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Tuesday, April 16, 1974
John Donaghy
John Donaghy
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Having ridden at least 34 winners in his native Ireland, John Donaghy followed his brother Brendan to England and joined Gordon W. Richards’ stable in the mid-1970s and added two more.
Having ridden at least 34 winners in his native Ireland, John Donaghy followed his brother Brendan to England and joined Gordon W. Richards’ stable in the mid-1970s and added two more.
His first success was at Limerick on Boxing Day 1969 when Master Jem won the St Stephen’s Day Maiden Hurdle (Division 2) by six lengths. Many of his winners were trained by Paddy Osborne, including his one double at Waterford & Tramore on November 25, 1971. He also finished sixth on Vibrax in the 1974 Irish Grand National.
His first success was at Limerick on Boxing Day 1969 when Master Jem won the St Stephen’s Day Maiden Hurdle (Division 2) by six lengths. Many of his winners were trained by Paddy Osborne, including his one double at Waterford & Tramore on November 25, 1971. He also finished sixth on Vibrax in the 1974 Irish Grand National.
His first ride in England was at Carlisle on March 29, 1975, when Red Maple was ninth of eleven finishers in the Warwick Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1), a race won by his stable companion Rustic Prince, the mount of Ron Barry.
His first ride in England was at Carlisle on March 29, 1975, when Red Maple was ninth of eleven finishers in the Warwick Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1), a race won by his stable companion Rustic Prince, the mount of Ron Barry.
Two days after his Carlisle debut, on Easter Monday, the second day of Carlisle’s Easter meeting, Gordon W. Richards provided John with his first English winner, landing the Moorhouse Novices’ Chase when Lord Of The Hills ran on strongly from the last fence to beat Lucky Victory by half a length, with Rubstic, later to win the 1979 Grand National, eight lengths back in third place,
Two days after his Carlisle debut, on Easter Monday, the second day of Carlisle’s Easter meeting, Gordon W. Richards provided John with his first English winner, landing the Moorhouse Novices’ Chase when Lord Of The Hills ran on strongly from the last fence to beat Lucky Victory by half a length, with Rubstic, later to win the 1979 Grand National, eight lengths back in third place,
At Perth on May 22, John scored his second and final British success when Baylord led all the way to take the Aberfeldy Novices’ Chase by six lengths. His brief stay in Britain ended after Streaking Sun finished eighth of 18 starters in the Lindsey Juvenile Hurdle at Market Rasen on Monday, August 4, 1975.
At Perth on May 22, John scored his second and final British success when Baylord led all the way to take the Aberfeldy Novices’ Chase by six lengths. His brief stay in Britain ended after Streaking Sun finished eighth of 18 starters in the Lindsey Juvenile Hurdle at Market Rasen on Monday, August 4, 1975.
John Donaghy's first winner: Master Jem at Limerick, Boxing Day 1969
John's final British success: Baylord at Perth, May 22 1975
At Fairyhouse on April 13 1971, John Donaghy, from Banbridge, Northern Ireland, won the Power Gold Cup on Glending for owner Mr J. W. Osborne and trainer Mr P. D. Osborne.
Later, John became known for his success in horse exhibitions. In 2014, he won the prestigious RDS Supreme Youngstock Championship with a two-year-old gelding named Northern Image, which was shown by Shirley Hurst.
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