Embedded Files
Terry Donnelly
Terry Donnelly
Also known as Turlough, the Gaelic name for Terrence, Terrence William Donnelly had around two dozen rides during the 1983/84 National Hunt season and recorded one win.
Also known as Turlough, the Gaelic name for Terrence, Terrence William Donnelly had around two dozen rides during the 1983/84 National Hunt season and recorded one win.
He had begun his career in his native Ireland with Paddy Sleator and Pat Casserly, encompassing some 500 rides in Irish point-to-points and 16 wins.
He had begun his career in his native Ireland with Paddy Sleator and Pat Casserly, encompassing some 500 rides in Irish point-to-points and 16 wins.
Crossing the Irish Sea he became a conditional jockey, opening his campaign with a first ride at Market Rasen on August 1, 1983, when Caveman was unplaced in the Hull Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Crossing the Irish Sea he became a conditional jockey, opening his campaign with a first ride at Market Rasen on August 1, 1983, when Caveman was unplaced in the Hull Selling Handicap Hurdle.
His sole success came at Sedgefield the following month, September 20, when the 13-year-old veteran Hilly Way battled on bravely to catch longtime leader Stonehall Prince and land the Martin Group Handicap Chase by three-quarters of a length for permit holder Henry Harpur-Crewe, based at Calke Abbey Racing Stables, near Burton-on-Trent. While Harpur-Crewe held the licence, Pat O’Connor was responsible for the actual training.
His sole success came at Sedgefield the following month, September 20, when the 13-year-old veteran Hilly Way battled on bravely to catch longtime leader Stonehall Prince and land the Martin Group Handicap Chase by three-quarters of a length for permit holder Henry Harpur-Crewe, based at Calke Abbey Racing Stables, near Burton-on-Trent. While Harpur-Crewe held the licence, Pat O’Connor was responsible for the actual training.
Hilly Way had won many good races in his heyday, including back-to-back Two Mile Champion Chases at the 1978 and 1979 Cheltenham Festivals.
Hilly Way had won many good races in his heyday, including back-to-back Two Mile Champion Chases at the 1978 and 1979 Cheltenham Festivals.
The partnership also finished second twice that season, but Terry was unable to add to his score. He had what proved to be his last ride at Sedgefield on May 11, 1984, when Dipalino finished a distant third in the Fishburn Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle.
The partnership also finished second twice that season, but Terry was unable to add to his score. He had what proved to be his last ride at Sedgefield on May 11, 1984, when Dipalino finished a distant third in the Fishburn Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Just as Hilly Way’s career was drawing naturally to a close, Terry’s was a much more sudden departure. Arrangements were in hand for him to join Fulke Walwyn as a conditional jockey for the 1984/85 season. However, a fall on a horse of his father’s in Ireland, bolting when out on the roads, left him with broken arms, legs and bones at the top of his neck. That put an end to his aspirations as a jockey.
Just as Hilly Way’s career was drawing naturally to a close, Terry’s was a much more sudden departure. Arrangements were in hand for him to join Fulke Walwyn as a conditional jockey for the 1984/85 season. However, a fall on a horse of his father’s in Ireland, bolting when out on the roads, left him with broken arms, legs and bones at the top of his neck. That put an end to his aspirations as a jockey.
In 1985, Henry Harpur-Crewe offered Calke Abbey to the National Trust to offset death duties. It had been decided that he would build a new purpose-built training complex on the fringe of the estate near the village of Smisby, just off the A50 Buron-on-Trent to Ashby-de-la-Zouch road. No expense was spared on the 28-box yard with its grass and all-weather gallops, horse walker and indoor school.
In 1985, Henry Harpur-Crewe offered Calke Abbey to the National Trust to offset death duties. It had been decided that he would build a new purpose-built training complex on the fringe of the estate near the village of Smisby, just off the A50 Buron-on-Trent to Ashby-de-la-Zouch road. No expense was spared on the 28-box yard with its grass and all-weather gallops, horse walker and indoor school.
When Pat O’Connor fell ill in 1990 and gave up training, Terry Donnelly, having by then trained at Carlisle and at Lockerbie, returned to Calke Abbey as the licence holder.
When Pat O’Connor fell ill in 1990 and gave up training, Terry Donnelly, having by then trained at Carlisle and at Lockerbie, returned to Calke Abbey as the licence holder.
He trained there under both codes until relinquishing his licence in 1998.
He trained there under both codes until relinquishing his licence in 1998.
Terry Donnelly's solitary winner, Hilly Way
Terry Donnelly's solitary winner, Hilly Way
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse