Cathal Finnegan
Cathal Finnegan was a stalwart Irish National Hunt jockey from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, riding well in excess of 200 winners. He gained his biggest domestic victory on Garoupe in the 1970 Irish Grand National, a race in which he had twice previously finished second. His most important success in Britain was achieved on Scottish Memories in the 1961 Mackeson Gold Cup.
Cathal Finnegan was a stalwart Irish National Hunt jockey from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, riding well in excess of 200 winners. He gained his biggest domestic victory on Garoupe in the 1970 Irish Grand National, a race in which he had twice previously finished second. His most important success in Britain was achieved on Scottish Memories in the 1961 Mackeson Gold Cup.
Cathal first came to prominence in 1955, recording a score of 17 wins for the year. (The Irish season in those days was based on the calendar year and incorporated both Flat and National Hunt wins, with many jockeys plying their trade under both rules.) His wins that year included Fly Along in the Celbridge Handicap Chase at Nass and Bold Buck in the Webster Cup at Navan. He also finished second on Bold Buck, beaten three-quarters of a length, in that year’s Irish Grand National.
Cathal first came to prominence in 1955, recording a score of 17 wins for the year. (The Irish season in those days was based on the calendar year and incorporated both Flat and National Hunt wins, with many jockeys plying their trade under both rules.) His wins that year included Fly Along in the Celbridge Handicap Chase at Nass and Bold Buck in the Webster Cup at Navan. He also finished second on Bold Buck, beaten three-quarters of a length, in that year’s Irish Grand National.
He rode 20 winners in 1956, 22 in 1957 and 25 in 1958. He again came close to landing the Irish Grand National in 1958, this time on Knight Errant, going down by just a head to Johnny Lehane’s mount Gold Legend. He gained a degree of compensation the very next day when winning the valuable Easter Chase on More Power, a victory they repeated twelve months later.
He rode 20 winners in 1956, 22 in 1957 and 25 in 1958. He again came close to landing the Irish Grand National in 1958, this time on Knight Errant, going down by just a head to Johnny Lehane’s mount Gold Legend. He gained a degree of compensation the very next day when winning the valuable Easter Chase on More Power, a victory they repeated twelve months later.
Cathal rode in three Grand Nationals: No Response (1956), Irish Coffee (1959) and Uncle Whiskers (1960), all of whom fell. Otherwise, he rarely rode in Britain. However, he achieved a notable victory at Cheltenham on November 11, 1961 aboard Scottish Memories in the second running of the Mackeson Gold Cup. Scottish Memories was officially trained by Arthur Thomas at Guy’s Cliffe, near Warwick, but it was common knowledge that the brains behind the training operation were those of leading Irish trainer Paddy Sleator. Always prominent, Cathal took his horse to the front two fences from home and stayed on strongly to beat Irish-trained top-weight Fortria by three lengths.
Cathal rode in three Grand Nationals: No Response (1956), Irish Coffee (1959) and Uncle Whiskers (1960), all of whom fell. Otherwise, he rarely rode in Britain. However, he achieved a notable victory at Cheltenham on November 11, 1961 aboard Scottish Memories in the second running of the Mackeson Gold Cup. Scottish Memories was officially trained by Arthur Thomas at Guy’s Cliffe, near Warwick, but it was common knowledge that the brains behind the training operation were those of leading Irish trainer Paddy Sleator. Always prominent, Cathal took his horse to the front two fences from home and stayed on strongly to beat Irish-trained top-weight Fortria by three lengths.
Cathal went close to landing a second big race that season when finishing second, beaten a neck, on Brown Diamond in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January 1962. Later that year he gained his most important Irish success thus far when winning Listowel’s Kerry National on Gold Nuggett III for owner-trainer Cornelius O’Keeffe.
Cathal went close to landing a second big race that season when finishing second, beaten a neck, on Brown Diamond in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January 1962. Later that year he gained his most important Irish success thus far when winning Listowel’s Kerry National on Gold Nuggett III for owner-trainer Cornelius O’Keeffe.
He rode just two more winners in Britain, both in the 1964/65 season on Scottish Memories, in Sandown’s Autumn Trial Chase on November 9, and the Cheltenham Trial Hurdle on December 14. Later that season he won the valuable Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle on K.O. at Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting. He equalled his best annual score of 25 winners in the 1965 calendar year.
He rode just two more winners in Britain, both in the 1964/65 season on Scottish Memories, in Sandown’s Autumn Trial Chase on November 9, and the Cheltenham Trial Hurdle on December 14. Later that season he won the valuable Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle on K.O. at Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting. He equalled his best annual score of 25 winners in the 1965 calendar year.
He enjoyed a particularly good season in 1965/66, when his victories included a notable treble at the Listowel Festival in September, comprising the Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle on Waterloo Prince, a second Kerry National on Packed Home, and the Double Diamond Handicap Hurdle on K.O.. The following month he won H.E. The President’s Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park on Gypsando. Cathal then rode Gypsando to victory in the Naas Handicap Hurdle, the Tower Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown and the Scalp Hurdle, again at Leopardstown, before taking their chance in the 1966 Champion Hurdle, in which they finished ninth behind Salmon Spray.
He enjoyed a particularly good season in 1965/66, when his victories included a notable treble at the Listowel Festival in September, comprising the Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle on Waterloo Prince, a second Kerry National on Packed Home, and the Double Diamond Handicap Hurdle on K.O.. The following month he won H.E. The President’s Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park on Gypsando. Cathal then rode Gypsando to victory in the Naas Handicap Hurdle, the Tower Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown and the Scalp Hurdle, again at Leopardstown, before taking their chance in the 1966 Champion Hurdle, in which they finished ninth behind Salmon Spray.
Among the winners he rode during the 1966/67 season was future Grand National winner Gay Trip. Cathal was in the saddle for that horse’s first-ever win, in division two of the Grakle Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park on January 26, 1967. Another good horse he rode that year was Hove, trained by Francis Flood. Cathal rode him to win the Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle at Sligo in June. In November that year, he won the Benson and Hedges Silk Cut Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on former Champion Hurdle winner Another Flash. Among his other successes was future top chaser French Tan, trained by Archie Watson, in the Fingall Hurdle at Fairyhouse’s 1968 Easter meeting.
Among the winners he rode during the 1966/67 season was future Grand National winner Gay Trip. Cathal was in the saddle for that horse’s first-ever win, in division two of the Grakle Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park on January 26, 1967. Another good horse he rode that year was Hove, trained by Francis Flood. Cathal rode him to win the Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle at Sligo in June. In November that year, he won the Benson and Hedges Silk Cut Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on former Champion Hurdle winner Another Flash. Among his other successes was future top chaser French Tan, trained by Archie Watson, in the Fingall Hurdle at Fairyhouse’s 1968 Easter meeting.
During the 1968/69 season Cathal won four hurdle races on the Tom Costello-trained Orient War, at Limerick, Thurles, Gowran Park and Baldoyle. The following season he came agonisingly close to recording the biggest victory of his career on Orient War when beaten a neck by Terry Biddlecombe on Normandy in the Sweeps Hurdle on December 27, 1969.
During the 1968/69 season Cathal won four hurdle races on the Tom Costello-trained Orient War, at Limerick, Thurles, Gowran Park and Baldoyle. The following season he came agonisingly close to recording the biggest victory of his career on Orient War when beaten a neck by Terry Biddlecombe on Normandy in the Sweeps Hurdle on December 27, 1969.
He didn’t have long to wait before gaining more than ample compensation, just three months in fact. On Easter Monday, March 30, 1970, Cathal gained his greatest triumph when winning the Irish Grand National on Garoupe (right) for trainer Francis Flood. Cathal’s triumph was marred, if only temporarily, by his passing out on returning to weigh in. This was his first ride in a chase since injuring his always-troublesome shoulder. Happily, he recovered sufficiently to take part in the presentation ceremony, receiving his rider’s trophy from Ireland’s then Minister for Finance, Charles Haughey.
He didn’t have long to wait before gaining more than ample compensation, just three months in fact. On Easter Monday, March 30, 1970, Cathal gained his greatest triumph when winning the Irish Grand National on Garoupe (right) for trainer Francis Flood. Cathal’s triumph was marred, if only temporarily, by his passing out on returning to weigh in. This was his first ride in a chase since injuring his always-troublesome shoulder. Happily, he recovered sufficiently to take part in the presentation ceremony, receiving his rider’s trophy from Ireland’s then Minister for Finance, Charles Haughey.
That was the pinnacle of Cathal’s career. He continued to ride for another three years but the glory days were behind him. He rode a few winners but they were in minor contests, the last of them being Dark Eyes, owned by Eileen, Countess of Mount Charies, in a maiden hurdle at Limerick Junction (now called Tipperary) on September 20, 1973. He had his final ride the following month on Another Diamond at Galway on October 6, finishing fourth.
That was the pinnacle of Cathal’s career. He continued to ride for another three years but the glory days were behind him. He rode a few winners but they were in minor contests, the last of them being Dark Eyes, owned by Eileen, Countess of Mount Charies, in a maiden hurdle at Limerick Junction (now called Tipperary) on September 20, 1973. He had his final ride the following month on Another Diamond at Galway on October 6, finishing fourth.
His granddaughter Emily Finnegan became an apprentice jockey in Ireland, based with Mick Halford, before emigrating to Australia in 2014 before she had a chance to ride in a race in Ireland. She is now a successful jockey there, based in Adelaide and riding winners at the South Australian metropolitan tracks and at country race meetings. She was South Australian metropolitan champion apprentice in 2016 and has ridden around 300 winners to date, including two Listed races, the 2016 Ubet Cinderella Stakes aboard Moshki and the 2017 Dequetteville Stakes aboard Split Lip.
His granddaughter Emily Finnegan became an apprentice jockey in Ireland, based with Mick Halford, before emigrating to Australia in 2014 before she had a chance to ride in a race in Ireland. She is now a successful jockey there, based in Adelaide and riding winners at the South Australian metropolitan tracks and at country race meetings. She was South Australian metropolitan champion apprentice in 2016 and has ridden around 300 winners to date, including two Listed races, the 2016 Ubet Cinderella Stakes aboard Moshki and the 2017 Dequetteville Stakes aboard Split Lip.
Cathal Finnegan’s notable wins included:
Cathal Finnegan’s notable wins included:
1955: Celbridge Handicap Chase (Nass) on Fly Along.
1955: Celbridge Handicap Chase (Nass) on Fly Along.
1956: Crafty Prince Cup Handicap Chase (Killarney) on Cannobie Lee; Windsor Lad Perpetual Challenge Cup Chase (Killarney) on Fly Along.
1956: Crafty Prince Cup Handicap Chase (Killarney) on Cannobie Lee; Windsor Lad Perpetual Challenge Cup Chase (Killarney) on Fly Along.
1957: Scalp Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Caesar’s Helm; Sallins Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Robertstown; Widger Memorial Cup Chase (Waterford & Tramore) on No Sale.
1957: Scalp Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Caesar’s Helm; Sallins Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Robertstown; Widger Memorial Cup Chase (Waterford & Tramore) on No Sale.
1958 Sandyford Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Uncle Whiskers; Easter Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) on More Power; Sarawaki Cup Handicap Chase (Killarney) on Spoiled Bloom; Paget Cup Handicap Chase (Tralee) on Spoiled Bloom.
1958 Sandyford Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Uncle Whiskers; Easter Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) on More Power; Sarawaki Cup Handicap Chase (Killarney) on Spoiled Bloom; Paget Cup Handicap Chase (Tralee) on Spoiled Bloom.
1959: Feltrim Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) on Solitude; Easter Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) on More Power; Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Uncle Whiskers.
1959: Feltrim Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) on Solitude; Easter Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) on More Power; Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Uncle Whiskers.
1960: Feltrim Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) in Gay Navaree.
1960: Feltrim Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) in Gay Navaree.
1961: Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Connivance. Mackeson Gold Cup (Cheltenham) on Scottish Memories.
1961: Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Connivance. Mackeson Gold Cup (Cheltenham) on Scottish Memories.
1962: Drogheda Handicap (Punchestown) on Highfield Lad; Kerry National Handicap Chase (Listowel) on Gold Nuggett III
1962: Drogheda Handicap (Punchestown) on Highfield Lad; Kerry National Handicap Chase (Listowel) on Gold Nuggett III
1963: Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) on Judkin; Lehaunstown Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Carbury Castle.
1963: Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) on Judkin; Lehaunstown Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Carbury Castle.
1964: Autumn Trial Chase (Sandown) on Scottish Memories; Cheltenham Trail Hurdle (Cheltenham) on Scottish Memories.
1964: Autumn Trial Chase (Sandown) on Scottish Memories; Cheltenham Trail Hurdle (Cheltenham) on Scottish Memories.
1965: Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on K.O.; Paget Cup Handicap Chase (Tralee) on Packed Home; Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on Waterloo Prince; Kerry National Handicap Chase (Listowel) on Packed Home; Double Diamond Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on K.O.; H.E. The President’s Handicap Hurdle (Gowran Park) on Gypsando; Naas Handicap Hurdle (Naas) on Gypsando; Tower Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Gypsando.
1965: Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on K.O.; Paget Cup Handicap Chase (Tralee) on Packed Home; Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on Waterloo Prince; Kerry National Handicap Chase (Listowel) on Packed Home; Double Diamond Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on K.O.; H.E. The President’s Handicap Hurdle (Gowran Park) on Gypsando; Naas Handicap Hurdle (Naas) on Gypsando; Tower Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Gypsando.
1966: New Year Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) on Vultrip; Scalp Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Gypsando; Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on Ambrose; Christmas Present Handicap Chase (Navan) on Do It Again.
1966: New Year Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) on Vultrip; Scalp Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Gypsando; Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on Ambrose; Christmas Present Handicap Chase (Navan) on Do It Again.
1967: Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle (Sligo) on Hove.; Double Diamond Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on Home Alone II; Benson and Hedges Silk Cut Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) on Another Flash.
1967: Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle (Sligo) on Hove.; Double Diamond Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on Home Alone II; Benson and Hedges Silk Cut Handicap Chase (Fairyhouse) on Another Flash.
1968: Fingal Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on French Tan; Windsor Lad Cup (Killarney) on Home Alone II; Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Skelly’s Cassius; Kerry Precision Handicap Hurdle (Tralee) on Willmount; Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on Kilvarnet; Tower Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on San-Feliu; Terenure Novice Chase (Leopardstown) on Logic II.
1968: Fingal Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on French Tan; Windsor Lad Cup (Killarney) on Home Alone II; Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Skelly’s Cassius; Kerry Precision Handicap Hurdle (Tralee) on Willmount; Phoenix Beer Handicap Hurdle (Listowel) on Kilvarnet; Tower Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on San-Feliu; Terenure Novice Chase (Leopardstown) on Logic II.
1969: Claremont Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Tiller.
1969: Claremont Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Tiller.
1970: Irish Grand National (Fairyhouse) on Garoupe; Connaught Handicap Chase (Ballinrobe) on Chariots Cousin.
1970: Irish Grand National (Fairyhouse) on Garoupe; Connaught Handicap Chase (Ballinrobe) on Chariots Cousin.