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Always a joy to see that again, and again, and again Yeats, ta
Joe Mercer was the ideal jockey for Bustino as his owner, Lady Beaverbrook, did not like to have her horses knocked about and indeed is on the record as saying after the race ‘I thought Mercer rode him beautifully’
Nice obit in the Graun today: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/may/23/joe-mercer-obituary
which includes a quote from John Oaksey – “In my carefully considered opinion it is very hard indeed to believe that a more effective, more stylish or more aesthetically satisfying method exists of persuading a thoroughbred horse to go faster.”
I recall a race shown on the beeb – at Bath I think – in which he failed to ride out and was caught on the line. Peter O’Sullevan muttered with affectionate exasperation “oh Joe!” : nice
Seem to remember that time Joe Mercer dropped his hands, Drone. Certainly remember it as a left-handed racecourse, could be Bath but – not sure why – am thinking Chester.
Joe was well established when I became massively interested in horse racing in the eighties, but that didn’t stop him becoming one of my favourites. Don’t know whether it was born out by statistics but seemed to me his style then was particularly good in staying races. I was at school when Light Cavalry (some of my favourite colours) Jim Joel’s black silks and Cut Above both won the St Leger; latter remembered as Shergar’s last race.
Joe Mercer OBE always came over as a gentleman which went well with the gravelly voice of “Smokin’ Joe”. Style and the fact he was nowhere near as whip happy as other jockeys of his generation, means imo Joe really could have been a top jockey with today’s rules and regs… Although probably would’ve needed to stop smoking.
RIP
Value Is EverythingI recall the race being run at Bath . The horse was long odds-on in a maiden or condition race . I think he said “Oh Joe Oh Joe“ and then there was silence ,thereby showing total respect for Mercer . I remember the tact with which O’Sullivan handled the incident as much as anything .
Despite Brigadier Gerard and Bustino I shall always associate Joe with the magnificent Kris.
RIP
My deepest condolences/I can’t forget his wining the Jockey’s championship in 1979 ,when he was Henry Cecil’s stable jockey.I loved his rides on Buckskin,Le Moss and Kris in that year.
He was a very astute judge in ranking Ribot as the best ever he saw, and then Sea Bird.Although he rode Brigadier Gerard he did not class his ward a better horse than Frankel or the equal of Ribot or Sea Bird.
I saw an interview Joe Mercer gave to Mike Cattermole in which he said Brigadier Gerard would have beaten Frankel.
To answer the question from the top of this page, Bold Rex won the November Handicap in 1985, the last ride for the winning jockey, Joe Mercer.
Bold Rex was owned by Lord Granard and trained by John Dunlop. The owners colours were black, red stars and cap.
I had a chance to meet and spend a social drinks evening with John Dunlop and his team some time back, when I was living in Frankfurt in the 80’s – the greed decade. I was very much into german horses back then but had slightly forgotten who he was – just knew he was a famous trainer and without the internet back then to refresh I was blissfully in the dark. His raid on German soil had been successful.
It was all rather complicated but I was invited by a woman who had been to his soirees before. She was married and I had recently spent an enjoyable evening with her and her husband where we talked about racing and drank whisky into the early hours.
For personal reasons I declined, but a few years later I rather regretted it. Let’s just say my life was complicated enough without further entanglements.To answer the question from the top of this page, Bold Rex won the November Handicap in 1985, the last ride for the winning jockey, Joe Mercer.
Bold Rex was owned by Lord Granard and trained by John Dunlop. The owners colours were black, red stars and cap.
Thanks for clearing that up. Right horse , wrong connections! Mind you it was nearly 36 years ago.
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Surprised that gamble’s post hasn’t been removed. It is an embarrassment on what is a Joe Mercer memorial thread.
Come on mods, do your job. Mind you- It’s more of an embarrassment for the old soak that posted it – so maybe just leave it
BACK OF THE NET 1-0 to Tank
I had second thoughts after I posted it. I do make the odd offensive rick and sometimes pen rashly. However, if my post raised the odd troubled eyebrow, the reader was able to take stock, get up and walk away to tell the tale. If they try to copy some of your medical dribbles – they may get the ultimate red card…
GAME OVER
To answer you below..
Not villified – maybe hung out to dry a bit – never quartered
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Yeah, it’s a real shame that I’ve been vilified for that. But I have said that I’ll more than likely get the jab… eventually
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