The late Joe Mercer will always be best remembered for his association with Brigadier Gerard, who remains the joint third highest rated Flat horse in the history of Timeform. Ridden exclusively by Mercer, ‘The Brigadier’ won 17 of his 18 races between 1970 and 1972, including a famous victory over Mill Reef in the 2,000 Guineas in 1971.
Of course, ‘Smokin’ Joe’, as Mercer was known, rode many more winners in Britain – a total of 2,810 in all – including eight British Classics. Indeed, he rode his first Classic winner, Ambiguity, in the Oaks in 1953 while still a 19-year-old apprentice. Later in his career, Mercer also won the 1,000 Guineas twice, on Highclere in 1974 and One In a Million in 1979, and the St. Leger four times, on Provoke in 1965, Bustino in 1974, Light Cavalry in 1980 and Cut Above in 1981.
However, for all his success elsewhere, in the most important Classic, the Derby, Mercer drew a blank. In fact, the closest he came to winning was on Relkino, trained by Dick Hern, in 1976. Indeed, Relkino led inside the final quarter of a mile, but proved no match for Empery, ridden by Lester Piggott, in the closing stages and had to settle for second, beaten 3 lengths.