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Steve Donoghue (real name: Donohue) was born on November 8th 1884 at Aikin Street. Warrington, Lancashire. He was the eldest of five children. He came from a non-racing background: his father Patrick was a steelworker at Pearson & Knowles in Warrington.
Steve Donoghue (real name: Donohue) was born on November 8th 1884 at Aikin Street. Warrington, Lancashire. He was the eldest of five children. He came from a non-racing background: his father Patrick was a steelworker at Pearson & Knowles in Warrington.
Steve attended St Mary’s Roan Catholic School in Buttermarket Street and, at the age of twelve, began working half-time in his father’s works.
Steve attended St Mary’s Roan Catholic School in Buttermarket Street and, at the age of twelve, began working half-time in his father’s works.
A trip to Chester races changed everything: having seen the Chester Cup run – Steve decided that he wanted to become a jockey.
A trip to Chester races changed everything: having seen the Chester Cup run – Steve decided that he wanted to become a jockey.
At 14, having walked the 22 miles from Warrington to Chester, he found employment at John Porter’s Kingsclere stables. It was the first time he had been away from home and, within four months, homesickness found him back working in a Warrington wire works. Here he got into a fight with a local bully whom he rendered unconscious. Fearing that he had killed him, he fled, with his younger brother, to the Middleham stables of Dobson Peacock where they found employment riding out. The boys had, however, given Peacock false names, and when the 1901 census officials arrived at the stable, they left in a hurry. They made their way to the stables of Alfred Sadler Jnr.
At 14, having walked the 22 miles from Warrington to Chester, he found employment at John Porter’s Kingsclere stables. It was the first time he had been away from home and, within four months, homesickness found him back working in a Warrington wire works. Here he got into a fight with a local bully whom he rendered unconscious. Fearing that he had killed him, he fled, with his younger brother, to the Middleham stables of Dobson Peacock where they found employment riding out. The boys had, however, given Peacock false names, and when the 1901 census officials arrived at the stable, they left in a hurry. They made their way to the stables of Alfred Sadler Jnr.
They stayed until 1903 when Steve decided to try his luck in France. Here he gained valuable experience, eventually riding his first winner on Hanoi in Hyeres, April 1905.
They stayed until 1903 when Steve decided to try his luck in France. Here he gained valuable experience, eventually riding his first winner on Hanoi in Hyeres, April 1905.
He was in Ireland two years later riding for Philip Behan’s stable. He won on his first mount, Turkish Delight, at Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Eventually he became Ireland’s leading jockey. In 1908, he married Behan’s daughter, Bridget. She gave him two boys. One son, Patrick, became a jockey. Another son, Steve, joined the RAF and was killed on active service in 1941.
He was in Ireland two years later riding for Philip Behan’s stable. He won on his first mount, Turkish Delight, at Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Eventually he became Ireland’s leading jockey. In 1908, he married Behan’s daughter, Bridget. She gave him two boys. One son, Patrick, became a jockey. Another son, Steve, joined the RAF and was killed on active service in 1941.
He returned to England and, in 1910, replaced the tuberculosis-stricken Danny Maher to become stable jockey to Henry Persse’s Stockbridge stable. He won his first English Jockey Championship in 1914 and held the title for a further nine years. Such was Steve's success, that by his early twenties he had a large house complete with chauffeur, cook and gardener, and a flat in Park Lane with a valet and a housekeeper.
He returned to England and, in 1910, replaced the tuberculosis-stricken Danny Maher to become stable jockey to Henry Persse’s Stockbridge stable. He won his first English Jockey Championship in 1914 and held the title for a further nine years. Such was Steve's success, that by his early twenties he had a large house complete with chauffeur, cook and gardener, and a flat in Park Lane with a valet and a housekeeper.
In 1914, Steve rode practically all the top two-year-olds – Redfern, Let Fly and Torloisk – and knowing that Pommern was the best of the bunch, said to Mr Solly Joel, the owner, ‘I’ll ride this horse for you in year’s classics. He‘s sure to win.’ It was agreed but, somewhat unluckily, Steve was unable to ride Pommern in his first three-year-old race, being claimed for Torloisk. George Stern was brought over from France to ride. Steve recalled that in the paddock he told Stern to ‘be very careful with him: he’s afraid.’
In 1914, Steve rode practically all the top two-year-olds – Redfern, Let Fly and Torloisk – and knowing that Pommern was the best of the bunch, said to Mr Solly Joel, the owner, ‘I’ll ride this horse for you in year’s classics. He‘s sure to win.’ It was agreed but, somewhat unluckily, Steve was unable to ride Pommern in his first three-year-old race, being claimed for Torloisk. George Stern was brought over from France to ride. Steve recalled that in the paddock he told Stern to ‘be very careful with him: he’s afraid.’
Steve went on ‘Stern didn’t seem to care very much about advice. He gave me a curt nod as if to say mind your own business, then took Pommern out onto the course. The horse was as nervous as a kitten. He threw his head around in a frightened manner and gazed around as though he couldn’t quite understand what it all meant. Instead of being given a gentle pat on the neck and a few words of encouragement, he got a sharp cut of the whip. Instead of winning in a common hack canter as I knew he should have done, he was beaten by a moderate animal instead.’
Steve went on ‘Stern didn’t seem to care very much about advice. He gave me a curt nod as if to say mind your own business, then took Pommern out onto the course. The horse was as nervous as a kitten. He threw his head around in a frightened manner and gazed around as though he couldn’t quite understand what it all meant. Instead of being given a gentle pat on the neck and a few words of encouragement, he got a sharp cut of the whip. Instead of winning in a common hack canter as I knew he should have done, he was beaten by a moderate animal instead.’
He applied to join the army but was rejected. Instead, he rode two wartime substitute Derby winners at Newmarket. He rode in South Africa in 1917 where, in November, his marriage was dissolved following his wife’s adultery. Steve himself began a long affair with Lady Torrington (the actress Eleanor Souray) and together they enjoyed a high social life. She divorced her husband, the ninth Viscount of Torrington, in 1921.
He applied to join the army but was rejected. Instead, he rode two wartime substitute Derby winners at Newmarket. He rode in South Africa in 1917 where, in November, his marriage was dissolved following his wife’s adultery. Steve himself began a long affair with Lady Torrington (the actress Eleanor Souray) and together they enjoyed a high social life. She divorced her husband, the ninth Viscount of Torrington, in 1921.
After the war his career soared as he rode four more Derby winners, won the Queen Alexander Stakes a record six consecutive times on the magnificent stayer Brown Jack and rode The Tetrarch who was said to be the fastest horse ever to race in England. He is the only jockey to have won the Triple Crown twice. He is also the only jockey to have won three consecutive Derbies.
After the war his career soared as he rode four more Derby winners, won the Queen Alexander Stakes a record six consecutive times on the magnificent stayer Brown Jack and rode The Tetrarch who was said to be the fastest horse ever to race in England. He is the only jockey to have won the Triple Crown twice. He is also the only jockey to have won three consecutive Derbies.
Steve was ruthless in his pursuit of winners and gained a reputation for having other riders ‘jocked off’ in major races. He had no respect for his own contracts, often leaving a stable high and dry by accepting at the last minute the ride on a more fancied runner from another stable. Owners and trainers became loth to trust him to honour his commitments: consequently, after 1925, he rode no more classic winners until getting Exhibitionist home in the 1937 One Thousand Guineas and Oaks.
Steve was ruthless in his pursuit of winners and gained a reputation for having other riders ‘jocked off’ in major races. He had no respect for his own contracts, often leaving a stable high and dry by accepting at the last minute the ride on a more fancied runner from another stable. Owners and trainers became loth to trust him to honour his commitments: consequently, after 1925, he rode no more classic winners until getting Exhibitionist home in the 1937 One Thousand Guineas and Oaks.
His star began to fade in 1928 when he rode 108 consecutive losers, and a bankruptcy petition in September showed that he had debts estimated at £15,000 and assets of less than £600. During Steve's High Court examination, the Official Receiver concluded that Steve had "contracted debts without having at the time of contracting them any reasonable or probable ground of expectation of being able to pay them".
His star began to fade in 1928 when he rode 108 consecutive losers, and a bankruptcy petition in September showed that he had debts estimated at £15,000 and assets of less than £600. During Steve's High Court examination, the Official Receiver concluded that Steve had "contracted debts without having at the time of contracting them any reasonable or probable ground of expectation of being able to pay them".
His relationship with Lady Torrington was at an all-time low due to their improvident living. This state of affairs had come about not only by Steve’s incredible generosity to his friends but also, and mainly, due to his unsuccessful (and illegal for a jockey) betting.
His relationship with Lady Torrington was at an all-time low due to their improvident living. This state of affairs had come about not only by Steve’s incredible generosity to his friends but also, and mainly, due to his unsuccessful (and illegal for a jockey) betting.
Pressure was lifted when his creditors, in 1929, decided to accept five shillings in the pound. His luck further improved when Sir Victor Sassoon offered him a retainer.
Pressure was lifted when his creditors, in 1929, decided to accept five shillings in the pound. His luck further improved when Sir Victor Sassoon offered him a retainer.
On March 17 1929 he secretly married Ethel Finn, an American dancer, at Warrington Register office, Museum Street. On the 9th December, 1931, following bankruptcy proceedings, Lady Torrington gassed herself. A verdict of suicide was returned.
On March 17 1929 he secretly married Ethel Finn, an American dancer, at Warrington Register office, Museum Street. On the 9th December, 1931, following bankruptcy proceedings, Lady Torrington gassed herself. A verdict of suicide was returned.
Steve’s family had disapproved of his 1929 marriage which ended in separation in 1934. Ethel Finn sued Steve for arrears in 1940 but he was able to prove that he had helped her on numerous occasions before, and her demand for £946 was reduced to £312. In February, 1942, she took an overdose of sleeping pills. A verdict of misadventure was recorded.
Steve’s family had disapproved of his 1929 marriage which ended in separation in 1934. Ethel Finn sued Steve for arrears in 1940 but he was able to prove that he had helped her on numerous occasions before, and her demand for £946 was reduced to £312. In February, 1942, she took an overdose of sleeping pills. A verdict of misadventure was recorded.
Steve retired from the saddle at the end of the 1939 season, and began training horses at Blewbury in Berkshire. His greatest success came when Rogerstone Castle won the National Produce Stakes, but he met with moderate training success otherwise. He did some broadcasting on the radio and also appeared in several films.
Steve retired from the saddle at the end of the 1939 season, and began training horses at Blewbury in Berkshire. His greatest success came when Rogerstone Castle won the National Produce Stakes, but he met with moderate training success otherwise. He did some broadcasting on the radio and also appeared in several films.
He retired in 1937 and died suddenly from a heart attack at 24 Porchester Gate, Paddington on 23rd March, 1945. He left an estate worth £19,514 14s (approximately half a million in 2010).
He retired in 1937 and died suddenly from a heart attack at 24 Porchester Gate, Paddington on 23rd March, 1945. He left an estate worth £19,514 14s (approximately half a million in 2010).
He died intestate which meant that the mementoes of his career had to be sold. His son Pat bought the Manchester cup won by Steve in 1922 and the portrait of his father in the royal colours by Sir James Lavery.
He died intestate which meant that the mementoes of his career had to be sold. His son Pat bought the Manchester cup won by Steve in 1922 and the portrait of his father in the royal colours by Sir James Lavery.
After a requiem Mass at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Warrington, celebrated by Father W. de Normanville, Steve Donoghue was buried on 29 March 1945 in Warrington cemetery, where a memorial stone was erected.
After a requiem Mass at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Warrington, celebrated by Father W. de Normanville, Steve Donoghue was buried on 29 March 1945 in Warrington cemetery, where a memorial stone was erected.
A Charitable Memorial Fund was set up in the name of the jockey and, in 1958, Sir Gordon Richards unveiled the Steve Donoghue Memorial Gates at Epsom. Steve Donoghue once said of the horses he rode ‘I think of them as my friends – my greatest friends’.
A Charitable Memorial Fund was set up in the name of the jockey and, in 1958, Sir Gordon Richards unveiled the Steve Donoghue Memorial Gates at Epsom. Steve Donoghue once said of the horses he rode ‘I think of them as my friends – my greatest friends’.
Steve fractured his shoulder in a fall in the 1925 Grand Prix de Paris and was never as strong in a finish after.
Steve fractured his shoulder in a fall in the 1925 Grand Prix de Paris and was never as strong in a finish after.
In 1932, Steve was offered the mount on subsequent Derby winner April the Fifth, trained by Tom Walls. Steve declined the ride, choosing instead to ride another.
In 1932, Steve was offered the mount on subsequent Derby winner April the Fifth, trained by Tom Walls. Steve declined the ride, choosing instead to ride another.
Steve's son Pat was apprenticed to Stanley Wootton at Treadwell House, Epsom. Pat Donoghue retired from riding and trained ponies at Sandown Lodge in Avenue Road, Epsom. His major owner was Miss Dorothy Paget, and in order to accommodate the large number of ponies, he moved to the Woodruff stables in Headley Road, Epsom. In 1938, because of the worsening position in Europe, the enigmatic Miss Paget announced that she was selling all of her ponies. Since she owned thirty-seven of the forty animals in the stable, Pat Donoghue was left virtually unemployed.
Steve's son Pat was apprenticed to Stanley Wootton at Treadwell House, Epsom. Pat Donoghue retired from riding and trained ponies at Sandown Lodge in Avenue Road, Epsom. His major owner was Miss Dorothy Paget, and in order to accommodate the large number of ponies, he moved to the Woodruff stables in Headley Road, Epsom. In 1938, because of the worsening position in Europe, the enigmatic Miss Paget announced that she was selling all of her ponies. Since she owned thirty-seven of the forty animals in the stable, Pat Donoghue was left virtually unemployed.
Papyrus was found dead in his box at the Aislaby Stud at Newmarket on November 5, 1941.
Papyrus was found dead in his box at the Aislaby Stud at Newmarket on November 5, 1941.
Steve Donoghue’s classic wins:
Steve Donoghue’s classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Pommern (1915), Gay Crusader (1917) and Manna (1925)
Two Thousand Guineas: Pommern (1915), Gay Crusader (1917) and Manna (1925)
One Thousand Guineas: Exhibitionist (1937)
One Thousand Guineas: Exhibitionist (1937)
The Derby: Pommern (1915), Gay Crusader (1917), Humorist (1921), Captain Cuttle (1922), Papyrus (1923) and Manna (1925)
The Derby: Pommern (1915), Gay Crusader (1917), Humorist (1921), Captain Cuttle (1922), Papyrus (1923) and Manna (1925)
The Oaks: My Dear (1918) and Exhibitionist (1937)
The Oaks: My Dear (1918) and Exhibitionist (1937)
St Leger: Pommern (1915) and Gay Crusader (1917)
St Leger: Pommern (1915) and Gay Crusader (1917)
Captain Cuttle was sold to the Miafiore stud in 1927 for £40,000, but was killed in Turin as the result of a fall.
Captain Cuttle was sold to the Miafiore stud in 1927 for £40,000, but was killed in Turin as the result of a fall.
Steve won on his only mount over hurdles; Lady Diane at Birmingham on November 26, 1912.
Steve won on his only mount over hurdles; Lady Diane at Birmingham on November 26, 1912.
Steve's jockey brother, George, died in December 1926, aged 37.
Steve's jockey brother, George, died in December 1926, aged 37.
Other big wins include:
Other big wins include:
1910: Cambridgeshire - Christmas Daisy
1910: Cambridgeshire - Christmas Daisy
1912: Ayr Gold Cup - Grammont
1912: Ayr Gold Cup - Grammont
1914: Cambridgeshire - Honeywood
1914: Cambridgeshire - Honeywood
1915: Cambridgeshire - Silver Tag
1915: Cambridgeshire - Silver Tag
1915: Chester Cup - Hare Hill
1915: Chester Cup - Hare Hill
1916: Cesarewitch - Sanctum
1916: Cesarewitch - Sanctum
1917: Ascot Gold Cup - Gay Crusader
1917: Ascot Gold Cup - Gay Crusader
1920: Cesarewitch - Bracket
1920: Cesarewitch - Bracket
1920: Royal Hunt Cup - Square Measure
1920: Royal Hunt Cup - Square Measure
1922: Lincoln Handicap - Granely
1922: Lincoln Handicap - Granely
1922: Grand Prix de Paris - Kefalin
1922: Grand Prix de Paris - Kefalin
1925: Lincoln Handicap - Tapin
1925: Lincoln Handicap - Tapin
1925: Ascot Gold Cup - Santorb
1925: Ascot Gold Cup - Santorb
1926: Ayr Gold Cup - Lord Wembley
1926: Ayr Gold Cup - Lord Wembley
1931: Ebor - Brown Jack
1931: Ebor - Brown Jack
1934: Grand Prix de Paris - Admiral Drake
1934: Grand Prix de Paris - Admiral Drake
1935: Ebor - Museum
1935: Ebor - Museum
Irish Derby - 5 times
Irish Derby - 5 times
July Cup - 3 times
July Cup - 3 times
Goodwood Cup - 5 times
Goodwood Cup - 5 times
Steve rode a total of 1,846 winners.
Steve rode a total of 1,846 winners.
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