About Michael
Returning from a war-time evacuation in Llandrindod Wells to his home in Woking, the Sunday before the 1945 Derby, Michael, aged nine, was plunged into a family reunion where the sole topic of conversation was the forthcoming Derby. From that day, which Michael refers to as his ‘Annunciation’, he took to racing and betting, “like a duck to water.”
At the age of 11, he set himself up as the unofficial school bookmaker. Ironically, years later his school was demolished and replaced by the Surrey History Centre, which now houses not only his published histories of the Epsom Derby and Oaks, but also his schoolboy stories once acted out on the same site.
After leaving school, Michael carried his passion through National Service, the Inland Revenue and a number of maths based positions in publishing and industry.
Music figured highly in Michael’s teenage years, playing the trumpet in the Royal Air Force and later for The Conchords, a local modern jazz group, who once supported the Jazz Couriers, led by Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott. From a small boy, Michael also had a keen interest in Greyhound racing, going on to own many top class Open racers.
Then, in 1986, he landed the job of Accountant for the new daily newspaper, Racing Post, where he went on to write many books on breeding and racing, including the history of The Derby Stakes, for which he was appointed the Official Derby Historian.
Although a lifetime Chelsea supporter, Michael also became the Treasurer and first Commercial Director of Woking Football Club, taking his Lurcher, Sam, to all the home games.
Michael has given many TV interviews for: Sky Sports News, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, CNN and Racing TV. And as the Official Derby Historian, he now gives lectures to colleges, literary societies and racing clubs.
In 2016 his third history of the Derby became his 14th book, while more recently he has published The Champion Sires Chart, showing the male lineage of the 125 Champion Sires from 1722 to 2021.
Married to Pat with four grown children – Shaun, Sarah, Dominic and Mia, they recently celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary.