Declan Condell

Declan Condell

Article by Alan Trout

Declan John Condell enjoyed some success over jumps in the mid-1980s, amassing 23 winners in less than two years. 

Born on July 23, 1961, he rode in Ireland in the early 1980s without success. He came to England as a conditional with former jump jockey David Moorhead, who trained at Middleham, having his first ride at Hexham on October 24, 1984, when Major Skite finished 15th of 21 runners in the Bantel Nursery Toys Three-Year-Old Hurdle.

It was on the Saturday of Carlisle’s Easter meeting on April 6, 1985 that he had his first success when Taberna Lord, owned and trained by David Moorhead, held off the strong late challenge of the favourite Chipchase to land the Warwick Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) by a head. He then won twice on the novice chaser Back In Action before the season ended. 

He made an excellent start to the 1985/86 season, winning on his first four rides, all for David Moorhead, but the turning point came later that season when linking up with Bishop Auckland trainer Arthur Stephenson. He went on to record 17 victories, including three on the Stephenson-trained Secret Walk, ending the campaign as champion northern conditional.

However, 1986/87 saw his number in wins drop to just three, the last of which was at Carlisle on December 18, when the ten-year-old Day Of Wishes, trained by Arthur Stephenson, stayed on to take the Racing Post Handicap Chase by five lengths. Although he rode for at least two more seasons there were no more wins. 

Declan returned to Ireland and worked for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) in various capacities including veterinary assistant and judge. Along with his wife Sheila he breeds traditional Irish Draught horses, while his daughter Niamh is successful in the show ring. 

Declan Condell’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Taberna Lord, Carlisle, April 6, 1985

2. Back In Action, Perth, April 17, 1985

3. Back In Action, Hexham, April 26, 1985

4. Royal Radar, Market Rasen, August 5, 1985

5. Royal Radar, Market Rasen, August 24, 1985

6. Cool Strike, Perth, August 30, 1985

7. Cool Strike, Hexham, September 9, 1985

8. Back In Action, Wetherby, November 26, 1985

9. Calira, Carlisle, March 31, 1986

10. Secret Walk, Newcastle, April 10, 1986

11. Jarail. Perth, April 16, 1986

12. Brigarona, Perth, April 17, 1986

13. Taberna Lord, Ayr, April 19, 1986

14. Doughty Rebl, Hexham, April 26, 1986

15. Rule Of The Sea, Sedgefield, April 29, 1986

16. Taberna Lord, Haydock Park, May 5, 1986

17. Impany, Wetherby, May 7, 1986

18. Secret Walk, Hexham, May 12, 1986

19. Secret Walk, Hexham, May 21, 1986

20. Swirl Howe, Cartmel, May 24, 1986

21. Minature Miss, Market Rasen, August 23, 1986

22. Impany, Catterick Bridge, November 8, 1986

23. Day Of Witness, Carlisle, December 18, 1986