Albert Power
Irish National Hunt jockey Albert Power is best remembered in Britain as the man who remounted Derrinstown to complete the course and claim third prize in the 1951 Grand National. However, on home soil he is better known as the man who rode Overshadow to win the Irish Grand National two years later.
Irish National Hunt jockey Albert Power is best remembered in Britain as the man who remounted Derrinstown to complete the course and claim third prize in the 1951 Grand National. However, on home soil he is better known as the man who rode Overshadow to win the Irish Grand National two years later.
Albert started out as an apprentice with Senator J. J. Parkinson but switched to jumping because of his rising weight. Having spent World War Two in the Irish Army, he had difficulty resuming his riding career until joining Charlie Rogers in 1947.
Albert started out as an apprentice with Senator J. J. Parkinson but switched to jumping because of his rising weight. Having spent World War Two in the Irish Army, he had difficulty resuming his riding career until joining Charlie Rogers in 1947.
In terms of winners, he enjoyed by far his most successful year in 1948 with a tally of 16. He was quick off the mark, winning the first race of the Irish racing year on the Rogers-trained Gay Corsair in a maiden hurdle at Naas on January 3. A double at Kilbeggan on May 10 was followed by a winner on both days of Dundalk’s meeting later that month, all of them trained by Rogers.
In terms of winners, he enjoyed by far his most successful year in 1948 with a tally of 16. He was quick off the mark, winning the first race of the Irish racing year on the Rogers-trained Gay Corsair in a maiden hurdle at Naas on January 3. A double at Kilbeggan on May 10 was followed by a winner on both days of Dundalk’s meeting later that month, all of them trained by Rogers.
He was in fine form at Waterford & Tramore’s four-day festival meeting in August, riding four winners, three of them for Rogers, including a double on the last day aboard Jackie Brown in the Crobally Chase and Prince of Buckingham in the Fleming Memorial Handicap Chase. He gained his highest profile success of that year when guiding As You Were to victory in the Munster National at Limerick on October 28, then following up on him at Clonmel seven days later.
He was in fine form at Waterford & Tramore’s four-day festival meeting in August, riding four winners, three of them for Rogers, including a double on the last day aboard Jackie Brown in the Crobally Chase and Prince of Buckingham in the Fleming Memorial Handicap Chase. He gained his highest profile success of that year when guiding As You Were to victory in the Munster National at Limerick on October 28, then following up on him at Clonmel seven days later.
Sadly, Albert’s star dimmed after that banner year and he never again registered a double-figure score.
Sadly, Albert’s star dimmed after that banner year and he never again registered a double-figure score.
He had four rides in the Grand National, beginning in 1948 with 100-1 outsider Skouras. They pulled up at the fence after Becher’s second time round. He fell at the second fence on 66-1 shot Sagacity in 1949.
He had four rides in the Grand National, beginning in 1948 with 100-1 outsider Skouras. They pulled up at the fence after Becher’s second time round. He fell at the second fence on 66-1 shot Sagacity in 1949.
In 1951 Albert partnered another 66-1 chance, Derrinstown, who was one of just five survivors to head out onto the second circuit. One-third of the field had fallen or been brought down at the very first fence following a disastrous start in which the starter let the field go when half the runners were facing the wrong way. A hectic dash to make up the lost ground resulted in the first fence carnage.
In 1951 Albert partnered another 66-1 chance, Derrinstown, who was one of just five survivors to head out onto the second circuit. One-third of the field had fallen or been brought down at the very first fence following a disastrous start in which the starter let the field go when half the runners were facing the wrong way. A hectic dash to make up the lost ground resulted in the first fence carnage.
Only seven were left coming onto the ‘racecourse proper’. Both Dog Watch and Russian Hero, the 1949 winner, departed at the Chair, leaving just the quintet of Nickel Coin, Royal Tan, Gay Heather, Broomfield and Derrinstown to make it beyond halfway.
Only seven were left coming onto the ‘racecourse proper’. Both Dog Watch and Russian Hero, the 1949 winner, departed at the Chair, leaving just the quintet of Nickel Coin, Royal Tan, Gay Heather, Broomfield and Derrinstown to make it beyond halfway.
Gay Heather crumpled and fell on landing over Becher’s, bringing down Derrinstown in the process, then Broomfield fell at the next, leaving just Nickel Coin and Royal Tan to battle out the rest of the race. Royal Tan ruined his chance with a bad mistake at the last fence, allowing Nickel Coin to sweep to victory by six lengths. A long way behind them came Albert Power on the remounted Derrinstown to collect the £420 third place prize money.
Gay Heather crumpled and fell on landing over Becher’s, bringing down Derrinstown in the process, then Broomfield fell at the next, leaving just Nickel Coin and Royal Tan to battle out the rest of the race. Royal Tan ruined his chance with a bad mistake at the last fence, allowing Nickel Coin to sweep to victory by six lengths. A long way behind them came Albert Power on the remounted Derrinstown to collect the £420 third place prize money.
Albert rode Derrinstown again in the 1952 Grand National but pulled him up at Becher’s on the second circuit when out of contention.
Albert rode Derrinstown again in the 1952 Grand National but pulled him up at Becher’s on the second circuit when out of contention.
By then, he was struggling for rides, but on Easter Monday 1953 his luck suddenly changed. Clonmel trainer Clem Magnier had travelled to Fairyhouse on Irish Grand National day hopeful that Pat Taaffe would ride his 13-year-old veteran Overshadow in the Irish Grand National. But when Taaffe confirmed his decision to ride his father’s horse, the 5-1 second favourite Gallant Wolf, Magnier was forced to seek an alternative jockey.
By then, he was struggling for rides, but on Easter Monday 1953 his luck suddenly changed. Clonmel trainer Clem Magnier had travelled to Fairyhouse on Irish Grand National day hopeful that Pat Taaffe would ride his 13-year-old veteran Overshadow in the Irish Grand National. But when Taaffe confirmed his decision to ride his father’s horse, the 5-1 second favourite Gallant Wolf, Magnier was forced to seek an alternative jockey.
Enter here Michael O’Hehir, the celebrated commentator. On hearing of Magnier’s plight, he mentioned Albert Power’s availability. Albert had ridden just one winner so far that year, so it was very much a case of being in the right place at the right time, although the grey Overshadow’s chances did not look all that promising. He was among the 20-1 outsiders in the 15-runner field.
Enter here Michael O’Hehir, the celebrated commentator. On hearing of Magnier’s plight, he mentioned Albert Power’s availability. Albert had ridden just one winner so far that year, so it was very much a case of being in the right place at the right time, although the grey Overshadow’s chances did not look all that promising. He was among the 20-1 outsiders in the 15-runner field.
Belying his age, Overshadow jumped out in front and remained there until headed by former Galway Plate winner St Kathleen II. When she departed at Ballyhack, Overshadow was left in front again. Several runners tried in turn to wrest the initiative but this was to be Overshadow’s day of glory. Still in front jumping the last, he galloped resolutely to the line four lengths clear of Pat Taaffe on Gallant Wolf. It was the undoubted highlight of Albert’s career.
Belying his age, Overshadow jumped out in front and remained there until headed by former Galway Plate winner St Kathleen II. When she departed at Ballyhack, Overshadow was left in front again. Several runners tried in turn to wrest the initiative but this was to be Overshadow’s day of glory. Still in front jumping the last, he galloped resolutely to the line four lengths clear of Pat Taaffe on Gallant Wolf. It was the undoubted highlight of Albert’s career.
Having long since hung up his boots, Albert Power subsequently became a member of the starting stalls team when stalls were introduced in Ireland during the second half of the 1960s. He died in 1989.
Having long since hung up his boots, Albert Power subsequently became a member of the starting stalls team when stalls were introduced in Ireland during the second half of the 1960s. He died in 1989.
Albert Power winning the 1953 Irish Grand National on Overshadow
Albert Power winning the 1953 Irish Grand National on Overshadow
Alfred falling from Derrinstown in the 1951 Grand National
Alfred falling from Derrinstown in the 1951 Grand National