John Doyle

c1875 - 1942

Born circa 1875, John Doyle descended from generations of jockeys. His father, John (1844-1921) and uncle Denis both had long and successful careers in the saddle.

He was apprenticed to Michael Dennehy at French House in 1888 when only twelve and rode his first winner later that year. Soon noted for his strength and judgement, he was brought to England for a season by Captain Machell to ride the stable’s lightweights and won the 1892 Cesarewitch on Burnaby. 

Back on home soil, John won the Irish Oaks twice, on Kosmos in 1896 and Fredith in 1909. He won the 1910 Irish Derby on Aviator, then won it again the next year on Shanballymore. 

He shared the Irish champion jockeys’ table with John Thompson in 1911 and was runner-up to him the following year. In December 1911 he purchased Rossmore Lodge, the Curragh, for £1,300, with a view to training there once his career in the saddle was over. 

That riding career was ended by a serious fall at Baldoyle in September 1915. As a trainer he sent out numerous winners from Rossmore Lodge but without any high-profile successes.

He fully maintained the family tradition of producing good jockeys, with the result that he had five sons riding in 1928.Among them, John Jnr won the Irish One Thousand Guineas on Moucheron in 1928 and on Petoni in 1932. James (Jimmy) won the same Classic on Voltoi in 1924, while Joseph rode Dog Fox to win the 1925 Irish Grand National. 

Regarded as a kindly, good-humoured man, John Doyle died at Rossmore Lodge in January 1942 following a long illness.