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[edit: on reflection, anonymised to let bygones be]
He may be in the news currently for equalling the GB record of training 4,193 winners, but for me he has always stood-out for the kindness and support he and Deirdre showed to a young HK apprentice jockey who for a time lost his way.
In 1999 [X] was convicted in HK on two charges of conspiracy to race-fix after he accepted HK$1 million (GBP 90k) from a mainland businessman to bribe 11 fellow apprentices not to finish in the top three in a Sha Tin race of 14 runners in 1996 [which in the event they were unable to achieve]. [X] got 3.5 years and his girlfriend 2.67 years.
During the HK close seasons of 1996, 1997 and 1998 [X] had been in England to ride for MJ, as well as in Germany and Sweden, winning Group 1s in Germany and Sweden.
MJ gave character testimonial at the trial; voiced concern at what seemed an excessive sentence; visited him in jail, and on release helped him pick up the threads of his riding career at a time when eg Germany initially refused him a licence to ride on the basis it would not be conducive to their racing integrity.
It was all an impressive display of loyalty that led to [X] variously riding work for Aidan O’Brien, then winning the same German G1 again, and spending time in Dubai as MJ stable jockey for the Carnival, plus winners in GB for a few years. [X] also rode in various parts of the world (including back in HK) before receiving a trainer’s licence in Macau.
Really top guy.
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