'John Manners was a good man, the likes of whom you don't see anymore'
Jockey David Bass on the much-loved and eccentric trainer
John ‘Mad’ Manners had the greatest impact on the early stages of my career. I went to meet him on a Sunday evening after I saw an advert in Horse and Hound. He said I could start as soon as possible and he’d give me a ride in two weeks' time – and he did!
At the time I really didn’t have a plan as such, no idea where I wanted to go in my career. All I knew was I wanted to ride out and ride in point-to-points, and he let me do that.
Provided you put in the work, John would give anyone a chance. In this game there are loads of people who can ride but you need to be given chances. I was so keen to get going in point-to-points and he was brilliant at giving me the opportunities I needed.
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Published on 13 October 2018inFeatures
Last updated 13:25, 13 October 2018
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