Stanley Thomas Edward Mellor was a National Hunt jockey and trainer who was the first jockey to ride 1,000 winners and Champion Jockey three years in a row from 1960 to 1962.
14 Facts About Stan Mellor
1.
2.
Stan Mellor rode at a weight of 8 st 10 lb, not much more than a modern flat jockey.
3.
Stan Mellor was one of the few jockeys to experience beating Arkle, often regarded as the greatest steeplechaser of all time.
4.
Stan Mellor himself maintains that Stalbridge Colonist beat him with a "turn of foot".
5.
On 10 December 1971, Stan Mellor rode his 999th winner at Cheltenham.
6.
Stan Mellor spent another week trying to pass the landmark, racking up seven more losers in the process.
7.
Stan Mellor's wife travelled with him every day so as not to miss the celebrations.
8.
Dismounting from Ouzo, Stan Mellor proclaimed it "a great relief" and was presented with an inscribed silver salver by his wife on behalf of the racecourse.
9.
Stan Mellor's worst fall was in the 1963 Schweppes Gold Trophy when his lower face was smashed so badly it was almost completely detached.
10.
When Stan Mellor retired as a jockey, he was awarded an MBE in recognition of his achievements.
11.
Stan Mellor was offered an appearance on This Is Your Life, which he turned down.
12.
Stan Mellor was a successful trainer, though not as successful as his time in the saddle.
13.
Stan Mellor was amongst those who pioneered the import of New Zealand bred horses and was known as "an excellent judge of a racehorse".
14.
Stan Mellor had a wife Elain, and two daughters, Dana and Linz, all of whom have ridden winners under Rules.