Mellor was one of the all-time greats
STAN Mellor, the first jockey to ride 1,000 winners over jumps, has died at the age of 83.
Mellor was one of the outstanding riders of his generation and he was champion jockey in successive seasons between 1959 and 1962. He could have added a fourth title in 1962-63 but for suffering serious injuries in a fall on Eastern Harvest in the inaugural running of what is now the Betfair Hurdle at Aintree. Mellor, who lived in Lambourn, took up training after retiring from the saddle and had more than 750 winners, including Midlands Grand National and the Stewards’ Cup. He never won a Grand National, but finished second on Badanloch in 1960 and he also had to settle for second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Stalbridge Colonist in 1967.
But he did win the King George VI Chases on Frenchman’s Cove (1964) and Titus Oates (1969).
Mellor will always be remembered most for beating the legendary Arkle on the 25-1 chance Stalbridge Colonist in the 1966 Hennessy Gold Cup
Lambourn trainer Charlie Hills said this week: “It was some achievement to be the first jockey to win 1,000 races. He was tremendously supported around the area and it was very sad to hear of his passing.” And Newbury Racecourse tweeted: “RIP Stan Mellor. A great supporter of Newbury over the years, his win on Stalbridge Colonist in the 1966 Hennessy Gold Cup beating the great Arkle was one particular highlight. A great man.”
Mellor was the first chairman of the Jockeys’ Association and also represented the jockeys on the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
He is survived by his wife Elaine and daughters Dana and Linz.