Tony McGlone
Anthony David McGlone was born in Ludgershall, Andover, Hampshire on January 10 1963. Ginger-haired Tony, son of one of trainer Richard Hannon's senior staff, was actually born in the village next door to the stable and worked in its yard from a toddler.
Anthony David McGlone was born in Ludgershall, Andover, Hampshire on January 10 1963. Ginger-haired Tony, son of one of trainer Richard Hannon's senior staff, was actually born in the village next door to the stable and worked in its yard from a toddler.
He rode his first winner , Ash Gayle, on April 15, 1980, at Wolverhampton.
He rode his first winner , Ash Gayle, on April 15, 1980, at Wolverhampton.
His greatest win was on Melindra in the 1983 Wokingham Stakes. This, numerically, was also his best year, with 32 winners.
His greatest win was on Melindra in the 1983 Wokingham Stakes. This, numerically, was also his best year, with 32 winners.
Tony also rode abroad, competing in France, Italy and Ireland.
Tony also rode abroad, competing in France, Italy and Ireland.
He rode more than 600 winners before becoming a work rider for the Godolphin operation. Later, in 2004, he became a Stipendiary Steward working for the Jockey Club.
He rode more than 600 winners before becoming a work rider for the Godolphin operation. Later, in 2004, he became a Stipendiary Steward working for the Jockey Club.
When, in July, 1993, Henry Cecil's stable jockey Willie Ryan - who had declared his intention of leaving Cecil to ride abroad - changed his mind, it was a bitter blow to Tony, who, having worked as stable jockey number two for 14 years, had expected to succeed him.
When, in July, 1993, Henry Cecil's stable jockey Willie Ryan - who had declared his intention of leaving Cecil to ride abroad - changed his mind, it was a bitter blow to Tony, who, having worked as stable jockey number two for 14 years, had expected to succeed him.
Henry Cecil said at the time 'It was originally a spur of the moment decision by Willie to go to Hong Kong. He has been with me for nine years so if he now wants to stay then he can continue with me. It is disappointing for Tony because he deserved the break. I would like to give him more rides than I do and, fingers crossed, I still can.'
Henry Cecil said at the time 'It was originally a spur of the moment decision by Willie to go to Hong Kong. He has been with me for nine years so if he now wants to stay then he can continue with me. It is disappointing for Tony because he deserved the break. I would like to give him more rides than I do and, fingers crossed, I still can.'
Tony said 'When you're riding good horses it's like a snowball, it generates interest. When I first started riding for Mr Cecil it gave me credibility, so I was starting to ride for people like John Dunlop too. I've ridden 16 winners so far this year, and I was thinking that when the two-year-olds start running I could end up with 45 or 50 this year, and my best total is 32.'
Tony said 'When you're riding good horses it's like a snowball, it generates interest. When I first started riding for Mr Cecil it gave me credibility, so I was starting to ride for people like John Dunlop too. I've ridden 16 winners so far this year, and I was thinking that when the two-year-olds start running I could end up with 45 or 50 this year, and my best total is 32.'
It was not to be, and Tony was back on high-mileage, low-yield of the average jockey.
It was not to be, and Tony was back on high-mileage, low-yield of the average jockey.
On this, Tony once commented 'Last year I never made a penny basically, everything that I earned went on expenses. My profit from today will be very minimal, what with petrol, the wear and tear on your car and then your valet fees. With two rides, unless one of them wins you're really doing it for nothing.'
On this, Tony once commented 'Last year I never made a penny basically, everything that I earned went on expenses. My profit from today will be very minimal, what with petrol, the wear and tear on your car and then your valet fees. With two rides, unless one of them wins you're really doing it for nothing.'
Or, put another way, for love. 'I've got a picture of me when I was three, on the arm of a settee, riding a finish with a helmet and whip, so it was always in the blood. I never wanted to do anything else, I love riding in races and I love the horses. It sounds a bit mushy, but that's the way it is.'
Or, put another way, for love. 'I've got a picture of me when I was three, on the arm of a settee, riding a finish with a helmet and whip, so it was always in the blood. I never wanted to do anything else, I love riding in races and I love the horses. It sounds a bit mushy, but that's the way it is.'
He added 'I've had a couple of offers to ride in places like Germany, but you can't beat here, not when you're working for somebody like H Cecil. He's the best, and you don't go leaving the best for something else. You stick with it.'
He added 'I've had a couple of offers to ride in places like Germany, but you can't beat here, not when you're working for somebody like H Cecil. He's the best, and you don't go leaving the best for something else. You stick with it.'
He continued 'The Woosnams and Faldos, they're in hotels, but that's like the top 10 or 15 jockeys. The rest of them have got a caravan behind them, or they're sharing a room, four of them in a bedsit, just for the privilege of doing it.
He continued 'The Woosnams and Faldos, they're in hotels, but that's like the top 10 or 15 jockeys. The rest of them have got a caravan behind them, or they're sharing a room, four of them in a bedsit, just for the privilege of doing it.
'And hopefully one day they break into the big stuff.'
'And hopefully one day they break into the big stuff.'
In November, 2001, the 38. Tony brought his 22-year riding career in Britain to a close, citing 'economic' reaasons.
In November, 2001, the 38. Tony brought his 22-year riding career in Britain to a close, citing 'economic' reaasons.
He said "I'm going to Dubai to work for Godolphin this winter and I'll take out my licence over there, but I'm not planning to ride in Britain again. It's not something I wanted to do, because I love race-riding, but it's got to the stage where I'm not making a living. I have a family and you've got to put them first."
He said "I'm going to Dubai to work for Godolphin this winter and I'll take out my licence over there, but I'm not planning to ride in Britain again. It's not something I wanted to do, because I love race-riding, but it's got to the stage where I'm not making a living. I have a family and you've got to put them first."
Tony was given a fitting send-off by his fellow jockeys at Doncaster, which included being presented with a bottle of champagne by Pat Eddery.
Tony was given a fitting send-off by his fellow jockeys at Doncaster, which included being presented with a bottle of champagne by Pat Eddery.
Highlights of his career included winning the Barbados Guineas in 1983 and the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot on Melindra in the same year.
Highlights of his career included winning the Barbados Guineas in 1983 and the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot on Melindra in the same year.
In all, he had ridden some 600 winners.
In all, he had ridden some 600 winners.
Tony was only banned once for a riding offence when, in 1980, he 'knocked over' (as he put it) Brian Taylor and Lester Piggott.
Tony was only banned once for a riding offence when, in 1980, he 'knocked over' (as he put it) Brian Taylor and Lester Piggott.
In November 2012, Tony, in his role as Stipendry Steward, suspended jockey Michael Hills. He said 'Michael failed his first breath test and fifteen minutes later was asked to take another one. Unfortunately, he failed that as well.'
In November 2012, Tony, in his role as Stipendry Steward, suspended jockey Michael Hills. He said 'Michael failed his first breath test and fifteen minutes later was asked to take another one. Unfortunately, he failed that as well.'
Tony lived at Newmarket with his wife Fiona and two sons, Sean and Liam.
Tony lived at Newmarket with his wife Fiona and two sons, Sean and Liam.
He is the son of the former jump jockey Barney McGlone (born 30 May, 1922 - died March, 2006).
He is the son of the former jump jockey Barney McGlone (born 30 May, 1922 - died March, 2006).
Tony enjoyed football and squash.
Tony enjoyed football and squash.
Big winners
Big winners
1983: Wokingham Stakes – Melindra
1983: Wokingham Stakes – Melindra
1985: Great Jubilee Handicap – Portogon
1985: Great Jubilee Handicap – Portogon
1987: Kuwait Derby – Saare
1987: Kuwait Derby – Saare
1997: Dee Stakes – Crystal Hearted
1997: Dee Stakes – Crystal Hearted