Joe Mercer (jockey)
Joseph Mercer, OBE (25 October 1934 – 17 May 2021) was an English thoroughbred race horse jockey. He was active from 1947 to 1985, riding 2,810 winners in Britain. Mercer's nickname was "Smokin' Joe.”
| Joe Mercer OBE | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Jockey |
| Born | 25 October 1934 Bradford, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 17 May 2021 (aged 86) |
| Career wins | 2,810 in Britain |
| Major racing wins | |
| British Classic Race wins: Epsom Oaks (1953) St. Leger Stakes (1965, 1974, 1980, 1981) 2,000 Guineas Stakes (1971) 1,000 Guineas Stakes (1974, 1979) Irish Classic Race wins: Irish 2,000 Guineas (1973) Irish Derby (1959) Irish St Leger (1965) French Classic Race wins: Prix de Diane (1974) | |
| Racing awards | |
| British flat racing Champion Apprentice (1952, 1953) British flat racing Champion Jockey (1979) | |
| Honours | |
| OBE | |
| Significant horses | |
| Brigadier Gerard, Bustino, Highclere, Kris, Le Moss | |
| 1000 Guineas (2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | ||
| Highclere | Polygamy | Mrs Tiggywinkle |
| 1979 | ||
| One in a Million | Abbeydale | Yanuka |
| 2000 Guineas (1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | ||
| Brigadier Gerard | Mill Reef | My Swallow |
| Oaks (1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | ||
| Ambiguity | Kerkeb | Noemi |
| St Leger (4) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | ||
| Provoke | Meadow Court | Solstice |
| 1974 | ||
| Bustino | Giacometti | Riboson |
| 1980 | ||
| Light Cavalry | Water Mill | World Leader |
| 1981 | ||
| Cut Above | Glint of Gold | Bustomi |
He was apprenticed to trainer Frederick Sneyd, and he won his first British Classic race on Ambiguity in the 1953 Epsom Oaks as an apprentice. He was British flat racing Champion Apprentice in 1952 and 1953.
He subsequently worked as stable jockey for Jack Colling, Dick Hern, Henry Cecil and Peter Walwyn. While at Cecil's yard, he won his only British flat racing Champion Jockey's title in 1979. Mercer’s most successful ride was Brigadier Gerard, who won all but one of 18 races between 1970 and 1972. Mercer won every British Classic except the Derby, although he twice was runner-up.
He retired as a jockey in November 1985, worked briefly as a jockey's agent, and then became racing manager for Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1987. He retired in January 2006.