Nick Naughton
1944 - 2026
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Mick Paul Naughton, known as Mick, 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 dual-purpose trainer.
Mick Paul Naughton, known as Mick, 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 dual-purpose trainer.
Mick was born in North Yorkshire 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 for a career over jumps.
Mick was born in North Yorkshire 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 for a career over jumps.
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.
His tenth winner came on Steve Norton’s Wave-On in a Market Rasen selling hurdle in September 1966, resulting in his claim being cut to 5lb.
His tenth winner came 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.
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 estate at High Gingerfield Lodge, Richmond, North Yorkshire, where he would remain for the whole of his training career. His first winner was Collingwood at Teesside Park, November 12, 1973.
In 1973 Mick set up as a trainer on a farm on Lord Zetland’s estate at High Gingerfield Lodge, Richmond, North Yorkshire, where he would remain for the whole of his training career. His first winner was Collingwood at Teesside Park, November 12, 1973.
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 saddled his first Flat winner when Chinese Falcon won at Hamilton, September 9, 1975.
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 saddled his first Flat winner when Chinese Falcon won at Hamilton, September 9, 1975.
As a dual-purpose trainer he quickly increased the size of his string and went on to land a number of valuable races, including the 1982 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.
As a dual-purpose trainer he quickly increased the size of his string and went on to land a number of valuable races, including the 1982 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 following year’s Listed Bentinck Stakes at Newmarket. He enjoyed his most successful Flat season with 32 wins in 1992.
His best Flat horse was Umbelata whose wins included the 1987 Great St Wilfrid Handicap and the following year’s Listed Bentinck Stakes at Newmarket. He enjoyed his most successful Flat season with 32 wins in 1992.
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, beaten three-quarters of a length by Gala's Image, whose jockey Richard Linley dislocated his collar-bone at the final fence. That was the closest Mick came to a Cheltenham Festival victory.
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, beaten three-quarters of a length by Gala's Image, whose jockey Richard Linley dislocated his collar-bone at the final fence. That was the closest Mick came to a Cheltenham Festival victory.
Other big-race winners were: The Vintner (1980 Ladbroke Trophy Chase, Newcastle), Red Cleric (1981 Timeform Chasers & Hurdlers Chase, Ayr), Allten Glazed (1982 Haig Whisky Novices' Hurdle Final, Newcastle), and Wibis Range (1982 Northern Free Handicap, 1983 Thirsk Hunt Cup).
Other big-race winners were: The Vintner (1980 Ladbroke Trophy Chase, Newcastle), Red Cleric (1981 Timeform Chasers & Hurdlers Chase, Ayr), Allten Glazed (1982 Haig Whisky Novices' Hurdle Final, Newcastle), and Wibis Range (1982 Northern Free Handicap, 1983 Thirsk Hunt Cup).
Mick’s last winner was Shareoftheaction at Southwell, April 25, 1994. He relinquished his trainer’s licence later that year, having trained a total of 311 winners (170 jumps, 141 Flat). He was succeeded by his then wife Muriel, a pioneer female rider who held the distinction of being the first woman to ride over fences against men.
Mick’s last winner was Shareoftheaction at Southwell, April 25, 1994. He relinquished his trainer’s licence later that year, having trained a total of 311 winners (170 jumps, 141 Flat). He was succeeded by his then wife Muriel, a pioneer female rider who held the distinction of being the first woman to ride over fences against men.
He spent four years working in Singapore before returning to Yorkshire and making frequent appearances as a pundit on William Hill Radio.
He spent four years working in Singapore before returning to Yorkshire and making frequent appearances as a pundit on William Hill Radio.
Mick Naughton died in June 2026, aged 82.
Mick Naughton died in June 2026, aged 82.
His winners as a jockey were, in chronological order:
His winners as a jockey 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
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