Michael Stainton
Born on 18 December 1983, northern-based Flat jockey Michael Stainton served his apprenticeship initially with Bryan Smart before completing it with Richard Whittaker. He rode his first winner in 2003.
Born on 18 December 1983, northern-based Flat jockey Michael Stainton served his apprenticeship initially with Bryan Smart before completing it with Richard Whittaker. He rode his first winner in 2003.
He enjoyed his best seasons in 2007 with 24 wins from 252 mounts, and equalled that score in 2010 from 240 rides. However, in 2014 he had just one win from 60 rides.
He enjoyed his best seasons in 2007 with 24 wins from 252 mounts, and equalled that score in 2010 from 240 rides. However, in 2014 he had just one win from 60 rides.
Michael had ridden only eight winners in three seasons when he was found guilty in July 2015 of being part of a conspiracy with former owner and punter David Greenwood over the running and riding of Ad Vitam in 2011 and 2012. He denied the charges but lost an appeal in January 2016. He was banned for two years for a corruption offence.
Michael had ridden only eight winners in three seasons when he was found guilty in July 2015 of being part of a conspiracy with former owner and punter David Greenwood over the running and riding of Ad Vitam in 2011 and 2012. He denied the charges but lost an appeal in January 2016. He was banned for two years for a corruption offence.
The British Horseracing Authority’s disciplinary panel found that he had conspired with Greenwood to ensure that his horse Ad Vitam ran down the field in four races between November 2011 and February 2012. The panel decided that he did so in order to set up an attempted betting coup by Greenwood at a later date and not to ensure that “lay” bets on exchanges were winners.
The British Horseracing Authority’s disciplinary panel found that he had conspired with Greenwood to ensure that his horse Ad Vitam ran down the field in four races between November 2011 and February 2012. The panel decided that he did so in order to set up an attempted betting coup by Greenwood at a later date and not to ensure that “lay” bets on exchanges were winners.
It was widely considered as a harsh sentence, given that the BHA’s most serious allegation – that Ad Vitam was stopped for lay betting purposes – was found not to be the case, he was instead found guilty of what amounted to being instructed to give a horse an easy run for handicapping purposes.
It was widely considered as a harsh sentence, given that the BHA’s most serious allegation – that Ad Vitam was stopped for lay betting purposes – was found not to be the case, he was instead found guilty of what amounted to being instructed to give a horse an easy run for handicapping purposes.
Having been involved in racing for 16 years, Michael found himself out on a limb. He spent the two years doing labouring work in his home town of Middleham.
Having been involved in racing for 16 years, Michael found himself out on a limb. He spent the two years doing labouring work in his home town of Middleham.
When the ban ended, Michael, then aged 34, returned to action and struck on his second ride back on the Chris Fairhurst-trained Benadalid at Chester on 30 June 2018. The following month he was in the winner's enclosure again when scoring on Double Reflection for Karl Burke at Leicester, making it two winners from his first four rides back.
When the ban ended, Michael, then aged 34, returned to action and struck on his second ride back on the Chris Fairhurst-trained Benadalid at Chester on 30 June 2018. The following month he was in the winner's enclosure again when scoring on Double Reflection for Karl Burke at Leicester, making it two winners from his first four rides back.
Despite that promising start, Michael found the going tough, finishing the year with four winners, then adding two more from 28 rides in 2019, the last of them on 50-1 outsider Lasting Legacy for Chris Fairhurst in a seven-furlong fillies’ race at Newcastle on 17 September 2019.
Despite that promising start, Michael found the going tough, finishing the year with four winners, then adding two more from 28 rides in 2019, the last of them on 50-1 outsider Lasting Legacy for Chris Fairhurst in a seven-furlong fillies’ race at Newcastle on 17 September 2019.
Had just two rides in 2020 before hanging up his boots, the last of them when finishing eighth of ten on the Karl Burke-trained Bursea Lady in a six-furlong fillies’ novice stakes at Wolverhampton on 2 March 2020.
Had just two rides in 2020 before hanging up his boots, the last of them when finishing eighth of ten on the Karl Burke-trained Bursea Lady in a six-furlong fillies’ novice stakes at Wolverhampton on 2 March 2020.