Oliver Plunkett
1896 - 1984
1896 - 1984
Oliver James Horace Plunkett was born on June 17, 1896. He was the elder son of the 11th Earl of Fingall and his wife Elizabeth Mary Margaret. He was educated at Downside and the Royal Military College before serving in the 17th/21st Lancers in the First World War, winning the MC.
Oliver James Horace Plunkett was born on June 17, 1896. He was the elder son of the 11th Earl of Fingall and his wife Elizabeth Mary Margaret. He was educated at Downside and the Royal Military College before serving in the 17th/21st Lancers in the First World War, winning the MC.
He was a keen and active amateur National Hunt jockey and was noticeable for wearing glasses during a race. In his early riding years, he rode as Lord Killeen until succeeding to the title of Lord Fingall on the death of his father on November 12, 1929.
He was a keen and active amateur National Hunt jockey and was noticeable for wearing glasses during a race. In his early riding years, he rode as Lord Killeen until succeeding to the title of Lord Fingall on the death of his father on November 12, 1929.
Lord Fingall won many races. He finished third in the 1926 Grand Military Gold Cup on Clashing Arms. He also owned and rode the useful chaser Gib, winning four races on him including the 1929 Grand Military Handicap Chase at Sandown, before selling him.
Lord Fingall won many races. He finished third in the 1926 Grand Military Gold Cup on Clashing Arms. He also owned and rode the useful chaser Gib, winning four races on him including the 1929 Grand Military Handicap Chase at Sandown, before selling him.
He achieved his most important success in the 1930 National Hunt Steeplechase at Cheltenham on Sir Lindsay.
He achieved his most important success in the 1930 National Hunt Steeplechase at Cheltenham on Sir Lindsay.
In 1951, he sold Killeen Castle which had been the family seat for many generations and dated back to Norman times.
In 1951, he sold Killeen Castle which had been the family seat for many generations and dated back to Norman times.
Lord Fingall farmed at Corballis, Dunsany, in Co. Meath and bred several useful horses, among them Golden Sovereign, Anthony and Sunlit Rise.
Lord Fingall farmed at Corballis, Dunsany, in Co. Meath and bred several useful horses, among them Golden Sovereign, Anthony and Sunlit Rise.
He also owned Roddy Owen when that horse won the 1959 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He also owned Roddy Owen when that horse won the 1959 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He had married Jessica Hughes in 1926. Following her death in 1965, Lord Fingall married Mrs Clair Richardson, widow of an army colleague.
He had married Jessica Hughes in 1926. Following her death in 1965, Lord Fingall married Mrs Clair Richardson, widow of an army colleague.
Oliver Plunkett, the 12th Earl of Fingall, died on March 5, 1984 aged 87.
Oliver Plunkett, the 12th Earl of Fingall, died on March 5, 1984 aged 87.