Stan Mellor: First jump jockey to ride 1,000 winners dies at 83

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

The three-time champion jockey was one of the few riders to triumph in a race against Arkle.

Mellor guided Stalbridge Colonist to victory against the legendary Irish racehorse in the 1966 Hennessy Gold Cup.

He had a successful training career and saddled both Royal Mail (1980) and Lean Ar Aghaidh (1987) to win the Whitbread Gold Cup.

Both horses also finished third in the Grand National, with Royal Mail behind Aldaniti and Spartan Missile in 1981.

Mellor was also a driving force behind changes to his sport, including the tuition and employment of younger jockeys.

His landmark 1,000th victory as a rider came on Ouzo in the Christmas Spirit Novice Chase at Nottingham in December 1971.

Tributes have been paid from across the racing community.

"RIP Stan Mellor - a real gent, a great jockey, a great trainer and even more important a lovely human being," said trainer Oliver Sherwood.

Jockey turned journalist Brough Scott said: "He was a pioneer and a mentor, and a worker for other people. But he was also a brilliant, brilliant champion jockey - the ultimate brain over brawn."