Paul Flynn
Of the 48 jockeys who, in January 2000, had ridden at least ten winners that season, only one was not getting paid for it.
Of the 48 jockeys who, in January 2000, had ridden at least ten winners that season, only one was not getting paid for it.
Paul Flynn, who admitted to having no money, no car & no pretensions, was that solitary amateur.
Paul Flynn, who admitted to having no money, no car & no pretensions, was that solitary amateur.
He also had no worries, an unflappable temperament and enough talent in the saddle to ensure that his larder would never be empty.Â
He also had no worries, an unflappable temperament and enough talent in the saddle to ensure that his larder would never be empty.Â
Born in 1980, Paul grew up in Co Kildare, and though his father and grandfather both worked on stud farms, Paul originally wanted to be a fireman.
Born in 1980, Paul grew up in Co Kildare, and though his father and grandfather both worked on stud farms, Paul originally wanted to be a fireman.
The Flynns lived next door to ex-jockey Dave Behan who let Paul ride his donkey. After that, all thoughts of tackling fires went out the window as his interest in riding developed.
The Flynns lived next door to ex-jockey Dave Behan who let Paul ride his donkey. After that, all thoughts of tackling fires went out the window as his interest in riding developed.
Leaving school at 14, he found work in Jim Bolger's yard before furthering his racing education in Chantilly with John Hammond. Then it was on to America to ride Flat horses for Ben Cecil, the nephew of Henry Cecil.
Leaving school at 14, he found work in Jim Bolger's yard before furthering his racing education in Chantilly with John Hammond. Then it was on to America to ride Flat horses for Ben Cecil, the nephew of Henry Cecil.
Finally arriving in England in 1998, his education in riding, rather than academia, was well-rounded.
Finally arriving in England in 1998, his education in riding, rather than academia, was well-rounded.
He began with Simon Dow but only stayed a week as he wanted to be attached to a jumping stable and Richard Dunwoody fixed him up with Philip Hobbs.
He began with Simon Dow but only stayed a week as he wanted to be attached to a jumping stable and Richard Dunwoody fixed him up with Philip Hobbs.
By coincidence, it was Dunwoody on whom Paul modelled himself, especially the way the retired jockey presented horses at an obstacle.
By coincidence, it was Dunwoody on whom Paul modelled himself, especially the way the retired jockey presented horses at an obstacle.
Paul's first winner over the sticks brought a suspension for excessive use of the whip: this was quickly rectified as Paul refined his style.
Paul's first winner over the sticks brought a suspension for excessive use of the whip: this was quickly rectified as Paul refined his style.
In the spring of 1999, while having a rare ride on the Flat at Bath, he was spotted by top jockey agent Dave Roberts.
In the spring of 1999, while having a rare ride on the Flat at Bath, he was spotted by top jockey agent Dave Roberts.
Roberts said at the time: 'I'd watched him ride one over the hurdles at Taunton and remember thinking this couldn't be the same fellow, because he rode the first like a jump jockey and the second like a Flat jockey. I didn't know who he was but he looked the part.'
Roberts said at the time: 'I'd watched him ride one over the hurdles at Taunton and remember thinking this couldn't be the same fellow, because he rode the first like a jump jockey and the second like a Flat jockey. I didn't know who he was but he looked the part.'
Roberts contacted Paul through Hobbs and offered to take him on stipulating that he must remain an amateur for a further season. Roberts was of the opinion that many young jockeys turned professional too soon. As an amateur, he thought, they had to graft for it more.
Roberts contacted Paul through Hobbs and offered to take him on stipulating that he must remain an amateur for a further season. Roberts was of the opinion that many young jockeys turned professional too soon. As an amateur, he thought, they had to graft for it more.
Roberts said at the time: 'Paul's got a frighteningly good temperament because nothing worries him but he's still switched on. He's got the cocky Irish charm and you can't help but warm to him. I've put him on rides for some of the big trainers now and I've not had one bad bit of feedback.'
Roberts said at the time: 'Paul's got a frighteningly good temperament because nothing worries him but he's still switched on. He's got the cocky Irish charm and you can't help but warm to him. I've put him on rides for some of the big trainers now and I've not had one bad bit of feedback.'
Paul is looking forward to a change of status. 'Money gets pretty tight as an amateur' he said at the time. 'I have to cadge a lot of lifts and a lot of beds now. Sometimes I'll go racing by horsebox, sometimes by train. What I need is a sponsored car.'
Paul is looking forward to a change of status. 'Money gets pretty tight as an amateur' he said at the time. 'I have to cadge a lot of lifts and a lot of beds now. Sometimes I'll go racing by horsebox, sometimes by train. What I need is a sponsored car.'
(What he needed even more was to pass a driving test: he'd already failed a couple.)
(What he needed even more was to pass a driving test: he'd already failed a couple.)
Underlining his prodigious talent, Paul, still an amateur, booted home rank outsider Choisty in the Warwick National on January 15, 2000.
Underlining his prodigious talent, Paul, still an amateur, booted home rank outsider Choisty in the Warwick National on January 15, 2000.
In so doing, he ruined the dreams of the remaining Scoop 6 ticket holder.
In so doing, he ruined the dreams of the remaining Scoop 6 ticket holder.
Paul lost a ride in the English Grand National when Nicky Henderson scoured the course for him without success.
Paul lost a ride in the English Grand National when Nicky Henderson scoured the course for him without success.
Unable to find Paul, Nicky replaced him with Tom Doyle to ride Esprit de Cotte.
Unable to find Paul, Nicky replaced him with Tom Doyle to ride Esprit de Cotte.
Paul, aged 21, became champion amateur in 1999-2000 and immediately turned professional.
Paul, aged 21, became champion amateur in 1999-2000 and immediately turned professional.
On December 1, 2001, he won the Hennessy at Newbury on What's Up Boys yet, despite this sterling effort, he was jocked off the horse for the following year's Grand National by Richard Johnson.
On December 1, 2001, he won the Hennessy at Newbury on What's Up Boys yet, despite this sterling effort, he was jocked off the horse for the following year's Grand National by Richard Johnson.
Paul had a sickening afternoon on November 6, 2002, when his mount, All Guns Blazing, was brought down at the second at Kempton, breaking a leg. Paul cut a disconsolate figure as he held the stricken animal still while doing his best to offer comfort as the green screens went up. No feeling is worse for a jockey than returning with an empty bridle.
Paul had a sickening afternoon on November 6, 2002, when his mount, All Guns Blazing, was brought down at the second at Kempton, breaking a leg. Paul cut a disconsolate figure as he held the stricken animal still while doing his best to offer comfort as the green screens went up. No feeling is worse for a jockey than returning with an empty bridle.
In an eight-year spell with Philip Hobbs, Paul rode over 200 winners. Unbeaten in three races with the stable's One Knight, it was his association with What's Up Boys that was the highlight of his tenure in the saddle.
In an eight-year spell with Philip Hobbs, Paul rode over 200 winners. Unbeaten in three races with the stable's One Knight, it was his association with What's Up Boys that was the highlight of his tenure in the saddle.
Apart from the Hennessy, the partnership also won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Apart from the Hennessy, the partnership also won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Recalling those days, Paul said: 'I had a good time riding and rode some good horses, but 'Hobbsie' was a great fella to learn from too.'
Recalling those days, Paul said: 'I had a good time riding and rode some good horses, but 'Hobbsie' was a great fella to learn from too.'
Paul returned to Ireland and took up training.
Paul returned to Ireland and took up training.
He was once asked if he would have won the National on What's Up Boys - he replied 'Oh, God yeah!'
He was once asked if he would have won the National on What's Up Boys - he replied 'Oh, God yeah!'