Paddy Powell Jr
1928 - 1995
1928 - 1995
Born in 1928 at Grangecon, Co. Wicklow, Paddy Powell Junior was the son of Irish Grand National-winning Paddy Powell. He was always intent on following in his father’s footsteps and at the age of fourteen began his apprenticeship with Roderic More O’Ferrall at Kildangan.
Born in 1928 at Grangecon, Co. Wicklow, Paddy Powell Junior was the son of Irish Grand National-winning Paddy Powell. He was always intent on following in his father’s footsteps and at the age of fourteen began his apprenticeship with Roderic More O’Ferrall at Kildangan.
Within a year he had ridden his first winner on Airy Prince in a mile-and-a-half handicap at thew Curragh on October 2, 1943. By the end of 1946 he had amassed a total of 43 wins, all of which were recorded in competition with senior jockeys, there being no apprentice races in Ireland during the war.
Within a year he had ridden his first winner on Airy Prince in a mile-and-a-half handicap at thew Curragh on October 2, 1943. By the end of 1946 he had amassed a total of 43 wins, all of which were recorded in competition with senior jockeys, there being no apprentice races in Ireland during the war.
He then moved to Newmarket to complete his apprenticeship with Colonel Dick Warden, where his quiet but determined horsemanship brought him further success. He eventually returned to Ireland, having ridden more than 60 winners during his time as an apprentice in Ireland and England.
He then moved to Newmarket to complete his apprenticeship with Colonel Dick Warden, where his quiet but determined horsemanship brought him further success. He eventually returned to Ireland, having ridden more than 60 winners during his time as an apprentice in Ireland and England.
The best horse he rode was Zarathustra, trained by Mick Hurley, on whom he won two classics, the Irish Derby (at 50-1) and the Irish St Leger in 1954. He also rode him to win that year’s Desmond Stakes at the Curragh, then the following year added the Chippenham Stakes at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting.
The best horse he rode was Zarathustra, trained by Mick Hurley, on whom he won two classics, the Irish Derby (at 50-1) and the Irish St Leger in 1954. He also rode him to win that year’s Desmond Stakes at the Curragh, then the following year added the Chippenham Stakes at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting.
Another career milestone was riding a four-timer at Phoenix Park on August 7, 1954, highlighted by the prestigious Phoenix Stakes on My Beau.
Another career milestone was riding a four-timer at Phoenix Park on August 7, 1954, highlighted by the prestigious Phoenix Stakes on My Beau.
He was unlucky not to ride two other classic winners. His aversion to flying cost him the 1962 Prix Royal Oak (French St Leger) on Sicilian Prince, while a riding accident forced him to forfeit the winning ride on Paveh in the 1966 Irish Two Thousand Guineas.
He was unlucky not to ride two other classic winners. His aversion to flying cost him the 1962 Prix Royal Oak (French St Leger) on Sicilian Prince, while a riding accident forced him to forfeit the winning ride on Paveh in the 1966 Irish Two Thousand Guineas.
Throughout his career he rode under the name Paddy Powell Junior in order to differentiate himself from his father. He was equally adept on the Flat and over hurdles, it being common at that time for Irish jockeys to ride under both codes. He won the 1954 County Hurdle and the 1957 Spa Hurdle at Cheltenham on Bold Baby, while in Ireland he won the Galway Hurdle twice, on Antique II in 1955 and Ticonderoga in 1965.
Throughout his career he rode under the name Paddy Powell Junior in order to differentiate himself from his father. He was equally adept on the Flat and over hurdles, it being common at that time for Irish jockeys to ride under both codes. He won the 1954 County Hurdle and the 1957 Spa Hurdle at Cheltenham on Bold Baby, while in Ireland he won the Galway Hurdle twice, on Antique II in 1955 and Ticonderoga in 1965.
Ironically, having given Paddy with his two Irish classic successes, Mick Hurley also provided him with the winner that ended his career as a jockey – Giolla Mear. Having passed the post in front in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on June 5, 1968, the temperamental colt threw Paddy, fracturing his thigh, as a result of which he was forced to retire. During his career he had ridden 650 winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
Ironically, having given Paddy with his two Irish classic successes, Mick Hurley also provided him with the winner that ended his career as a jockey – Giolla Mear. Having passed the post in front in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on June 5, 1968, the temperamental colt threw Paddy, fracturing his thigh, as a result of which he was forced to retire. During his career he had ridden 650 winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
On his retirement, Paddy became an official of the Turf Club, going on to become the Club’s senior starter When not involved in racing affairs, he indulged his passion for hunting as huntsman to the Naas Harriers.
On his retirement, Paddy became an official of the Turf Club, going on to become the Club’s senior starter When not involved in racing affairs, he indulged his passion for hunting as huntsman to the Naas Harriers.
Paddy Powell Junior died in Dublin Hospital on June 20, 1995, aged 67.
Paddy Powell Junior died in Dublin Hospital on June 20, 1995, aged 67.
His son Anthony was a stylish and successful National Hunt rider who won the 1989 Irish Grand National on Maid Of Money. Tragically, he was killed instantly when his car left the road near the Curragh in February 2003.
His son Anthony was a stylish and successful National Hunt rider who won the 1989 Irish Grand National on Maid Of Money. Tragically, he was killed instantly when his car left the road near the Curragh in February 2003.
Paddy Powell Junior’s British winners, all Irish-trained, as a fully-fledged jockey (i.e. excluding those as an apprentice) were:
Paddy Powell Junior’s British winners, all Irish-trained, as a fully-fledged jockey (i.e. excluding those as an apprentice) were:
On the Flat
On the Flat
Mrs. Dale: Staithes Maiden Plate, Redcar, June 20, 1953
Mrs. Dale: Staithes Maiden Plate, Redcar, June 20, 1953
Zarathustra: Chippenham Stakes, Newmarket, April 27, 1955
Zarathustra: Chippenham Stakes, Newmarket, April 27, 1955
Armeria: Arran (3yo) Stakes, Ayr, September 18, 1963
Armeria: Arran (3yo) Stakes, Ayr, September 18, 1963
Running Shoes, Honey Bee (2yo) Maiden Plate, Liverpool, June 24, 1964
Running Shoes, Honey Bee (2yo) Maiden Plate, Liverpool, June 24, 1964
Over hurdles
Over hurdles
Bold Baby: County Handicap Hurdle, Cheltenham, March 4, 1954
Bold Baby: County Handicap Hurdle, Cheltenham, March 4, 1954
Bold Baby: Spa Hurdle, Cheltenham, March 14, 1957
Bold Baby: Spa Hurdle, Cheltenham, March 14, 1957
