Mac Turner
1938 - 2013
1938 - 2013
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
James Archibald McKinnon Turner – always known as Mac Turner – was born on May 19, 1938 and enjoyed a near 30-year relationship with various Northern yards as a dual purpose jockey, travelling head lad and trainer before spending more than two decades working as an assistant starter. He won a race on a dual King George VI Steeplechase hero and trained the winner of a Chester Cup in his first year with a licence.
James Archibald McKinnon Turner – always known as Mac Turner – was born on May 19, 1938 and enjoyed a near 30-year relationship with various Northern yards as a dual purpose jockey, travelling head lad and trainer before spending more than two decades working as an assistant starter. He won a race on a dual King George VI Steeplechase hero and trained the winner of a Chester Cup in his first year with a licence.
Mac Turner began his racing career with Harry Peacock in Richmond and, after completing his National Service, joined Buster Fenningworth, for whom he was both travelling head lad and second jockey. He rode his first winner on 10/1 shot Waydette in the Tweed Maiden Plate at Newcastle on May 9, 1964 and went on to ride
Mac Turner began his racing career with Harry Peacock in Richmond and, after completing his National Service, joined Buster Fenningworth, for whom he was both travelling head lad and second jockey. He rode his first winner on 10/1 shot Waydette in the Tweed Maiden Plate at Newcastle on May 9, 1964 and went on to ride
three more winners that season, all for Fenningworth, namely: Miller’s Neuk at Stockton on July 27, Opera Cycle at Ripon on August 3, and two-year-old Matsur at Ayr’s Western Meeting on September 16.
three more winners that season, all for Fenningworth, namely: Miller’s Neuk at Stockton on July 27, Opera Cycle at Ripon on August 3, and two-year-old Matsur at Ayr’s Western Meeting on September 16.
He rode three winners in 1965 and later that year scored his first success over hurdles on Buster Fenningworth’s Yes Yes in the Dun Cow (3yo) Hurdle at Sedgefield on December 11, 1965. He rode one more winner that jumps season, Fenningworth’s four-year-old Monarch’s Match at Wetherby in March 1966.
He rode three winners in 1965 and later that year scored his first success over hurdles on Buster Fenningworth’s Yes Yes in the Dun Cow (3yo) Hurdle at Sedgefield on December 11, 1965. He rode one more winner that jumps season, Fenningworth’s four-year-old Monarch’s Match at Wetherby in March 1966.
The 1966 Flat campaign yielded just one winner, Ardice, at Ayr on June 18. However, Mac made a bright start to 1967 with victory on Buster Fenningworth’s three-year-old Bio Boy at Teesside Park on March 25. But within a month, Fenningworth was dead, following a car crash at Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, on April 22 while on his way to Ayr races.
The 1966 Flat campaign yielded just one winner, Ardice, at Ayr on June 18. However, Mac made a bright start to 1967 with victory on Buster Fenningworth’s three-year-old Bio Boy at Teesside Park on March 25. But within a month, Fenningworth was dead, following a car crash at Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, on April 22 while on his way to Ayr races.
Easily the best horse Mac rode over jumps was the future ‘King George’ winner Pendil, on whom he landed a Catterick juvenile hurdle on October 19, 1968. Pendil was then trained by Boston Spa, Yorkshire, permit holder Donald Macdonald, but would progress to scale far greater heights than Catterick Bridge when under the care of Fred Winter.
Easily the best horse Mac rode over jumps was the future ‘King George’ winner Pendil, on whom he landed a Catterick juvenile hurdle on October 19, 1968. Pendil was then trained by Boston Spa, Yorkshire, permit holder Donald Macdonald, but would progress to scale far greater heights than Catterick Bridge when under the care of Fred Winter.
Mac’s rode the last of his nine winners over hurdles on Gitchemanito at Nottingham on May 18, 1970. He finished his career on the Flat riding at second jockey to Wetherby-based trainer Norman Bradley, who provided Mac with the last two winners of his career, both in 1972: Thomas Edward at Carlisle on May 18, and 25/1 outsider Negante in a two-year-old seller at Nottingham on October 23.
Mac’s rode the last of his nine winners over hurdles on Gitchemanito at Nottingham on May 18, 1970. He finished his career on the Flat riding at second jockey to Wetherby-based trainer Norman Bradley, who provided Mac with the last two winners of his career, both in 1972: Thomas Edward at Carlisle on May 18, and 25/1 outsider Negante in a two-year-old seller at Nottingham on October 23.
Mac retired from the saddle at the end of that season and set up as private trainer to Jack Hanson at Sickilinghall, near Wetherby. He made the perfect start, sending out Crisalgo to win the 1973 Chester Cup under Walter Bentley. Mac went on to train in his own right, relinquishing his licence in 1979. He then joined the Jockey Club in 1980 and worked as a starter’s assistant until his retirement in 2003.
Mac retired from the saddle at the end of that season and set up as private trainer to Jack Hanson at Sickilinghall, near Wetherby. He made the perfect start, sending out Crisalgo to win the 1973 Chester Cup under Walter Bentley. Mac went on to train in his own right, relinquishing his licence in 1979. He then joined the Jockey Club in 1980 and worked as a starter’s assistant until his retirement in 2003.
Mac Turner died in November 2013, aged 75, following a short illness. His funeral took place on December 6, at Darlington Crematorium.
Mac Turner died in November 2013, aged 75, following a short illness. His funeral took place on December 6, at Darlington Crematorium.