Tag: Brough Scott

‘Human Spirit Is An Extraordinary Thing’: Owner With Locked-In Syndrome Celebrates Emotional Win

Former point-to-point rider and champion farrier Stevie Fisher experienced an emotional victory this week at Plumpton Racecourse in the UK, when his horse Mark of Gold triumphed in a maiden hurdle for trainer Gary Moore.

The Racing Post reports that since suffering a stroke in 2014, Fisher has been a victim of locked-in syndrome.

The National Organization for Rare Disorders explains: “Individuals with locked-in syndrome are conscious and awake, but have no ability to produce movements (outside of eye movement) or to speak (aphonia). Cognitive function is usually unaffected.”

In Fisher's case, his only means of communication is via his left eyelid. He is able to blink out letters on a computer, and has written a book titled “Blinkin' 'Ell – Stevie Fisher's Roughest Ride.”

“What's extraordinary about him is that his basic sense of humor and status as the best man at the party are still there,” sportscaster and Fisher's book editor Brough Scott told the Racing Post prior to Mark of Gold's win. “On the walls are pictures of him winning competitions as a farrier, jumping huge fences and him at Cheltenham and that's still the man in the bed. He is an affirmation that the human spirit is an extraordinary thing.”

When Mark of Gold passed the wire first at Plumpton, there were not many dry eyes in the winner's circle. It was Fisher's first time at the track since COVID began.

Fisher gave an emotional post-race interview to trainer Moore's daughter, Hayley, with Sky Sports Racing.

“I have always followed racing, and have enjoyed having a bet,” Fisher said via the Skyle device that allows him to communicate. “Now, the racing has become more important to me because it gives me something that I really love to follow. The Injured Jockeys Fund have made sure I have the racing to watch by getting my Skyle. The better I have become at using my Eye Gaze, the more I have been able to see a racing paper, because to start with on a Saturday my wife used to email me the runners so I could pick some losers! Now I can see a racing paper I can follow much more, giving my mind something to think about, and has made following the racing so important to me.”

Read more at Racing Post and Sky Sports Racing, and watch the post-race interview below.

The post ‘Human Spirit Is An Extraordinary Thing’: Owner With Locked-In Syndrome Celebrates Emotional Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Former Jumps Jockey Mellor Dies

Stan Mellor, who was the first jumps jockey to ride 1,000 winners, has died aged 83.

Mellor retired from the saddle in 1972 after riding 1,034 winners and went on to a successful training career with jumps and flat horses, training more than 700 winners.

Brough Scott, who started as an amateur rider when Mellor was in his prime and has since gone on to a career in sports writing and broadcasting, paid tribute to his former colleague, saying, “He was a pioneer and a mentor, and a worker for other people. But he was a brilliant, brilliant champion jockey–the ultimate brain over brawn. He could do things others couldn’t–people have a particular shot they can play in cricket, or a move at football. Stan Mellor, wow. He was amazing.

“His particular thing, over fences–to do with his show-jumping background–he would wind a horse up and launch it at the last fence with a rhythm and power that would be a match-winning leap. They never missed–he had it down to a tee, and when he wound them up like that, he knew what he had beneath him, and he timed it for an unbelievable match-winning blow. It was absolutely extraordinary, a byword–no one else did it like that.”

Scott said Mellor also enjoyed mentoring young riders and advocating for jockeys’ welfare.

“He did more for jockeys than anyone else has ever done, or ever will,” he said. “At the time when jockeys were only just getting themselves organised, he was the pioneer for everything; new helmets, backpads, concrete posts, insurance. The Jockeys’ Association had only just started, but he’d be the brightest person at the meeting with the head of Levy Board and such.

“He was very, very good at training youngsters. He always wanted to share his knowledge–he was a tremendous person to go and talk to. I’ll rejoice in his life, although it’s infinitely sad to think of him not being there any more.”

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