Patrick Fleming

Patrick Fleming

Article by Alan Trout

Patrick Fleming was an Irish dual-purpose jockey who made occasional visits to Britain and racked up ten wins over jumps in as many years, as well as two on the Flat.  

Victory on the Irish-trained Short Knock in the Wigan Chase at Haydock Park on December 17, 1920, was achieved on his first ride in England. He had won twice on the gelding at Mullingar and Athlone in September, and duly completed a four-timer when landing the first race of 1921 at Manchester on January 1 in the New Year Chase, winning by 20 lengths. 

Although he continued to ride the occasional winner over jumps, he was also in action on the Flat, achieving his first success in that sphere when Tiny Bird took the Surrey Two-Year-Old Selling Plate at Lingfield Park on March 29, 1924. 

Patrick had his last Flat win at Bath on July 16, 1930, when scoring by three-quarters of a length on Alone in the Bristol Selling Handicap. On  April 7, 1931, there was a final win over jumps when Golden Cloud landed the Jubilee Hurdle at Manchester.

As with many other former jockeys, Patrick was granted a licence to ride on the Flat in England during wartime, although he had no further wins.     

Patrick Fleming’s British winners were, in chronological order:

1. Short Knock, Haydock Park, December 17, 1920 (NH)

2. Short Knock, Manchester, January 1, 1921 (NH)

3. Short Knock, Perth, September 30, 1922 (NH)

4. Cherry Bob, Newbury, November 28, 1923 (NH)

5. Green Label, Wye, March 19, 1924 (NH)

6. Tiny Bird, Lingfield Park, March 29, 1924 (Flat)

7. Southern Lass, Folkestone, April 17, 1924 (NH)

8. Green Label, Bournemouth, December 23, 1925 (NH)

9. Dobby Horse, Wye, November 1, 1926 (NH)

10. Dobby Horse, Gatwick, December 15, 1926 (NH)

11. Alone, Bath, July 16, 1930 (Flat)

12. Golden Cloud, Manchester, April 7, 1931 (NH)