By Marcus Townend for MailOnline
Published: 23:43 BST, 13 June 2019 | Updated: 23:43 BST, 13 June 2019
View
comments
Enzo's Lad will be a big outsider in Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot but there will be many willing on the sprinter trained in New Zealand by Michael Pitman.
Pitman, 64, who trains near Christchurch, is no stranger to defying the odds.
His experience of what life can throw at you making him describe himself as a 'survivor' and he is unlikely to be daunted by any challenge racing can throw up.
Enzo's Lad will be a big outsider in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday
Shortly after taking out his training licence when 22-years-old, Pitman was severely injured in a car accident. His left leg was amputated below the knee as he spent six months in hospital.
Michael and his wife Diane lost their youngest son Jonny, 28, to suicide in November 2013 while Michael was diagnosed with bowel cancer in May 2018. He was given the all clear earlier this month.
Pitman said: 'It's been well documented that 12 months ago I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Like all fellas, I ignored the signs I should've taken notice of and I wouldn't have wanted to leave it any later that's for sure.
'When they put the x-ray on me, they said I had quite a decent lump. I had an operation on
