Mick Naughton
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Mick Naughton was a promising northern-based jump jockey who rode 16 winners before his career was cut short by a badly broken leg at Market Rasen on Easter Monday 1967. He subsequently became a successful trainer.
Mick Naughton was a promising northern-based jump jockey who rode 16 winners before his career was cut short by a badly broken leg at Market Rasen on Easter Monday 1967. He subsequently became a successful trainer.
Michael Paul Naughton was born on April 16, 1944. After riding in cross-country events and winning gymkhanas as a boy, he began his turf career with Sam Hall at Middleham. However, he soon became too heavy for the Flat, so his indentures were transferred to Charlie Hall (Sam’s brother) at Tadcaster.
Michael Paul Naughton was born on April 16, 1944. After riding in cross-country events and winning gymkhanas as a boy, he began his turf career with Sam Hall at Middleham. However, he soon became too heavy for the Flat, so his indentures were transferred to Charlie Hall (Sam’s brother) at Tadcaster.
He rode his first winner on Charlie Hall’s Breck Road in division three of the Brough Novices’ Hurdle at Catterick on February 20, 1965. He rode two more winners that season and six the next, including two on handicap hurdler Yussef.
He rode his first winner on Charlie Hall’s Breck Road in division three of the Brough Novices’ Hurdle at Catterick on February 20, 1965. He rode two more winners that season and six the next, including two on handicap hurdler Yussef.
He rode his tenth winner on Steve Norton’s Wave-On in a Market Rasen selling hurdle in September 1966, resulting in his claim being cut to 5lb. His next win came at Stratford on the first day of October aboard Yussef. That same horse then carried Mick to his biggest victory in the ITV-televised Quality Tools of Sheffield Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster on November 19, 1966. Worth £2,185 5s to the winning owner, it was the most valuable race on a richly-endowed card sponsored by local Yorkshire companies.
He rode his tenth winner on Steve Norton’s Wave-On in a Market Rasen selling hurdle in September 1966, resulting in his claim being cut to 5lb. His next win came at Stratford on the first day of October aboard Yussef. That same horse then carried Mick to his biggest victory in the ITV-televised Quality Tools of Sheffield Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster on November 19, 1966. Worth £2,185 5s to the winning owner, it was the most valuable race on a richly-endowed card sponsored by local Yorkshire companies.
The following month, Wave-On gave Mick his first win over fences when landing a Catterick novices’ chase. Catterick looked to be his lucky course, for he rode a winner there on January 2, 1967 and then notched a double on January 14 aboard Wave-On and novice hurdler Sun Tonic. That saw his claim reduced further to 3lb.
The following month, Wave-On gave Mick his first win over fences when landing a Catterick novices’ chase. Catterick looked to be his lucky course, for he rode a winner there on January 2, 1967 and then notched a double on January 14 aboard Wave-On and novice hurdler Sun Tonic. That saw his claim reduced further to 3lb.
He looked like becoming one of the best northern jump jockeys but his career was ended by a fall from Astrolin in the ‘Cox, Moore’ (Sweaters) Handicap Chase at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, March 27, 1967. His mount swerved into the rails and Mick fractured a leg so badly that his career as a jockey was brought to an abrupt end.
He looked like becoming one of the best northern jump jockeys but his career was ended by a fall from Astrolin in the ‘Cox, Moore’ (Sweaters) Handicap Chase at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, March 27, 1967. His mount swerved into the rails and Mick fractured a leg so badly that his career as a jockey was brought to an abrupt end.
In 1973 Mick set up as a trainer on a farm on Lord Zetland’s Richmond estate. Although he initially only had as few horses under his care, he landed doubles at Teesside Park in 1974 and at Perth in 1975.
In 1973 Mick set up as a trainer on a farm on Lord Zetland’s Richmond estate. Although he initially only had as few horses under his care, he landed doubles at Teesside Park in 1974 and at Perth in 1975.
He quickly increased the size of his string and went on to land a number of valuable races, including the Mecca Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Sandown, Newcastle’s Ladbroke Trophy and Scotland’s longest Flat race, the William the Lion Handicap (twice). He came close to landing two of the biggest chases in the National Hunt calendar with Collingwood, finishing second in both the 1975 Hennessy Gold Cup and the 1976 Whitbread.
He quickly increased the size of his string and went on to land a number of valuable races, including the Mecca Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Sandown, Newcastle’s Ladbroke Trophy and Scotland’s longest Flat race, the William the Lion Handicap (twice). He came close to landing two of the biggest chases in the National Hunt calendar with Collingwood, finishing second in both the 1975 Hennessy Gold Cup and the 1976 Whitbread.
His best Flat horse was Umbelata whose wins included the 1987 Great St Wilfrid Handicap and the 1988 Bentinck Stakes (Listed) at Newmarket. Over jumps, his best horse was probably Allten Glazed, who won numerous races over hurdles and fences and finished second in the 1987 Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.
His best Flat horse was Umbelata whose wins included the 1987 Great St Wilfrid Handicap and the 1988 Bentinck Stakes (Listed) at Newmarket. Over jumps, his best horse was probably Allten Glazed, who won numerous races over hurdles and fences and finished second in the 1987 Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.
Mick relinquished his trainer’s licence in 1993. He is now a broadcaster on William Hill Radio.
Mick relinquished his trainer’s licence in 1993. He is now a broadcaster on William Hill Radio.
Mick Naughton’s winners were, in chronological order:
Mick Naughton’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Breck Road, Catterick Bridge, February 20, 1965
1. Breck Road, Catterick Bridge, February 20, 1965
2. Court Herald, Perth, April 28, 1965
2. Court Herald, Perth, April 28, 1965
3. Prince Blarney, Ayr, May 17, 1965
3. Prince Blarney, Ayr, May 17, 1965
4. Yussef, Stratford-on-Avon, November 4, 1965
4. Yussef, Stratford-on-Avon, November 4, 1965
5. Yussef, Catterick Bridge, January 1, 1966
5. Yussef, Catterick Bridge, January 1, 1966
6. Fragrant Flyer, Ayr, March 14, 1966
6. Fragrant Flyer, Ayr, March 14, 1966
7. Fragrant Flyer, Newcastle, May 13, 1966
7. Fragrant Flyer, Newcastle, May 13, 1966
8. Another Wave, Wetherby, May 30, 1966
8. Another Wave, Wetherby, May 30, 1966
9. Enchanted, Uttoxeter, June 11, 1966
9. Enchanted, Uttoxeter, June 11, 1966
10. Wave-On. Market Rasen, September 24, 1966
10. Wave-On. Market Rasen, September 24, 1966
11. Yussef, Stratford-on-Avon, October 1, 1966
11. Yussef, Stratford-on-Avon, October 1, 1966
12. Yussef, Doncaster, November 19, 1966
12. Yussef, Doncaster, November 19, 1966
13. Wave-On, Catterick Bridge, December 17, 1966
13. Wave-On, Catterick Bridge, December 17, 1966
14. Tackle, Catterick Bridge, January 2, 1967
14. Tackle, Catterick Bridge, January 2, 1967
15. Wave-On, Catterick Bridge, January 14, 1967
15. Wave-On, Catterick Bridge, January 14, 1967
16. Sun Tonic, Catterick Bridge, January 14, 1967
16. Sun Tonic, Catterick Bridge, January 14, 1967