'He was very well respected' - former Cumani head lad Stuart Jackson dies at 81

Stuart Jackson, who worked with Classic winners Kahyasi and Commanche Run in a career devoted to the industry, has died at the age of 81.

Jackson rode as an apprentice for Bill Elsey in Malton and Harry Wragg in Newmarket, celebrating his first winner on Pagan Prayer at Doncaster in 1962, before moving to Joe Mulhall near York.

He relinquished his licence in 1973 and two years later joined Luca Cumani as a work-rider. He went on to become head lad, a position he held for many years, and among the youngsters under his wing was Frankie Dettori, who mentioned Jackson in his autobiography.

Cumani said: “Stuart worked for us for a long time and was a really good man. He was very conscientious, loved his horses and was very well respected.

“He was very popular and I never heard anybody say a bad word about him. He was really well liked by all and sundry.”

Stuart Jackson aboard Kingfisher Mill, flanked by Julie Cecil (left) and Jackson's daughter Odette

Jackson went on to work for Julie Cecil and was the regular rider of 1997 King Edward VII Stakes scorer Kingfisher Mill, before being associated with dual 2,000 Guineas winner Cockney Rebel when a work-rider for Geoff Huffer.

James Savage, assistant to Sir Michael Stoute, said: “Stuart wasn’t just a father-in-law to me but a very close friend. He was a very good friend to many in the industry, including the late Jack Banks, and he mentored the younger staff during his many years as a head lad.

“People used to say what a fair head lad he was. His loves were simple – family, friends, racing and Leeds United – and he will be sadly missed by many.”

Jackson is survived by his wife Carol, daughter Odette and granddaughter Amelia. The funeral will take place at West Suffolk Crematorium in Bury Saint Edmunds on Tuesday, July 26 at 1pm.