Murtagh Farragher
Murtagh Farragher
Murtagh Farragher
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Murtagh Farragher was an Irish-based jockey who made frequent visits to Britain in the late 1920s and early 1930s. riding fifteen winners, ten of them in the 1927/28 season.
Murtagh Farragher was an Irish-based jockey who made frequent visits to Britain in the late 1920s and early 1930s. riding fifteen winners, ten of them in the 1927/28 season.
Racegoers had twice seen him in action in the early months of 1926 aboard the 14-year-old White Surrey. They finished sixth in the National Trial Chase at Gatwick on February 26 and then were among the fallers in that year’s Grand National. Twelve days after failing to complete the Grand National course, Murtagh opened his account in Britain with a double at Folkestone, landing the Penshurst Handicap Chase on Hugh O’Neill and the Waldershare Moderate Handicap Hurdle on Noisy. Both horses were owned and trained by former leading amateur rider Bob Gore at Findon, in Sussex. Three weeks later, Murtagh rode White Surrey in the Grand International Handicap Chase at Sandown, but they were again among the fallers.
Racegoers had twice seen him in action in the early months of 1926 aboard the 14-year-old White Surrey. They finished sixth in the National Trial Chase at Gatwick on February 26 and then were among the fallers in that year’s Grand National. Twelve days after failing to complete the Grand National course, Murtagh opened his account in Britain with a double at Folkestone, landing the Penshurst Handicap Chase on Hugh O’Neill and the Waldershare Moderate Handicap Hurdle on Noisy. Both horses were owned and trained by former leading amateur rider Bob Gore at Findon, in Sussex. Three weeks later, Murtagh rode White Surrey in the Grand International Handicap Chase at Sandown, but they were again among the fallers.
Eighteen months elapsed before Murtagh visited another English winner’s enclosure, but they then flowed steadily. Among the highlights were three wins in a row on selling chaser Honest Boy and doubles at Plumpton and Bungay. His final British victory came at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 6, 1931, when he partnered Grayswood in a match against top jockey Danny Morgan on Italian Summer. The latter started the 5-2 on favourite but it was Grayswood won triumphed by a distance. Thereafter, Murtagh focused his attention solely on riding in Ireland.
Eighteen months elapsed before Murtagh visited another English winner’s enclosure, but they then flowed steadily. Among the highlights were three wins in a row on selling chaser Honest Boy and doubles at Plumpton and Bungay. His final British victory came at Cardiff on Easter Monday, April 6, 1931, when he partnered Grayswood in a match against top jockey Danny Morgan on Italian Summer. The latter started the 5-2 on favourite but it was Grayswood won triumphed by a distance. Thereafter, Murtagh focused his attention solely on riding in Ireland.
Murtagh Farragher’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Murtagh Farragher’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Hugh O’Neill, Folkestone, April 7, 1926
1. Hugh O’Neill, Folkestone, April 7, 1926
2. Noisy, Folkestone, April 7, 1926
2. Noisy, Folkestone, April 7, 1926
3. Hard Court, Newbury, November 30, 1927
3. Hard Court, Newbury, November 30, 1927
4. Honest Boy, Plumpton, January 3, 1928
4. Honest Boy, Plumpton, January 3, 1928
5. Glangesia, Plumpton, January 3, 1928
5. Glangesia, Plumpton, January 3, 1928
6. Another Encounter, Lingfield Park, January 18, 1928
6. Another Encounter, Lingfield Park, January 18, 1928
7. Honest Boy, Warwick, February 7, 1928
7. Honest Boy, Warwick, February 7, 1928
8. Glangesia, Bournemouth, March 27, 1928
8. Glangesia, Bournemouth, March 27, 1928
9. Honest Boy, Plumpton, April 7, 1928
9. Honest Boy, Plumpton, April 7, 1928
10. Pine Bluff, Bungay, April 25, 1928
10. Pine Bluff, Bungay, April 25, 1928
11. Cymbal, Bungay, April 25, 1928
11. Cymbal, Bungay, April 25, 1928
12. Silver Chalice, Bungay, April 26, 1928
12. Silver Chalice, Bungay, April 26, 1928
13. Irish Lancer, Bungay, April 3, 1930
13. Irish Lancer, Bungay, April 3, 1930
14. Strumlever, Huntingdon, April 21, 1930
14. Strumlever, Huntingdon, April 21, 1930
15. Grayswood, Cardiff, April 6, 1931
15. Grayswood, Cardiff, April 6, 1931
A water fall: The American horse Pepi (number 19) sent over for a stab at the Grand National, falls at Plumpton's water jump, bringing down Murtagh Farragher's mount, seen here jumping in second. 1926.
A water fall: The American horse Pepi (number 19) sent over for a stab at the Grand National, falls at Plumpton's water jump, bringing down Murtagh Farragher's mount, seen here jumping in second. 1926.