John Cullinane

John Cullinane

Article by Alan Trout

John Cullinane rode over jumps in the 1970s and had seven wins. He finished second on his first ride when Athenian Dancer was beaten 12 lengths in the Keat’s Lene Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Windsor on November 26, 1973.  

He was soon riding for John Manners, who supplied his first winner when Blue River Wonder came with a strong late run to take the lead on he flat and win the Pickeridge Selling Hurdle at Taunton on April 24, 1975 by a neck. They were not winning out of turn for John had already finished second on him twice that season, beaten both times by half a length. 

He had to wait almost a year for his second win but then rode five in the space of 51 days. My Mark set the ball rolling by taking the Swadlincote Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on April 10, beating Kevin Mooney on Clare by a  short head. Nine days later on Easter Monday came an easier victory when Bouchette landed the Wharfedale Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby by two and a half lengths. Verona Brandy came next, taking the Edwalton Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Southwell on May 3 by four lengths. Bouchette scored again in the Linwood Selling Hurdle at Market Rasen on May 22, then Timbo rounded off the process with a 10-lengths success in the Grange Selling Hurdle at Uttoxeter on May 31.

Timbo’s trainer, Frank Carr, put John up for his only win of the following season when Eborneezersdouble comfortably took the Teesside Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on November 2. This was Jon’s last win. He had his final ride when unseated from Clifford Street in the Paxton Novices’ Chase at Huntingdon on January 26, 1978.  

John Cullinane’s wins were, in chronological order:

1. Blue River Wonder, Taunton, April 24, 1975

2. My Mark, Uttoxeter, April 10, 1976

3. Bouchette, Wetherby, April 19, 1976

4. Verona Brandy, Southwell, May 3, 1976

5. Bouchette, Market Rasen, May 22, 1976

6. Timbo, Uttoxeter, May 31, 1976

7. Eborneezersdouble, Sedgefield, November 2, 1976