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How ex-England striker Mick Channon has won millions in second career as a trainer and could strike again at Cheltenham

, How ex-England striker Mick Channon has won millions in second career as a trainer and could strike again at Cheltenham

MICK CHANNON was hooked when he won £100 from a £6 bet and the bookies didn’t have enough cash to pay him out.

That moment sparked a lifelong love affair for the former England striker – which could be thrust into the limelight again at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Channon scored 21 goals for England and made millions as a racehorse trainer in his second career
Channon always had a love of horses but his passion turned into a money-making machine when he took up training seriously

Except now he is used to dealing with sums in the millions rather than hundreds.

Mick, 72, has enjoyed a remarkable second career as a horse trainer since hanging up his boots.

Southampton’s record goalscorer, who netted 21 times in 46 England appearances, was famed for his windmill celebration.

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Fans saw it enough times during his 22-year career, which included spells at Manchester City, Newcastle and Norwich.

He scored 236 times in all and was part of the Saints side that delivered one of the biggest FA Cup upsets ever when they stunned Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley in 1976.

But always lingering in the background was a passion for horses.

It never escaped. Mick would ask commentators for the results at half-time.

He bought his first horse for £440 in 1973 and watched her win three races.

, How ex-England striker Mick Channon has won millions in second career as a trainer and could strike again at Cheltenham

Channon remains Southampton’s record goalscorer – a record that has stood since 1982

That horse, Cathy Jane, lit a flame and her son, Man On The Run, was co-owned by Mick and Kevin Keegan.

Although Keegan didn’t have the golden touch like Mick did, the pair enjoyed days out at the track together.

Mick recalled: “I got him along to the races. Our horse came stone last, so we got drunk on champagne.”

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But soon things turned more serious and when Mick retired from football in 1987 he turned his full attention to racing.

That came after some stern words from brother Phil and friends, who, according to Mick, told him to ‘get off his a**e and stop feeling sorry for himself’.

The tough love worked.

Soon he was scoring for more frequently on the track than he ever was on the pitch.

By the early 2000s he was one of the top trainers in England.

, How ex-England striker Mick Channon has won millions in second career as a trainer and could strike again at Cheltenham

Channon, right, achieved a lifelong goal when he saddled Classic winner Samitar to victory in the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2012

At one point he had enjoyed more winners than the late Sir Henry Cecil and John Gosden – whose horse Mishriff won the world’s richest race just last weekend.

By the time he was established at West Ilsley stables near Newbury – once owned by The Queen – he had nearly 200 horses under his watch.

In 2002 he saddled 123 winners. The prize money was racking up and up and up.

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Then came Youmzain.

Bought for £33,000, he went onto win almost £4million, finishing runner up three times in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from 2007 to 2009 and twice second best in the the King George Stakes at Ascot.

, How ex-England striker Mick Channon has won millions in second career as a trainer and could strike again at Cheltenham

The forward made 46 appearances for England

, How ex-England striker Mick Channon has won millions in second career as a trainer and could strike again at Cheltenham

Channon was so into racing he would ask commentators for the results at half-time of games

The horse cemented straight-talking Channon’s position as one of the best trainers in the business.

And he provided joy during an awful time in 2008 when Mick was involved in a car crash that tragically took the life of his friend Tim Corby.

The footballer-turned-trainer achieved a lifelong goal when he won a Classic race with Samitar in the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2012.

But that was not to be the end of it all.

Mick remains as busy as ever now, with more than £2.6m won from his horses in the past five seasons.

, How ex-England striker Mick Channon has won millions in second career as a trainer and could strike again at Cheltenham

Channon has been one of racing’s top trainers for 20 years

Certain Lad has been one of the standouts of recent seasons, with Hollie Doyle riding him to York success and a £28,355 prize at York last August.

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And keep an eye out for Hold The Note, who could run at Cheltenham Festival next month.

Mick might not do the windmill celebration anymore, but that doesn’t mean punters can’t after backing one of his horses.

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Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org


Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chase their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

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