Brian Brophy

Brian Brophy

Article by Alan Trout

Brian Brophy rode over jumps throughout the mid-1970s and won four races, all on the same horse. He was associated with the stable of Donald Underwood and had his first ride at Folkestone on December 19, 1974, when Persian Alice finished ninth of 14 runners in the Shaddoxhurst Handicap Hurdle. 

Just over a year passed before Brian had a winner, but on the first day of 1976 Drum Major ran on well to land the Touchen End Handicap Hurdle at Windsor by ten lengths. It was Brian’s first ride on the five-year-old, and they enjoyed another comfortable victory next time out when Drum Major followed up in the Pevensey Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton three weeks later. 

Their bid for a third successive victory ended with a two-length defeat by Great Freda, the mount of Taffy Salaman, at Plumpton on February 9. It was not until the following season that they scored again, with an eight-length victory in the Hounslow Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park on November 18, 1976.

Their next four starts were disappointing with only one fourth place to show for their efforts, but at Plumpton on March 8, 1977, they came good for a final time when landing the Don Butchers Challenge Trophy Handicap Hurdle, beating Scalded Cat by two lengths. 

Brian had his final ride at Plumpton on April 9, 1977, when Drum Major finished seventh of ten runners in the Bob Wigney Handicap Hurdle.

Brian Brophy’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Drum Major, Windsor, January 1, 1976

2. Drum Major, Plumpton, January 21, 1976

3. Drum Major, Kempton Park, November 18, 1976

4. Drum Major, Plumpton, March 8, 1977