
After having a metal pin inserted into his hip as a teenager, Philip was told that he would never ride properly again. However, he disproved this in no uncertain manner by becoming one of the most successful amateur riders in post-war Britain, winning 65 races from just 128 rides and being crowned champion amateur rider five times.
He had his first ride in public aged 16, and his first winner at 18, aboard the Ryan Jarvis-trained Creditable in the Stuart Amateur Plate at Haydock Park on August 10, 1966.
He had his first ride in public aged 16, and his first winner at 18, aboard the Ryan Jarvis-trained Creditable in the Stuart Amateur Plate at Haydock Park on August 10, 1966.
He was champion amateur on the Flat in four consecutive years from 1967 to 1970 and again in 1972. His victories included Epsom’s Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum – the amateur riders’ Derby – four times: on Patron Saint (1967) and New Member (1969), both for trainer Sam Armstrong; Inishmaan for Fred Rimell in 1970, and Robert Armstrong’s Laurentian Hills, who beat Sea Pigeon by half a length in 1974.
He was champion amateur on the Flat in four consecutive years from 1967 to 1970 and again in 1972. His victories included Epsom’s Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum – the amateur riders’ Derby – four times: on Patron Saint (1967) and New Member (1969), both for trainer Sam Armstrong; Inishmaan for Fred Rimell in 1970, and Robert Armstrong’s Laurentian Hills, who beat Sea Pigeon by half a length in 1974.
He also won the Roamer of Switzerland Amateur Riders’ Stakes at Newmarket four times, on Patron Saint (1967), The Square (1970), White Prince (1972) and Bolero (1973). His other British victories included the Royal Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Tangiers Stakes at Kempton.
He also won the Roamer of Switzerland Amateur Riders’ Stakes at Newmarket four times, on Patron Saint (1967), The Square (1970), White Prince (1972) and Bolero (1973). His other British victories included the Royal Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Tangiers Stakes at Kempton.
However, the best horse he rode was Arthur Budgett’s Petty Officer, who, in 1971, gave Philip two of his biggest days in the saddle when winning the Prix Georges Courtois at Deauville and the Prix Aly Khan at Chantilly.
However, the best horse he rode was Arthur Budgett’s Petty Officer, who, in 1971, gave Philip two of his biggest days in the saddle when winning the Prix Georges Courtois at Deauville and the Prix Aly Khan at Chantilly.
Although he focused almost exclusively on the Flat, Philip had seven rides over hurdles during the 1970/71 National Hunt season. The first of those was a winner, Good Foundation for Malton trainer Frank Carr in an amateur riders’ novices’ hurdle at Kelso on November 10, 1970. He rode another winner for Carr later that season, Dan Bornu, in a similar amateur riders’ contest at Newcastle on January 12, 1971.
Although he focused almost exclusively on the Flat, Philip had seven rides over hurdles during the 1970/71 National Hunt season. The first of those was a winner, Good Foundation for Malton trainer Frank Carr in an amateur riders’ novices’ hurdle at Kelso on November 10, 1970. He rode another winner for Carr later that season, Dan Bornu, in a similar amateur riders’ contest at Newcastle on January 12, 1971.
Having been assistant to his father at Downs House, Epsom, since 1967, he eventually took over the running of the stable in November 1974. Among the horses he inherited was Peter O’Sullevan’s popular dual-purpose performer Attivo. Over the course of the next five years, Philip saddled him to win races on the Flat and over hurdles, even coming third in a hot Ascot novice chase at the age of ten. Sir Peter had been an owner with Philip’s father since the early 1950s and continued to have horses with his son until his death, his winners including the likes of Amigos and Lingfield specialist Amigo. Lasting over 60 years, it must rank as one of the longest-lasting relationships between an owner and one training family.
Having been assistant to his father at Downs House, Epsom, since 1967, he eventually took over the running of the stable in November 1974. Among the horses he inherited was Peter O’Sullevan’s popular dual-purpose performer Attivo. Over the course of the next five years, Philip saddled him to win races on the Flat and over hurdles, even coming third in a hot Ascot novice chase at the age of ten. Sir Peter had been an owner with Philip’s father since the early 1950s and continued to have horses with his son until his death, his winners including the likes of Amigos and Lingfield specialist Amigo. Lasting over 60 years, it must rank as one of the longest-lasting relationships between an owner and one training family.
Philip’s very first runner on the Flat was a winner, and a Group 2 winner at that, the Italian-bred Salado, whom he saddled to win the 1975 John Porter Stakes. Another early stable star was Telsmoss, whose four victories in 1978 included Windsor’s Quortina Challenge Cup and Epsom’s Steve Donoghue Apprentice Handicap when ridden by Bryn Crossley, and the Crown Plus Two Apprentice Championship Final in the hands of Shaun Payne.
Philip’s very first runner on the Flat was a winner, and a Group 2 winner at that, the Italian-bred Salado, whom he saddled to win the 1975 John Porter Stakes. Another early stable star was Telsmoss, whose four victories in 1978 included Windsor’s Quortina Challenge Cup and Epsom’s Steve Donoghue Apprentice Handicap when ridden by Bryn Crossley, and the Crown Plus Two Apprentice Championship Final in the hands of Shaun Payne.
Sylvan Barbarosa gave Philip a Royal Ascot success when landing the 1983 Cork and Orrery Stakes. Then came Sylvan Express, who, following wins in two valuable back-end nurseries at Ascot and Newmarket in 1985, won Hamburg’s Group 3 Pokal-Sprinter Preis at three, followed as a four-year-old by the Group 3 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh and the Listed Grosser Sprint Preis at Munich. Sylvan Express ran in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Hollywood Park in 1987 and again at Churchill Downs in 1988, following which he stayed in America and won five Group 3 races for his new trainer over the course of the next two years.
Sylvan Barbarosa gave Philip a Royal Ascot success when landing the 1983 Cork and Orrery Stakes. Then came Sylvan Express, who, following wins in two valuable back-end nurseries at Ascot and Newmarket in 1985, won Hamburg’s Group 3 Pokal-Sprinter Preis at three, followed as a four-year-old by the Group 3 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh and the Listed Grosser Sprint Preis at Munich. Sylvan Express ran in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Hollywood Park in 1987 and again at Churchill Downs in 1988, following which he stayed in America and won five Group 3 races for his new trainer over the course of the next two years.
The first half of the 1990s was, by comparison, a lean time for Philip, caused not by any lack of ability but by the disappearance of owners, many of whom were involved with banking institutions and suffered acute financial losses. That caused the number of horses in his yard to dwindle from around 40 horses to just half that number.
The first half of the 1990s was, by comparison, a lean time for Philip, caused not by any lack of ability but by the disappearance of owners, many of whom were involved with banking institutions and suffered acute financial losses. That caused the number of horses in his yard to dwindle from around 40 horses to just half that number.
He admits: “I got very close to saying ‘stuff it’. From 1991 to 1995, I woke up every morning wondering how I would manage to pay the next bill or even pay the wages. I only had a few horses and they were so moderate that I didn’t even look forward to going racing with them. I had used up all the savings I’d scraped together and I was pouring money into a bottomless pit. It was soul-destroying.”
He admits: “I got very close to saying ‘stuff it’. From 1991 to 1995, I woke up every morning wondering how I would manage to pay the next bill or even pay the wages. I only had a few horses and they were so moderate that I didn’t even look forward to going racing with them. I had used up all the savings I’d scraped together and I was pouring money into a bottomless pit. It was soul-destroying.”
But then along came the globe-trotting Running Stag, carrying the white and orange silks of owner Richard Cohen. Philip had never been afraid to run his horses in foreign climes when he thought they had a chance, but Running Stag achieved far more than most. Having won Lingfield’s Winter Derby in 1998, he headed to Deauville in August where he landed the Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron. He was then shipped to New York and elevated to Grade 1 company, finishing third in the Woodward Stakes and fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, then finishing just six lengths behind the winner when seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
But then along came the globe-trotting Running Stag, carrying the white and orange silks of owner Richard Cohen. Philip had never been afraid to run his horses in foreign climes when he thought they had a chance, but Running Stag achieved far more than most. Having won Lingfield’s Winter Derby in 1998, he headed to Deauville in August where he landed the Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron. He was then shipped to New York and elevated to Grade 1 company, finishing third in the Woodward Stakes and fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, then finishing just six lengths behind the winner when seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
In late May 1999, Running Stag arrived at Suffolk Downs, in Boston, for the Grade 2 Massachusetts Handicap, his opponents including Behrens, the best older horse in America at the time, and the previous year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Real Quiet. ‘Stag’ split the two, finishing a highly-creditable second. He then returned to New York to win a brace of Grade 2 contests, the Brooklyn at Belmont and the Saratoga Breeders’ Cup Handicap. In so doing, he became the first British-trained horse – and remains the only one thus far – to win a stakes race at Saratoga in the course’s 150-plus-year history.
In late May 1999, Running Stag arrived at Suffolk Downs, in Boston, for the Grade 2 Massachusetts Handicap, his opponents including Behrens, the best older horse in America at the time, and the previous year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Real Quiet. ‘Stag’ split the two, finishing a highly-creditable second. He then returned to New York to win a brace of Grade 2 contests, the Brooklyn at Belmont and the Saratoga Breeders’ Cup Handicap. In so doing, he became the first British-trained horse – and remains the only one thus far – to win a stakes race at Saratoga in the course’s 150-plus-year history.
Having then finished fourth, beaten less than two lengths, in the Grade 1 Woodward, Running Stag journeyed to Hong Kong, where he finished second to Jim And Tonic in the 1999 Group 1 Hong Kong Cup. The next stop was Nad Al Sheba, where, after finishing second in a warm-up race there, he was prominent turning for home in the 2000 Dubai World Cup, only to weaken inside the final furlong as Dubai Millennium strode to victory.
Having then finished fourth, beaten less than two lengths, in the Grade 1 Woodward, Running Stag journeyed to Hong Kong, where he finished second to Jim And Tonic in the 1999 Group 1 Hong Kong Cup. The next stop was Nad Al Sheba, where, after finishing second in a warm-up race there, he was prominent turning for home in the 2000 Dubai World Cup, only to weaken inside the final furlong as Dubai Millennium strode to victory.
Then it was back to Boston for a second tilt at the 2000 Massachusetts Handicap, in which Running Stag became the first European-trained winner of Suffolk Downs’ flagship race. He ran three more times in America that year, finishing sixth behind Chester House in the last of those, the Arlington Million, after which he was retired to stud.
Then it was back to Boston for a second tilt at the 2000 Massachusetts Handicap, in which Running Stag became the first European-trained winner of Suffolk Downs’ flagship race. He ran three more times in America that year, finishing sixth behind Chester House in the last of those, the Arlington Million, after which he was retired to stud.
Following the glory days of Running Stag, Philip endured an abortive five-year battle with Epsom District Council for the renewal of his lease at Downs House Stables. The Council refused to grant it, despite a condition in the lease which stipulated that the property was for use purely as a training stable and thus had to be occupied for that purpose. Philip was left with no option but to leave in 2012. It was a sad end to the family's long connection with Downs House Stables. Since his departure, the property has shamefully been allowed by the District Council to fall into neglect and disrepair.
Following the glory days of Running Stag, Philip endured an abortive five-year battle with Epsom District Council for the renewal of his lease at Downs House Stables. The Council refused to grant it, despite a condition in the lease which stipulated that the property was for use purely as a training stable and thus had to be occupied for that purpose. Philip was left with no option but to leave in 2012. It was a sad end to the family's long connection with Downs House Stables. Since his departure, the property has shamefully been allowed by the District Council to fall into neglect and disrepair.
Philip moved into the horse transport business, which he still does today. His son Jack is a successful jockey on the Flat, while in 2013, another son, Freddie, then aged 19, become the youngest ever Federation of Gentleman Amateur Riders World Champion after riding winners in Doha, St Moritz, Düsseldorf, Baden-Baden and Philadelphia.
Philip moved into the horse transport business, which he still does today. His son Jack is a successful jockey on the Flat, while in 2013, another son, Freddie, then aged 19, become the youngest ever Federation of Gentleman Amateur Riders World Champion after riding winners in Doha, St Moritz, Düsseldorf, Baden-Baden and Philadelphia.