Last week, we celebrated Cliff's 60 years in racing. Starting as a mere 14 yr old as apprentice to Noel Murless, Cliff worked his way through the last 60 years, riding a winner for the Queen, and in a later period rode horses such as JO Tobin, Heathersett, Shergar, Sonic Lady, Kayf Tara, Singspiel and Pilsudski. Know as 'Cliff the Clock' his ability to count his way through a gallop is legendary in town - he can ride a gallop at any speed and be within the second every time! He bought Marsh Stables a fair few years ago and has enjoyed plenty of success there over the years. In training now, he has Toballa and Ballesteam, both out of his good race mare, Ballgown. Toballa ran well on Sunday with Cliff in attendance as travelling head lad and he is looking forward to a good winter on the all-weather with her. Never one to sit still for long, Cliff recovered incredibly well from a couple of huge operations last year to remove a brain tumour and now is back riding out daily on Bertie - not bad when you are over 70!!..
Sue organised a great day for Cliff last week at Newmarket Racecourse. He was surrounded by friend and family as well as some racing legends which included Lester Piggott, Julie Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute.
He even got a mention in the Newmarket Journal! -
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_newmarketnews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=460263
