Martin Phelan
The present-day racecourse at Hamilton Park was inaugurated in July 1926 following a hiatus of almost 20 years. The town’s previous course had opened in 1888. It was a right-handed circuit, nearly 1¼ miles round, bounded on one side by the River Clyde, and staged both Flat and National Hunt racing.
The present-day racecourse at Hamilton Park was inaugurated in July 1926 following a hiatus of almost 20 years. The town’s previous course had opened in 1888. It was a right-handed circuit, nearly 1¼ miles round, bounded on one side by the River Clyde, and staged both Flat and National Hunt racing.
The National Hunt meetings were run on a shoe-string and, with the exception of the Hamilton Park Handicap Steeplechase, worth £100, all the other NH races were worth only £50. Nonetheless, although the course was not a particularly good one, there was a feeling of sadness when it closed in 1907.
The National Hunt meetings were run on a shoe-string and, with the exception of the Hamilton Park Handicap Steeplechase, worth £100, all the other NH races were worth only £50. Nonetheless, although the course was not a particularly good one, there was a feeling of sadness when it closed in 1907.
One man who would have felt its loss more keenly than most was Martin Phelan, who had not only ridden his first winner there but was leading NH jockey at the course at the time of its closure. He rode a total of 34 winners at Hamilton, including a treble on April 4, 1904.
One man who would have felt its loss more keenly than most was Martin Phelan, who had not only ridden his first winner there but was leading NH jockey at the course at the time of its closure. He rode a total of 34 winners at Hamilton, including a treble on April 4, 1904.
Born in 1873, Martin Phelan had his first ride in public on a horse named Cambalu, who finished unplaced in the Optional Selling Hurdle at Eglinton Hunt (Bogside) on April 1, 1892. He registered his first winner on Ebony in Hamilton’s Tally-ho Chase on Easter Monday, March 26, 1894.
Born in 1873, Martin Phelan had his first ride in public on a horse named Cambalu, who finished unplaced in the Optional Selling Hurdle at Eglinton Hunt (Bogside) on April 1, 1892. He registered his first winner on Ebony in Hamilton’s Tally-ho Chase on Easter Monday, March 26, 1894.
Martin’s career was at its height in the first decade of the 20th century. His success was more about numbers than big race wins. The nearest he came to riding a major winner during the early years were when finishing fourth in the 1902 Scottish National on Pat-a-Cake and third in the 1903 Lancashire Chase on Lambay.
Martin’s career was at its height in the first decade of the 20th century. His success was more about numbers than big race wins. The nearest he came to riding a major winner during the early years were when finishing fourth in the 1902 Scottish National on Pat-a-Cake and third in the 1903 Lancashire Chase on Lambay.
He enjoyed his best year numerically in 1903 with 24 wins. He rode 21 in 1904, including the aforementioned Hamilton treble, and 17 in 1905, when his victories included a treble at Kelso’s United Border Hunt fixture in April.
He enjoyed his best year numerically in 1903 with 24 wins. He rode 21 in 1904, including the aforementioned Hamilton treble, and 17 in 1905, when his victories included a treble at Kelso’s United Border Hunt fixture in April.
In addition to Hamilton, Martin was also highly successful at Hexham, where he recorded 21 victories. They included doubles on both days of its May meeting in 1904 and a treble on May 20, 1907. He also did well at Shincliffe, the racecourse in County Durham, where he won 14 races.
In addition to Hamilton, Martin was also highly successful at Hexham, where he recorded 21 victories. They included doubles on both days of its May meeting in 1904 and a treble on May 20, 1907. He also did well at Shincliffe, the racecourse in County Durham, where he won 14 races.
He had two rides in the Grand National, both on Seisdon Prince. In 1907 they pulled up when 50-1 outsiders. However, they were well-fancied 14-1 chances in 1908 following their victory in the Liverpool Trial Chase at Sandown earlier that month. Sadly, they were unable to follow up in the real thing, Seisdon Prince being among the fallers.
He had two rides in the Grand National, both on Seisdon Prince. In 1907 they pulled up when 50-1 outsiders. However, they were well-fancied 14-1 chances in 1908 following their victory in the Liverpool Trial Chase at Sandown earlier that month. Sadly, they were unable to follow up in the real thing, Seisdon Prince being among the fallers.
Martin Phelan rode the last of his 119 winners over jumps on Venture V in the Heart of All England Cup at Hexham on May 6, 1909. At the same course later that same month, May 31, Venture V just failed to give him a winning send-off on his final ride in public, finishing second in the Greenridge Handicap Chase.
Martin Phelan rode the last of his 119 winners over jumps on Venture V in the Heart of All England Cup at Hexham on May 6, 1909. At the same course later that same month, May 31, Venture V just failed to give him a winning send-off on his final ride in public, finishing second in the Greenridge Handicap Chase.
