Patrick Doyle
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Irishman Patrick Joseph Doyle reversed the traditional trend by making his reputation in England before returning to Ireland, where rode with much success for Dan Moore, Vincent O’Brien and Willie O’Grady among others.
Irishman Patrick Joseph Doyle reversed the traditional trend by making his reputation in England before returning to Ireland, where rode with much success for Dan Moore, Vincent O’Brien and Willie O’Grady among others.
In Britain, he rode for Major Bay Powell’s Aldbourne stable and was particularly effective around Aintree. At Liverpool’s 1948 autumn meeting he won the Becher Chase on Knight’s Pass and the Molyneux Chase on Irish Lilt. He finished third in the 1949 Grand National on Major Powell’s Royal Mount and also won Kempton’s Coventry Handicap Chase on him, beating Lord Mildmay on Cromwell by two lengths. He rode a total of 39 winners that season.
In Britain, he rode for Major Bay Powell’s Aldbourne stable and was particularly effective around Aintree. At Liverpool’s 1948 autumn meeting he won the Becher Chase on Knight’s Pass and the Molyneux Chase on Irish Lilt. He finished third in the 1949 Grand National on Major Powell’s Royal Mount and also won Kempton’s Coventry Handicap Chase on him, beating Lord Mildmay on Cromwell by two lengths. He rode a total of 39 winners that season.
That autumn he won the Becher Chase again, this time on Royal Mount. In February 1950 he partnered Alec Kilpatrick’s Inverlochy to win the valuable (£1,124) Manifesto Chase at Lingfield. He then rode Inverlochy in the 1950 Grand National but fell at the seventh fence.
That autumn he won the Becher Chase again, this time on Royal Mount. In February 1950 he partnered Alec Kilpatrick’s Inverlochy to win the valuable (£1,124) Manifesto Chase at Lingfield. He then rode Inverlochy in the 1950 Grand National but fell at the seventh fence.
Having made his name in Britain, Pat returned to his homeland in 1951 and rode the Willie O’Grady-trained Icy Calm to win that year’s Irish Grand National.
Having made his name in Britain, Pat returned to his homeland in 1951 and rode the Willie O’Grady-trained Icy Calm to win that year’s Irish Grand National.
In August 1951, Pat won the Galway Plate on O’Grady’s black mare St Kathleen, then the following month won the Paget Cup at Tralee on her. Returning to Aintree, he rode her in the 1952 Grand National but was one of ten that failed to get beyond the first fence.
In August 1951, Pat won the Galway Plate on O’Grady’s black mare St Kathleen, then the following month won the Paget Cup at Tralee on her. Returning to Aintree, he rode her in the 1952 Grand National but was one of ten that failed to get beyond the first fence.
The following year he won the Leopardstown Chase on Vincent O’Brien’s Lucky Dome. They were made well-fancied 10/1 chances for the 1953 Grand National but Lucky Dome was never going well, soon trailed the field and was pulled up. At that year’s Galway Festival, Pat finished second on Lucky Dome in the Galway Hurdle and won the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase on Colonial Jack. Later that season he won the Easter Chase at Fairyhouse on Dan Moore’s In View.
The following year he won the Leopardstown Chase on Vincent O’Brien’s Lucky Dome. They were made well-fancied 10/1 chances for the 1953 Grand National but Lucky Dome was never going well, soon trailed the field and was pulled up. At that year’s Galway Festival, Pat finished second on Lucky Dome in the Galway Hurdle and won the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase on Colonial Jack. Later that season he won the Easter Chase at Fairyhouse on Dan Moore’s In View.
During July and August 1954, Pat won five times within three weeks on Dan Moore’s chaser Swinging Light, including the Sarawaki Cup at Killarney and the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase. He finished third in that year’s Galway Hurdle on In View. He won a pair of handicap chases at Thurles and Mallow on Sundew before finishing a one-length second to Copp in the 1955 Leopardstown Chase.
During July and August 1954, Pat won five times within three weeks on Dan Moore’s chaser Swinging Light, including the Sarawaki Cup at Killarney and the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase. He finished third in that year’s Galway Hurdle on In View. He won a pair of handicap chases at Thurles and Mallow on Sundew before finishing a one-length second to Copp in the 1955 Leopardstown Chase.
Sundew was also Pat’s fifth and final mount in the Grand National of 1955. Taking the lead at Becher’s first time, they led the field back onto the racecourse, where Pat did well to avoid a riderless horse who jumped across him at the Chair. They led going out onto the second circuit, staying in front until Valentine’s, and were still in contention when falling at the last open ditch, four fences from home.
Sundew was also Pat’s fifth and final mount in the Grand National of 1955. Taking the lead at Becher’s first time, they led the field back onto the racecourse, where Pat did well to avoid a riderless horse who jumped across him at the Chair. They led going out onto the second circuit, staying in front until Valentine’s, and were still in contention when falling at the last open ditch, four fences from home.
Sundew would go onto win the Grand National two years later, ridden by Fred Winter. By that time, Pat had retired to take up farming in Co. Wexford, but he subsequently took up training with some considerable success.
Sundew would go onto win the Grand National two years later, ridden by Fred Winter. By that time, Pat had retired to take up farming in Co. Wexford, but he subsequently took up training with some considerable success.
Patrick Doyle was instantly recognisable in the saddle from photographs which show his curious habit of puffing out his cheeks while jumping.
Patrick Doyle was instantly recognisable in the saddle from photographs which show his curious habit of puffing out his cheeks while jumping.
He died on April 12, 2009, aged 81.
He died on April 12, 2009, aged 81.