Mick Stanley
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
National Hunt jockey Michael Stanley, better known as Mick, was born on May 3, 1950 and was associated with Josh Gifford’s stable throughout his career.
National Hunt jockey Michael Stanley, better known as Mick, was born on May 3, 1950 and was associated with Josh Gifford’s stable throughout his career.
Mick rode his first winner on Potentate in an opportunity handicap hurdle at Newbury on November 2, 1972. His second, Samboy, at Leicester on February 6, 1973, was particularly memorable for him as it also provided Gifford with his 100th winner as a trainer.
Mick rode his first winner on Potentate in an opportunity handicap hurdle at Newbury on November 2, 1972. His second, Samboy, at Leicester on February 6, 1973, was particularly memorable for him as it also provided Gifford with his 100th winner as a trainer.
Having ridden three winners that season, Mick’s tally rose to seven in 1973/74, including a Boxing Day success on Flying Orchid in the St Ivo Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon. Flying Orchid was also one of Mick’s six winners in 1974/75 when winning a handicap hurdle at Folkestone in December. The 1975/76 campaign was Mick’s best numerically with a score of ten. Flying Orchid, by now over fences, provided Mick with two more wins, firstly at Towcester in January and then the George Coney Challenge Cup Chase over an extended three miles five furlongs trip at Warwick on February 17. Another chasing success that term came on Mannyboy at Plumpton in February. Flying Orchid and Mannyboy were both trained by Josh Gifford but Mick also formed an association with Bedfordshire permit holder Michael Banks, in whose ‘green, yellow crossbelts’ colours he won a Doncaster selling hurdle on Sinner Man in March 1976.
Having ridden three winners that season, Mick’s tally rose to seven in 1973/74, including a Boxing Day success on Flying Orchid in the St Ivo Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon. Flying Orchid was also one of Mick’s six winners in 1974/75 when winning a handicap hurdle at Folkestone in December. The 1975/76 campaign was Mick’s best numerically with a score of ten. Flying Orchid, by now over fences, provided Mick with two more wins, firstly at Towcester in January and then the George Coney Challenge Cup Chase over an extended three miles five furlongs trip at Warwick on February 17. Another chasing success that term came on Mannyboy at Plumpton in February. Flying Orchid and Mannyboy were both trained by Josh Gifford but Mick also formed an association with Bedfordshire permit holder Michael Banks, in whose ‘green, yellow crossbelts’ colours he won a Doncaster selling hurdle on Sinner Man in March 1976.
Mick rode the first double of his career at Towcester on Easter Monday 1976, initiated by Cradenly, owner-trained by Michael Marsh (of Larbawn fame), and completed by Josh Gifford’s Warrenbayne Prince. Warrenbayne Prince then provided Mick with another Towcester bank holiday victory by landing the Northamptonshire Chronicle and Echo Cup Handicap Hurdle on Whit Monday.
Mick rode the first double of his career at Towcester on Easter Monday 1976, initiated by Cradenly, owner-trained by Michael Marsh (of Larbawn fame), and completed by Josh Gifford’s Warrenbayne Prince. Warrenbayne Prince then provided Mick with another Towcester bank holiday victory by landing the Northamptonshire Chronicle and Echo Cup Handicap Hurdle on Whit Monday.
Flying Orchid gave him a nice early Christmas present when winning the Terry Wogan Handicap Chase at Chepstow on December 22, 1976, the radio and TV personality being there in person to present the winner’s trophy.
Flying Orchid gave him a nice early Christmas present when winning the Terry Wogan Handicap Chase at Chepstow on December 22, 1976, the radio and TV personality being there in person to present the winner’s trophy.
In 1977, Mannyboy provided Mick with a televised Saturday winner when landing Sandown’s Fairmile Handicap Chase in February. He rode a further seven winners in the 1977-78 season, ending with a double at Huntingdon on Happy Call in the Stukeley Handicap Hurdle and Shore Captain in the Huntingdon Handicap hurdle.
In 1977, Mannyboy provided Mick with a televised Saturday winner when landing Sandown’s Fairmile Handicap Chase in February. He rode a further seven winners in the 1977-78 season, ending with a double at Huntingdon on Happy Call in the Stukeley Handicap Hurdle and Shore Captain in the Huntingdon Handicap hurdle.
He had his last ride later when finishing third on Mannyboy at Plumpton April 26.
He had his last ride later when finishing third on Mannyboy at Plumpton April 26.