Fergus Byrne

Fergus Byrne

Article by Alan Trout

Fergus Martin Byrne rode a couple of winners over jumps in the early 1980s. 

A conditional jockey with David Murray-Smith, he had his first mount in public at Plumpton on October 14, 1981, when partnering Caubeen in the Dick Francis ‘Twice Shy’ Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. The ride did not go well as the five-year-old whipped round at the start and Fergus was unseated. As they were able to do in those days, he remounted, but was tailed off for the rest of the race. 

Fergus persevered and finally gained his reward at Stratford on April 16, 1983, when La Seine, trained by Ken Wingrove, took the lead at the third last flight and ran on to beat Sutton Court by four lengths at the end of the Ilmington Handicap Hurdle. That was his first ride on the five-year-old, with two subsequent starts yielding one third place. 

It was at Market Rasen on October 14, 1983 that Fergus had his second success when Florence, also trained by Ken Wingrove, won the Ludford Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating Sam Morshead’s mount Intersport by four lengths. He kept the ride on the seven-year-old for four more outings and was placed twice, but there were no more victories. 

Fergus had his final ride when Il Pontevecchio was tailed off in the Bic Lady Shavers Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park on January 18, 1986.