A greater trainer than footballer? Channon among the elite in his second career

Few people reach the top in two different sports, but Mick Channon has been at least as distinguished as a racehorse trainer as he was as a footballer.

Last week he confirmed his place among the elite by scoring his 2,500th Flat win in Britain in his 33rd year as a trainer and, if the championship were decided on number of wins rather than prize-money, he would have claimed the title in 2003.

On that occasion Channon's best domestic score of 144 put him on top of the numerical table, with Mark Johnston, Richard Hannon snr, Sir Michael Stoute, Barry Hills, John Dunlop and John Gosden next.