Matthew Doherty
National Hunt jockey Matthew Doherty rode a total of 28 winners between 1926 and 1936 and was among the record 66 riders who took part in the 1929 Grand National.
National Hunt jockey Matthew Doherty rode a total of 28 winners between 1926 and 1936 and was among the record 66 riders who took part in the 1929 Grand National.
Matthew had his first ride in public on Demonicus, who finished unplaced in the Newbiggin Hurdle at Hexham on October 6, 1926. However, it was at the southern courses that he mostly plied his trade thereafter, registering his first success at Plumpton on North Harris, the 5-4 favourite, in the Four-Year-Old Hurdle on January 3, 1928.
Matthew had his first ride in public on Demonicus, who finished unplaced in the Newbiggin Hurdle at Hexham on October 6, 1926. However, it was at the southern courses that he mostly plied his trade thereafter, registering his first success at Plumpton on North Harris, the 5-4 favourite, in the Four-Year-Old Hurdle on January 3, 1928.
In 1929, he was one of 66 assorted amateurs and professionals to take their chance in the biggest ever field for the Grand National – a record that will stand for all time now that there is a maximum field of 40. Matthew rode 100-1 outsider Stage Management and was among the many fallers.
In 1929, he was one of 66 assorted amateurs and professionals to take their chance in the biggest ever field for the Grand National – a record that will stand for all time now that there is a maximum field of 40. Matthew rode 100-1 outsider Stage Management and was among the many fallers.
He enjoyed his most successful season in 1934/35, riding eight winners. Two of them were courtesy of two-mile chaser Blighty at Windsor in February and Plumpton in April. Others included selling hurdler Wandering Wing at Windsor in January, and Sham Ruby, trained by John Beary, in the three-mile two-furlong Lavington Challenge Cup Chase at Fontwell Park on April 2, 1935, a day on which the time of the first race was put back by 30 minutes owing to the late arrival of a special race train from London..
He enjoyed his most successful season in 1934/35, riding eight winners. Two of them were courtesy of two-mile chaser Blighty at Windsor in February and Plumpton in April. Others included selling hurdler Wandering Wing at Windsor in January, and Sham Ruby, trained by John Beary, in the three-mile two-furlong Lavington Challenge Cup Chase at Fontwell Park on April 2, 1935, a day on which the time of the first race was put back by 30 minutes owing to the late arrival of a special race train from London..
Matthew’s last winner was a horse named Woolly in the Milton Handicap Chase at Huntingdon on Whit Monday, June 1, 1936. He rode for the final time when finishing eighth on Paisley in the Graveley Maiden Hurdle at Birmingham on February 28, 1938.
Matthew’s last winner was a horse named Woolly in the Milton Handicap Chase at Huntingdon on Whit Monday, June 1, 1936. He rode for the final time when finishing eighth on Paisley in the Graveley Maiden Hurdle at Birmingham on February 28, 1938.
Matthew - extreme left - on Sham Ruby at Sandown.
Matthew - extreme left - on Sham Ruby at Sandown.
