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The son of jumps jockey/trainer Percy Wigham (1931-1998), and born in Malton on September 30, 1958, Michael was one of the many successful jockeys to graduate from Reg Hollinshead's apprentice academy at Upper Longdon.
The son of jumps jockey/trainer Percy Wigham (1931-1998), and born in Malton on September 30, 1958, Michael was one of the many successful jockeys to graduate from Reg Hollinshead's apprentice academy at Upper Longdon.
His first winner came on Highland Jig at Leicester on September 22, 1975. Three years later, he won the Lincoln on Captain Wings and, in the same year, the Royal Hunt Cup on Fear Naught.
His first winner came on Highland Jig at Leicester on September 22, 1975. Three years later, he won the Lincoln on Captain Wings and, in the same year, the Royal Hunt Cup on Fear Naught.
Son of former jump jockey Percy Wigham and brother of Cliff who was a top jockey in Italy, Michael took his first big race on Remainder Man when winning the 1978 Free Handicap.
Son of former jump jockey Percy Wigham and brother of Cliff who was a top jockey in Italy, Michael took his first big race on Remainder Man when winning the 1978 Free Handicap.
He then turned freelance before joining Stan Mellor's stable in 1982, for which he won the 1985 Stewards' Cup on Al Trui in 1985.
He then turned freelance before joining Stan Mellor's stable in 1982, for which he won the 1985 Stewards' Cup on Al Trui in 1985.
He became a trainer once his days in the saddle were over and ran into trouble with the stewards.
He became a trainer once his days in the saddle were over and ran into trouble with the stewards.
He was fined a record £20,000 and suspended from having runners for 35 days, while his jockey, Jamie Mackay, was banned for 60 days after a British Horseracing Authority inquiry.
He was fined a record £20,000 and suspended from having runners for 35 days, while his jockey, Jamie Mackay, was banned for 60 days after a British Horseracing Authority inquiry.
The pair initially faced the disciplinary panel in February, over the running and riding of Granakey at Kempton on Jan 2, with the horse's previous outing at Wolverhampton on Dec 20 also coming under the microscope.
The pair initially faced the disciplinary panel in February, over the running and riding of Granakey at Kempton on Jan 2, with the horse's previous outing at Wolverhampton on Dec 20 also coming under the microscope.
Wigham and Mackay were found guilty of contravening the 'non-triers' rule on both occasions.
Wigham and Mackay were found guilty of contravening the 'non-triers' rule on both occasions.
The panel also took into account the fact that Wigham had previously been found guilty of the same offence with Silver Hotspur at Newmarket in June 2007.
The panel also took into account the fact that Wigham had previously been found guilty of the same offence with Silver Hotspur at Newmarket in June 2007.
He was handed a £5,000 penalty on that occasion, which was later increased to £7,500 on appeal.
He was handed a £5,000 penalty on that occasion, which was later increased to £7,500 on appeal.
BHA press officer Paul Struthers said: "The disciplinary panel informed Michael Wigham and Jamie Mackay on Friday but with all that was taking place at Cheltenham we felt it would be more prudent to issue those penalties in full on Monday, which we still intend to do, although we can confirm the penalties."
BHA press officer Paul Struthers said: "The disciplinary panel informed Michael Wigham and Jamie Mackay on Friday but with all that was taking place at Cheltenham we felt it would be more prudent to issue those penalties in full on Monday, which we still intend to do, although we can confirm the penalties."
The previous record fine handed out to a trainer was the £17,500 to David Elsworth in 1988, following the discovery of a prohibited substance in Cavvies Clown.
The previous record fine handed out to a trainer was the £17,500 to David Elsworth in 1988, following the discovery of a prohibited substance in Cavvies Clown.
Michael retired having ridden about 700 winners worldwide.
Michael retired having ridden about 700 winners worldwide.
His brother, Clifford, was also a jockey.
His brother, Clifford, was also a jockey.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1977: Redcar Gold Trophy – Royal Orbit
1977: Redcar Gold Trophy – Royal Orbit
1978: Lincoln Handicap – Captain’s Wings
1978: Lincoln Handicap – Captain’s Wings
1978: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Villa Mill
1978: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Villa Mill
1978: Royal Hunt Cup – Fear Naught
1978: Royal Hunt Cup – Fear Naught
1978: November Handicap – Eastern Spring
1978: November Handicap – Eastern Spring
1980: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Changabang
1980: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Changabang
1985: Stewards Cup – Al Trui
1985: Stewards Cup – Al Trui
1987: Cumberland Plate – Fire Bay
1987: Cumberland Plate – Fire Bay
1987: Portland Handicap – Dawn’s Delight
1987: Portland Handicap – Dawn’s Delight
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