John Feehan
John Feehan
John Feehan
c1888-1911
c1888-1911
John Feehan was born in Tullamore and rode mainly in Ireland. He was apprenticed to Michael Dawson and started out on the Flat. His first ride in Britain was an unplaced effort on an unnamed three-year-old in the Ford Manor Handicap at Lingfield Park on June 11, 1907.
John Feehan was born in Tullamore and rode mainly in Ireland. He was apprenticed to Michael Dawson and started out on the Flat. His first ride in Britain was an unplaced effort on an unnamed three-year-old in the Ford Manor Handicap at Lingfield Park on June 11, 1907.
He began putting on weight very quickly and the rides dried up. He decided to go to Belgium where he became a jump jockey, winning on his first mount. However, he began to miss Ireland and, returning there, joined James J. Maher’s stable at Clonsilla, Co. Dublin, before moving on to Sussex trainer Bob Gore in 1910.
He began putting on weight very quickly and the rides dried up. He decided to go to Belgium where he became a jump jockey, winning on his first mount. However, he began to miss Ireland and, returning there, joined James J. Maher’s stable at Clonsilla, Co. Dublin, before moving on to Sussex trainer Bob Gore in 1910.
He had his first success in England when Razorbill won the Winchester Handicap Chase at Newbury on November 26, 1908. He recorded his second win the following month when Caruso won the Long Ditton Selling Hurdle at Sandown Park by three-quarters of a length.
He had his first success in England when Razorbill won the Winchester Handicap Chase at Newbury on November 26, 1908. He recorded his second win the following month when Caruso won the Long Ditton Selling Hurdle at Sandown Park by three-quarters of a length.
Although did not ride a winner in Britain in 1909, he did well in his native Ireland, including winning Leopardstown’s Foxrock Handicap Chase on Ballyhackle in February. He also finished fourth on that horse in that year’s Welsh Grand National at Cardiff in April.
Although did not ride a winner in Britain in 1909, he did well in his native Ireland, including winning Leopardstown’s Foxrock Handicap Chase on Ballyhackle in February. He also finished fourth on that horse in that year’s Welsh Grand National at Cardiff in April.
He enjoyed a successful 1910 campaign with 14 wins. Among the highlights were doubles at Lingfield Park and Cardiff, and nine wins in just 40 days towards the end of the year.
He enjoyed a successful 1910 campaign with 14 wins. Among the highlights were doubles at Lingfield Park and Cardiff, and nine wins in just 40 days towards the end of the year.
Three wins on Periwinkle II started 1911 on a high note, the last of these being victory by half a length in the Snow Hill Handicap Chase at Birmingham on February 6. He had what proved to be his final ride in Britain five days later when finishing fourth on Washington in the Railway Selling Handicap Chase at Haydock Park.
Three wins on Periwinkle II started 1911 on a high note, the last of these being victory by half a length in the Snow Hill Handicap Chase at Birmingham on February 6. He had what proved to be his final ride in Britain five days later when finishing fourth on Washington in the Railway Selling Handicap Chase at Haydock Park.
Sadly, a week later he was dead. He died on Saturday morning, February 18, 1911, from pneumonia contracted the previous week at Manchester as the result of sleeping in a damp bed. He was 23 and unmarried.
Sadly, a week later he was dead. He died on Saturday morning, February 18, 1911, from pneumonia contracted the previous week at Manchester as the result of sleeping in a damp bed. He was 23 and unmarried.
John Feehan’s British winners were, in chronological order:
John Feehan’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Razorbill, Newbury, November 26, 1908
1. Razorbill, Newbury, November 26, 1908
2. Caruso, Sandown Park, December 11, 1908
2. Caruso, Sandown Park, December 11, 1908
3. Valentine Vox, Hurst Park, February 10, 1910
3. Valentine Vox, Hurst Park, February 10, 1910
4. Rough pup, Lingfield Park, February 12, 1910
4. Rough pup, Lingfield Park, February 12, 1910
5. Grecian Guile, Lingfield Park, February 12, 1910
5. Grecian Guile, Lingfield Park, February 12, 1910
6. Valentine Vox, Gatwick, February 26, 1910
6. Valentine Vox, Gatwick, February 26, 1910
7. Diadem, Hambledon Hunt, May 5, 1910
7. Diadem, Hambledon Hunt, May 5, 1910
8. Calendar, Wye, November 7, 1910
8. Calendar, Wye, November 7, 1910
9. Tilda, Cardiff, November 9, 1910
9. Tilda, Cardiff, November 9, 1910
10. Kilsby, Cardiff, November 9, 1910
10. Kilsby, Cardiff, November 9, 1910
11. Fascinator II, Newport, November 10, 1910
11. Fascinator II, Newport, November 10, 1910
12. Tilda, Hawthorn Hill, November 14, 1910
12. Tilda, Hawthorn Hill, November 14, 1910
13. Fascinator II, Portsmouth Park, November 25, 1910
13. Fascinator II, Portsmouth Park, November 25, 1910
14. Bird Of Prey, Newbury, December 6, 1910
14. Bird Of Prey, Newbury, December 6, 1910
15. Bird Of Prey, Windsor, December 14, 1910
15. Bird Of Prey, Windsor, December 14, 1910
16. Alert III, Folkestone, December 19, 1910
16. Alert III, Folkestone, December 19, 1910
17. Periwinkle II, Manchester, January 3, 1911
17. Periwinkle II, Manchester, January 3, 1911
18. Periwinkle II, Newbury, January 18, 1911
18. Periwinkle II, Newbury, January 18, 1911
19. Periwinkle II, Birmingham, February 6, 1911
19. Periwinkle II, Birmingham, February 6, 1911
John's first win in England: Razorbill, Newbury, November 26, 1908
John's first win in England: Razorbill, Newbury, November 26, 1908
John Feehan's final winner: Periwinkle II, Birmingham, February 6, 1911
John Feehan's final winner: Periwinkle II, Birmingham, February 6, 1911
John falls from Washington at Hurst Park's open ditch. Friday January 13 1911.
John falls from Washington at Hurst Park's open ditch. Friday January 13 1911.
February 1911
February 1911