Michael Prendergast
1914 -1994
1914 -1994
Born in Ireland on June 16, 1914, Michael John Prendergast rode 61 winners in Britain on either side of World War Two including the Haydock Park Grand National Trial.
Born in Ireland on June 16, 1914, Michael John Prendergast rode 61 winners in Britain on either side of World War Two including the Haydock Park Grand National Trial.
He appeared for the first time in England when finishing third on Snipe in the Hopeful Hurdle at Plumpton on February 24, 1936. He rode his first winner on English soil aboard Cyrus in the Compton Selling Hurdle at Wolverhampton’s Christmas meeting on December 28, 1936.
He appeared for the first time in England when finishing third on Snipe in the Hopeful Hurdle at Plumpton on February 24, 1936. He rode his first winner on English soil aboard Cyrus in the Compton Selling Hurdle at Wolverhampton’s Christmas meeting on December 28, 1936.
Having ridden three winners during that 1936/37 season, he rode nine the next and eight in 1938/39. The best horse he rode prior to the war was Manteau Royal, on whom he won three races during the 1937/38 campaign and finished second in the Liverpool Hurdle and third in the Imperial Cup.
Having ridden three winners during that 1936/37 season, he rode nine the next and eight in 1938/39. The best horse he rode prior to the war was Manteau Royal, on whom he won three races during the 1937/38 campaign and finished second in the Liverpool Hurdle and third in the Imperial Cup.
He rarely rode in Britain during the war years but did finish third in the 1942 Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase on Broken Promise.
He rarely rode in Britain during the war years but did finish third in the 1942 Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase on Broken Promise.
After the war, he picked up where he had left off, riding 11 winners during the 1945/46 and 10 in 1946/47. The latter campaign included a double at Market Rasen on September 21, 1946 aboard Convalescent in division one of the Rasen Hurdle and Musical Lad in the three-mile Open Handicap Chase. He notched another double at Nottingham the following month on selling hurdler Loders and Musical Lad in the Nottingham Handicap Chase, having also won on the latter at Southwell eight days earlier. In addition to those three successes on Musical Lad, Michael finished second on him in the 1946 Grand Sefton Chase, beaten four lengths, and also rode him in the 1947 Grand National, where he was unluckily brought down at the Canal Turn second time round when up with the leaders.
After the war, he picked up where he had left off, riding 11 winners during the 1945/46 and 10 in 1946/47. The latter campaign included a double at Market Rasen on September 21, 1946 aboard Convalescent in division one of the Rasen Hurdle and Musical Lad in the three-mile Open Handicap Chase. He notched another double at Nottingham the following month on selling hurdler Loders and Musical Lad in the Nottingham Handicap Chase, having also won on the latter at Southwell eight days earlier. In addition to those three successes on Musical Lad, Michael finished second on him in the 1946 Grand Sefton Chase, beaten four lengths, and also rode him in the 1947 Grand National, where he was unluckily brought down at the Canal Turn second time round when up with the leaders.
Michael rode nine winners in 1947/48, the most important of which was the Haydock Park Grand National Trial Chase on Galllery. He finished third on Gallery in that season’s Lancashire Chase and fourth on him in the Scottish Grand National. He also finished second on Luan Casca in the Seven Springs Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting. Michael recorded a double at Bangor on April 3, 1948, landing the Wynnstay Handicap Hurdle on Fleur de Lys and the Bangor Handicap Chase on Nack.
Michael rode nine winners in 1947/48, the most important of which was the Haydock Park Grand National Trial Chase on Galllery. He finished third on Gallery in that season’s Lancashire Chase and fourth on him in the Scottish Grand National. He also finished second on Luan Casca in the Seven Springs Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Meeting. Michael recorded a double at Bangor on April 3, 1948, landing the Wynnstay Handicap Hurdle on Fleur de Lys and the Bangor Handicap Chase on Nack.
He rode his last winner on Usonia, the 7-2 on favourite, in the Hainton Hurdle at Market Rasen on October 15, 1949. Usonia was also his final mount when finishing unplaced in the Boxing Day Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on December 26, 1949.
He rode his last winner on Usonia, the 7-2 on favourite, in the Hainton Hurdle at Market Rasen on October 15, 1949. Usonia was also his final mount when finishing unplaced in the Boxing Day Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on December 26, 1949.
Michael Prendergast died on December 26 1994.
Michael Prendergast died on December 26 1994.
