Gerry Bohane

Gerry Bohane

Article by Alan Trout

Gerry Bohane only had six rides during his first season over jumps but won on three of them. Over the next two seasons he added three more. 

A conditional jockey with Adstone, Northamptonshire trainer John Upson, he had his first victory at Southwell on March 23, 1989, when steering Wayward Singer to success in the Riding Bitter Conditional Jockeys Novices’ Hurdle. The six-year-old was always prominent and, despite hitting the last hurdle, came away to beat Couture Stockings by four lengths. 

They were well beaten at Newbury next time out but returned to winning form at Stratford on May 19, when catching Martinsmoon near the line and winning the Jim Slater Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle by half a length. Eight days later they won again, Wayward Singer holding on to thwart Northern Halo by a short head in the Coach House Pine Handicap Hurdle at Southwell. 

The combination were only beaten a head in their first start of the 1989/90 season, but Gerry had to wait until Wolverhampton on November 13 for his sole victory of the campaign. This came in the Tower Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Hurdle in which Dianes Destiny was far too good for 14 rivals, beating Nuns Little One by eight lengths.  

His next winner was at Huntingdon on Bank Holiday Monday, August 27, 1990, when Nearly Ready, trained by John Upson, beat three rivals to land the Hemingford Handicap Chase after taking the lead three fences from home. Stable jockey Robbie Supple then took over on the seven-year-old, but Gerry resumed the partnership at Southwell on October 13 and was able to enjoy an eight-length victory in the Collingham Handicap Chase. 

Nearly Ready and Gerry failed to complete the course on their next two starts, and although he had a few more rides he was unable to add to his score.

Gerry Bohane’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Wayward Singer, Southwell, March 23, 1989 

2. Wayward Singer, Stratford-on-Avon, May 19, 1989

3. Wayward Singer, Southwell, May 27, 1989

4. Dianes Destiny, Wolverhampton, November 13, 1989

5. Nearly Ready, Huntingdon, August 27, 1990

6. Nearly Ready, Southwell, October 13, 1990