Eamon Prendergast
Irish National Hunt jockey Eamon Prendergast was born in 1943, the eldest son of former jockey Mick (M. J.) Prendergast. He served his apprenticeship with Seamus McGrath and went on to ride winners under both codes on either side of the Irish Sea.
Irish National Hunt jockey Eamon Prendergast was born in 1943, the eldest son of former jockey Mick (M. J.) Prendergast. He served his apprenticeship with Seamus McGrath and went on to ride winners under both codes on either side of the Irish Sea.
He achieved his greatest success when winning the 1965 Molyneux Chase over two and a half miles of the Grand National course on Valouis, taking the lead on the run-in to beat Stan Hayhurst on Greek Scholar by six lengths, with John Leech on the favourite Spring Greeting five lengths further back in third place.
He achieved his greatest success when winning the 1965 Molyneux Chase over two and a half miles of the Grand National course on Valouis, taking the lead on the run-in to beat Stan Hayhurst on Greek Scholar by six lengths, with John Leech on the favourite Spring Greeting five lengths further back in third place.
In February 1966 Eamon won Navan’s Webster Cup Chase on Valouis. He then rode him in that year’s Grand National and was prominently placed when being brought down at Becher’s second time round.
In February 1966 Eamon won Navan’s Webster Cup Chase on Valouis. He then rode him in that year’s Grand National and was prominently placed when being brought down at Becher’s second time round.
Eamon rode Cyril Harty’s chaser Ronald’s Boy to win at Killarney in May 1967 and then scored a far more important victory on him four months later when landing the Kerry National at Listowel by eight lengths.
Eamon rode Cyril Harty’s chaser Ronald’s Boy to win at Killarney in May 1967 and then scored a far more important victory on him four months later when landing the Kerry National at Listowel by eight lengths.
Notwithstanding those big race wins, Eamon was still claiming an allowance as he had not yet ridden a sufficient number of winners to lose it. He achieved that milestone when winning a three-mile handicap chase on Valouis at Navan on March 9, 1968. Eamon’s next ride on Valouis was in that year’s Grand National. They were in the lead approaching Becher’s for the first time but that fence once again proved their downfall, being caught out by the big drop and capsizing on landing.
Notwithstanding those big race wins, Eamon was still claiming an allowance as he had not yet ridden a sufficient number of winners to lose it. He achieved that milestone when winning a three-mile handicap chase on Valouis at Navan on March 9, 1968. Eamon’s next ride on Valouis was in that year’s Grand National. They were in the lead approaching Becher’s for the first time but that fence once again proved their downfall, being caught out by the big drop and capsizing on landing.
The discrepancies between Britain and Ireland regarding the number of winners a jockey required to lose his claim meant that Eamon was still entitled to a 3lb allowance when he crossed the Irish Sea in 1969 to ride for Lanarkshire trainer Tommy Bell. He rode two winners for Bell during the 1969/70 season: the grey novice hurdler Tee-Cee-Bee at Kelso in January and novice chaser Avonbank at Carlisle in February.
The discrepancies between Britain and Ireland regarding the number of winners a jockey required to lose his claim meant that Eamon was still entitled to a 3lb allowance when he crossed the Irish Sea in 1969 to ride for Lanarkshire trainer Tommy Bell. He rode two winners for Bell during the 1969/70 season: the grey novice hurdler Tee-Cee-Bee at Kelso in January and novice chaser Avonbank at Carlisle in February.
After retiring from riding in 1978, Eamon assisted bloodstock agent Dick Morgan at Newmarket and Doncaster Sales. He died at Armthorpe, near Doncaster in October 1993, aged 50. He left a wife and two children. His funeral took place at St Leonard’s & St Mary’s Church, Armthorpe, on October 15, 1993.
After retiring from riding in 1978, Eamon assisted bloodstock agent Dick Morgan at Newmarket and Doncaster Sales. He died at Armthorpe, near Doncaster in October 1993, aged 50. He left a wife and two children. His funeral took place at St Leonard’s & St Mary’s Church, Armthorpe, on October 15, 1993.
Eamon Prendergast’s three British winners were:
Eamon Prendergast’s three British winners were:
Valouis, Liverpool, October 29, 1965
Valouis, Liverpool, October 29, 1965
Tee-Cee-Bee, Kelso, January 27, 1970
Tee-Cee-Bee, Kelso, January 27, 1970
Avonbank, Carlisle, February 2, 1970
Avonbank, Carlisle, February 2, 1970
Eamon Prendergast and Valouis are brought down at Becher's in the 1966 Grand National.
Eamon Prendergast and Valouis are brought down at Becher's in the 1966 Grand National.