Paddy Cowley

1884 - 1911

While riding Longenek in the Mersey Selling Race at Hooton Park on Monday 7 August 1911, 27-year-old Paddy Cowley was fatally injured when his mount fell and rolled over him. He was carried to nearby Hooton Hall, where a hastily summoned specialist successfully removed a blood clot from the stricken jockey’s brain. Tragically, despite the promptness of the surgeon’s actions, the injury proved irreparable: Paddy Cowley never regained consciousness and died shortly after noon the following day. For the benefit of the widow and children of the late jockey, a relief fund was opened by his close friend, Richard Morgan, another top class steeplechase rider.

Born in Drogheda, Co. Meath, Pat’s funeral took place on Thursday, 10 August, at the Roman Catholic cemetery at Hooton. His best year came in 1908, when he rode 65 winners to become NH Champion Jockey.

According to a contemporaneous newspaper report, during his career Paddy Cowley rode 1,140 mounts under National Hunt rules in England over about twelve seasons, and rode 230 winners in that period.

Aged eleven and then described as quiet and reserved, Paddy became apprenticed to Leonard O’Sheil at Greenmount, Clonsilla. Sadly, Mr O’Sheil was himself killed in 1899 when falling from Dullough in the Meath Hunt Cup at Navan. His stable was taken over by Captain Dewhurst, who immediately engaged Pat as his first jockey. Paddy remained with him for several years, the partnership winning hosts of races in Ireland.

When the Captain gave up his jumpers to concentrate on the Flat, Paddy rode the horses of Sir C. G. Assheton-Smith, then trained by Mr Gore. Among his many victories for that owner came wins on Jerry M and Crackler.

Later, he was retained by Mr Hartigan, Prince Hatzfeldt, Lady Esme Gordon ( in whose colours he died), and from time to time he won races for the Duke of Westminster, the Duke of Portland, Mr P. Nelke, and many others.

He won four times on Band of Hope in 1901, and, the following season, won the New Century Steeplechase at Hurst Park on Thomondgate, beating the favourite, Khedive, by a length. On the same horse, he also won the Stanley Steeplechase at Liverpool, the Southern Plate at Cork Park, and the Valentine Steeplechase at Liverpool. Later that year on New Year’s Eve, Thomondgate - a great favourite of Paddy’s - took a fatal fall at Hurst Park.

Paddy won Liverpool’s Valentine Steeplechase again in 1903 aboard Flying Swallow.

He was never lucky in the Grand National, in which he rode Detail, Domino and Carsey. Two fell, the third pulled up.

Paddy's biggest wins included the 1908 Champion Chase on Crackler. He also won the Prince of Wales's Handicap Chase twice; on Mount Hilary in 1905 & on Shay Girl in 1908. In 1902, he won the Stanley Chase on Thormondgate.