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The remarkable facts and figures behind Joe Mercer's achievements

Le Moss (Joe Mercer) wins the 1980 Gold Cup from Ardross, giving him back-to-back victories
Joe Mercer wins the Gold Cup on Le Moss, who claimed the stayers' triple crown in 1980Credit: Gerry Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Full name Joseph Mercer

Born Bradford, October 25, 1934

Family Father: Emmanuel Mercer (coach painter). Brother: Manny Mercer (jockey). Wife: Anne (daughter of jockey Harry Carr). Children: Henry, Sarah, Joe junior

Apprenticed to Fred Sneyd, Sparsholt, Berkshire 1947-54

First mount Navy Blue, 3rd at Ascot, October 8, 1948

First winner Eldoret, Bath, September 13, 1950

First big-race winner Polar Jest (1952 Newbury Spring Cup)

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners Brigadier Gerard (1972), Time Charter (1983)

British Classic winners(8) Ambiguity (1953 Oaks), Provoke (1965 St Leger), Brigadier Gerard (1971 2,000 Guineas), Highclere (1974 1,000 Guineas), Bustino (1974 St Leger), One In A Million (1979 1,000 Guineas), Light Cavalry (1980 St Leger), Cut Above (1981 St Leger)

Other notable Classic winners Viscount (1956 Svenskt Derby), Fidalgo (1959 Irish Derby), Craighouse (1965 Irish St Leger), Jambler (1967 Svenskt Derby), Sharp Edge (1973 Irish 2,000 Guineas), Highclere (1974 Prix de Diane), Football (1982 Hong Kong Derby)

Coronation Cup winners Buoy (1974), Bustino (1975)

St James's Palace Stakes winners Brigadier Gerard (1971), Kris (1979)

Ascot Gold Cup winners Parbury (1967), Le Moss (1980)

Eclipse Stakes winners Brigadier Gerard (1972), Gunner B (1978)

Sussex Stakes winners Brigadier Gerard (1971), Sallust (1972), Kris (1979)

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winners Rosalba (1959), Brigadier Gerard (1971, 1972), Kris (1979)

Champion Stakes winner Brigadier Gerard (1971, 1972)

Prix Vermeille winner Highest Hopes (1970)

Prix du Moulin winner Sallust (1972)

Champion sprinter Song (1969 King's Stand Stakes, Diadem Stakes)

Stayers' triple crown winner Le Moss (1980 Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Doncaster Cup)

Most prolific Group winner Brigadier Gerard (13, 1971-72)

Derby runners-up Fidalgo (1959), Relkino (1976)

Main stables Jack Colling, West Ilsley 1953-62; Dick Hern, West Ilsley 1963-76; Henry Cecil, Newmarket 1977-80; Peter Walwyn, Lambourn 1981-85

Champion apprentice 1953 (61 wins)

Champion jockey 1979 (164 wins)

Six wins in one day July 14, 1965 (4 at Yarmouth, 2 at Doncaster)

Most wins in a British season 164 (1979)

2,000th win in Britain Major John, Brighton, June 30, 1976

Last Group winner Stalker (1985 Middle Park Stakes)

Last winner/last ride Bold Rex, November Handicap, Doncaster, November 9, 1985

Total wins in Britain 2,810 in 36 seasons (1950-85)

Racing manager to Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum's Gainsborough Stud 1987-2006

Honours OBE for services to horse racing (1980), Derby Award as Flat Jockey of the Year (1975, 1979)

Compiled by John Randall


Read more on Joe Mercer:

Riding legend and Brigadier Gerard's jockey Joe Mercer dies aged 86

Joe Mercer: all-time great whose classical style made him a perfect role model

Brigadier Gerard, Bustino and Kris: the top-class horses ridden by Joe Mercer


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Published on 17 May 2021inNews

Last updated 16:46, 17 May 2021

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