Still searching for Group 1s: Michael Roberts on life as a trainer and jockey

Tom Peacock catches up with the popular South African for memories of Mtoto

Michael Roberts: Champion jockey is still training in Durban

The fact that Mtoto’s name appears as the grand-sire of the long-retired Grand National hero Ballabriggs is a fair indication that some time has passed since the heyday of one of Flat racing’s modern greats.

For Michael Roberts, the man who rode him, one afternoon in 1988 still feels like yesterday.

"My saddest moment in racing was when he got beat in the Arc," he says. "Often, I think about it.

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Tom PeacockSpecialist writer of the year

Published on 4 February 2020inFeatures

Last updated 18:30, 4 February 2020

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