O'Donovan, Dan

Dan O'Donovan, born on September 4th, 1935, rode his first winner in on December 28,1954 (at Limerick). In fact, he won twice that afternoon. (His winners were Colin Bell in the Mid-Winter Chase & Tenacious in the Thomond Handicap Chase.)He served his apprenticeship with Clem Magnier (in Ireland) from 1954 to 1959

He first appears on the Jockeypedia database in this small newspaper clip which appeared on Saturday 22 February, 1958.

Sometime in 1959, he left Ireland to ride in England.

Riding Tudor Star in the 3.00, he made his first appearance at Birmingham on Tuesday November 17, 1959. He came third at 20/1. (Below)

He then got 1960 off to the best start possible when, on New Year's Day, winning on his only mount of the afternoon: Crosspatrick in the 2.30 Windsor, again for Marshall.

Dan was retained by trainer Ian Mitchell Dudgeon, who sent out horses from his Chitterne Stables, Chitterne, Warminster, Wilts. Dan, during his time with Dudgeon, lived at Stable Cottage, Chitterne.

Dudgeon had taken over the stables in 1970 when the previous occupant J. J. Ford had died. (J. J. Ford was Jim Ford, the trainer of 1955 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Gay Donald.)

The stable's racing colours which Dan wore were grey & maroon quartered, striped sleeve.

Dan always said that the highlight of his career had been when riding Gay Record for the Queen Mother (below, 1.00 Kempton)

Another highlight was riding Skipper Jack in the 1960 Grand National. He fell at the 20th fence.

To watch the 1960 Grand National, click here

On August 4, 1971, Dan married Celia Ruth Heley. She gave him twin daughters, Sara Eileen and Celine Ruth.

My thanks to James, Dan's nephew, for informing me that he'd worked with his uncle in Dingwall's, Stuart Pattemore's and Lady Herries'.

Dan was head man at Lady Herries'. It was his last job - he retired in 2000 and currently (2014) lives in Rosscarberry in West Cork.