Dan Colbert

1892-1985

Born in Athea, Co. Limerick, in 1892, Daniel (Dan) Colbert won back-to-back Irish Grand Nationals and rode three winners in England in the early 1920s.

He had made slow progress as a jockey in Ireland prior to winning the 1920 Irish Grand National on Halston, trained by John Ruttle at Hazelhatch, Co. Dublin. Sixty-eight-year-old Harry Beasley finished sixth that year on Be Careful, ahead of his son William, who was tenth on Pam Nut. Inevitably, the exploits of Harry Beasley tended to overshadow Halston’s 12-length victory, hence Dan did not get the recognition he deserved.

He won his second Irish Grand National in 1921 on 7-1 chance Bohernore, trained by Cecil Brabazon at Kilcumney, Co. Kildare. Conditions that year were attritional, with incessant rain reducing the course to a mud-bath. Bohernore won by a length and a half but had to survive an optimistic objection from John McNeill, the rider of runner-up Greenogue, on the grounds of bumping and boring. Most of those who had a clear view of the race had not seen any interference taking place and nobody was surprised when the stewards overruled the objection.  

Dan took part in the English Grand National in 1923, riding the six-year-old Madrigal, who had won six races the previous year when ridden by Ernie Davey and Tommy James, but had shown little so far in 1923, his latest effort being when pulled up in the National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. The new partnership with Dan fared no better and they pulled up.

Dan returned to England in December of that year and, on the 8th, rode Roman Hackle to win the Club Steeplechase at Haydock Park. Three days later he won the Castle Selling Chase at Nottingham on Prickly, scraping home by a head from Golden Fleece, the mount of John Goswell. Then, to complete the hat-trick in just ten days, there was victory on Vishnu in the Osmaston Selling Handicap Hurdle at Derby on the 18th. Elton Barthropp trained all three winners. Dan did not ride any of them on their next outing, so it is clear that his stay in England was a short one.

Daniel Colbert died in 1985.