Sammy Millbanks

The son of a steelworker, Sammy Millbanks was born on December 22, 1931, at Blackley, Manchester. Sammy's older brother worked in Henry Jelliss's stable at Newmarket prompting Sam to write to Harvey Leader, who also trained at Newmarket.

Sammy was taken on and rode his first winner on Denikin at Newmarket. He won again on the same horse a month later and won six races on Denikin altogether.

When his apprenticeship ended in 1954, he joined Ken Cundell's stable at Compton as lightweight and, moving to Lambourn 18 months later, turned freelance.

His biggest success came on Hollyhock when landing a big race double, the Great Metropolitan and the Queen's Prize, both in 1958.

But he was never going to be the world's greatest jockey.

In 1961, then 29 years old, Sammy - dismounting from his 150th consecutive loser - declared how lucky he was inasmuch that 'I don't let a thing like this bother me. I get paid just the same and take everything as it comes'.

His racings days behind him, Sammy bought a pub in Lambourn High Street, "The Sawyer's Arms", and changed its name to The Paddock Inn.

In August 1974, Sammy was given a 12 month suspended sentence for setting fire to it.

Sammy finished up selling racing tips.

Big winners

1957: Welsh Stewards Cup – Rum Fun

1958: Queen’s Prize – Hollyhock

1958: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Hollyhock

1959: Queen Elizabeth Cup – Golden Thread

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