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Tony Prendergast
Tony Prendergast
1923-1996
1923-1996
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1923, Anthony Oliver Prendergast, known as Tony, was an Irish jockey who had a few rides in Britain, two of which won. On home soil he amassed more than 30 wins between 1951 and 1958, including two of Ireland’s biggest races, the Leopardstown Chase and the Thyestes Chase.
Born in 1923, Anthony Oliver Prendergast, known as Tony, was an Irish jockey who had a few rides in Britain, two of which won. On home soil he amassed more than 30 wins between 1951 and 1958, including two of Ireland’s biggest races, the Leopardstown Chase and the Thyestes Chase.
His first mount in England was the eight-year-old Dominick’s Bar in the 1952 Grand National. Their participation did not last long, falling at the first fence.
His first mount in England was the eight-year-old Dominick’s Bar in the 1952 Grand National. Their participation did not last long, falling at the first fence.
He only had one ride in England during the 1953/54 campaign but it was a winning one, with Average, owned by Clifford Nicholson and trained in Ireland by Paddy Sleator, landing the Avon Hurdle at Stratford-on-Avon on November 7, 1954. The eight-year-old had not run over jumps for over 18 months but, sharpened up by a run on the flat at Powerstown Park (known today as Clonmel), Average proved anything but and won by four lengths.
He only had one ride in England during the 1953/54 campaign but it was a winning one, with Average, owned by Clifford Nicholson and trained in Ireland by Paddy Sleator, landing the Avon Hurdle at Stratford-on-Avon on November 7, 1954. The eight-year-old had not run over jumps for over 18 months but, sharpened up by a run on the flat at Powerstown Park (known today as Clonmel), Average proved anything but and won by four lengths.
Tony’s only other English success came when Box On, also trained by Paddy Sleator, made all the running and held off the challenge of Arthur Thompson on Samudra to win the Club Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park on December 10, 1954.
Tony’s only other English success came when Box On, also trained by Paddy Sleator, made all the running and held off the challenge of Arthur Thompson on Samudra to win the Club Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park on December 10, 1954.
Following their Haydock success, both horse and jockey concentrated on the Irish racing scene. Tony won six races in 1955 including his two greatest triumphs on the Paddy Sleator-trained Copp in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park on January 26 and the Leopardstown Chase on March 1, beating future Grand National winner Sundew by a length on the latter occasion. On the strength of those two victories, Copp started a well-backed 7/1 favourite for the 1955 Grand National, ridden that day by Tim Molony, but was among the early fallers.
Following their Haydock success, both horse and jockey concentrated on the Irish racing scene. Tony won six races in 1955 including his two greatest triumphs on the Paddy Sleator-trained Copp in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park on January 26 and the Leopardstown Chase on March 1, beating future Grand National winner Sundew by a length on the latter occasion. On the strength of those two victories, Copp started a well-backed 7/1 favourite for the 1955 Grand National, ridden that day by Tim Molony, but was among the early fallers.
Tim Molony was the successful rider when Tony had his last ride in England, finishing second on Irish challenger Hern’s Gift in the Garnock Hurdle at Bogside on April 26, 1957.
Tim Molony was the successful rider when Tony had his last ride in England, finishing second on Irish challenger Hern’s Gift in the Garnock Hurdle at Bogside on April 26, 1957.
Tony Prendergast died in 1996.
Tony Prendergast died in 1996.
Copp, one of Tony's biggest winners
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