Mickey Gordon
Mickey Gordon
Mickey Gordon
1914 - 2004
1914 - 2004
Michael Anthony (Mickey) Gordon was a leading jockey in Ireland during World War Two and in the immediate post-war years. He only had one winner in England but rode in two Grand Nationals and a Champion Hurdle.
Michael Anthony (Mickey) Gordon was a leading jockey in Ireland during World War Two and in the immediate post-war years. He only had one winner in England but rode in two Grand Nationals and a Champion Hurdle.
Born in 1914, he rode his first winner on Pyara in the Glencairn Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day (St Stephen’s Day in Ireland) 1936. He rode most of his early winners for trainer John Mangan and for Jim Banahan, for whom he won three handicap hurdles on Glenkieran and two on Knight’s Ward in the early 1940s.
Born in 1914, he rode his first winner on Pyara in the Glencairn Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day (St Stephen’s Day in Ireland) 1936. He rode most of his early winners for trainer John Mangan and for Jim Banahan, for whom he won three handicap hurdles on Glenkieran and two on Knight’s Ward in the early 1940s.
He recorded his first notable success on Black Mask in the Galway Blazers’ Handicap Chase at the 1943 Galway Festival, following up the next month in the Stewards’ Handicap Chase at Waterford & Tramore. On 11 March 1944, he recorded a far greater success on the classy Prince Blackthorn in the Leopardstown Chase.
He recorded his first notable success on Black Mask in the Galway Blazers’ Handicap Chase at the 1943 Galway Festival, following up the next month in the Stewards’ Handicap Chase at Waterford & Tramore. On 11 March 1944, he recorded a far greater success on the classy Prince Blackthorn in the Leopardstown Chase.
Mickey recorded a double at the corresponding Leopardstown meeting twelve months later, landing the Stillorgan Maiden Hurdle on Distel, trained by Maxie Arnott, and the Bray Handicap Chase on Western Dandy. On the last day of March 1945, he guided Distel to a five-length victory in the Rank Perpetual Challenge Cup Hurdle at Phoenix Park, following that with victory in a minor race at Naas at the prohibitive odds of 8-1 on.
Mickey recorded a double at the corresponding Leopardstown meeting twelve months later, landing the Stillorgan Maiden Hurdle on Distel, trained by Maxie Arnott, and the Bray Handicap Chase on Western Dandy. On the last day of March 1945, he guided Distel to a five-length victory in the Rank Perpetual Challenge Cup Hurdle at Phoenix Park, following that with victory in a minor race at Naas at the prohibitive odds of 8-1 on.
Also in March 1945, he won the valuable Kildare Chase at Naas on Knight Paladin, on whom he also annexed the Dundrum Handicap Chase at Leopardstown, and then landed another big prize in the Champion Chase at Naas.
Also in March 1945, he won the valuable Kildare Chase at Naas on Knight Paladin, on whom he also annexed the Dundrum Handicap Chase at Leopardstown, and then landed another big prize in the Champion Chase at Naas.
In June that year he won the Phoenix Handicap Hurdle at Phoenix Park on Highland Reel. In July he posted another victory on Knight Paladin, this time in the Killiney Hurdle at Leopardstown, winding up the month with victory on Tulyra in the Connaught Handicap Chase at Galway. He registered another Leopardstown double in October, the second leg of which was on Distel in the Kilbride Handicap Hurdle.
In June that year he won the Phoenix Handicap Hurdle at Phoenix Park on Highland Reel. In July he posted another victory on Knight Paladin, this time in the Killiney Hurdle at Leopardstown, winding up the month with victory on Tulyra in the Connaught Handicap Chase at Galway. He registered another Leopardstown double in October, the second leg of which was on Distel in the Kilbride Handicap Hurdle.
On the first day of December 1945, Mickey registered his sole success on British soil when Distel, owned by Dorothy Paget, won the Northleach Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham by four lengths. He ended the year with yet another Leopardstown double on Boxing Day, aboard Smiling Marcus in the December Handicap Chase and Halcyon Hours in the Carrickmines Chase, both trained, like Distel, by veteran Maxie Arnott at Clonsilla, County Dublin.
On the first day of December 1945, Mickey registered his sole success on British soil when Distel, owned by Dorothy Paget, won the Northleach Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham by four lengths. He ended the year with yet another Leopardstown double on Boxing Day, aboard Smiling Marcus in the December Handicap Chase and Halcyon Hours in the Carrickmines Chase, both trained, like Distel, by veteran Maxie Arnott at Clonsilla, County Dublin.
By that time, Mickey was among Ireland’s top jockeys. He began 1946 with a New Year’s Day double at Baldoyle, completed by odds-on favourite Smiling Marcus in the New Year Handicap Chase. Unfortunately, however, at the start of February, he was laid low with flu and so missed riding Distel to win a handicap hurdle at Nottingham under 12st 7lb. Bobby O’Ryan got the mount and kept the ride, hence it was he and not Mickey Gordon who rode Distel to win that year’s Champion Hurdle.
By that time, Mickey was among Ireland’s top jockeys. He began 1946 with a New Year’s Day double at Baldoyle, completed by odds-on favourite Smiling Marcus in the New Year Handicap Chase. Unfortunately, however, at the start of February, he was laid low with flu and so missed riding Distel to win a handicap hurdle at Nottingham under 12st 7lb. Bobby O’Ryan got the mount and kept the ride, hence it was he and not Mickey Gordon who rode Distel to win that year’s Champion Hurdle.
Disappointed but undaunted, Mickey landed another valuable prize on Halcyon Hours in the March Chase at Naas, followed three days later by another double at Leopardstown. April brought more big race success on Halcyon Hours in the Champion Chase ay Naas, the race he had won the previous year on Knight Paladin.
Disappointed but undaunted, Mickey landed another valuable prize on Halcyon Hours in the March Chase at Naas, followed three days later by another double at Leopardstown. April brought more big race success on Halcyon Hours in the Champion Chase ay Naas, the race he had won the previous year on Knight Paladin.
Another of Dorothy Paget’s horses, Astrometer, was Mickey’s first Grand National mount in 1946. The horse had won three races in England that season, including the Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham, but their Aintree experience was short-lived, falling at the first fence.
Another of Dorothy Paget’s horses, Astrometer, was Mickey’s first Grand National mount in 1946. The horse had won three races in England that season, including the Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham, but their Aintree experience was short-lived, falling at the first fence.
Mickey enjoyed a successful summer campaign that year, his wins including Bellewstown’s Drogheda Tradesmen’s Handicap Chase on Smiling Marcus and Baldoyle’s Sutton Hurdle on Over Land. In October he won the Troytown Chase at Proudstown Park (known today as Navan) aboard Halcyon Hours. Back at Proudstown Park two months later he landed the December Handicap Hurdle on Slievardagh, then won Leopardstown’s Christmas Chase on yet another of Dorothy Paget’s horses, Happy Home. Again, Maxie Arnott trained both. Mickey ended 1946 finishing third in the jockeys’ table with 25 wins.
Mickey enjoyed a successful summer campaign that year, his wins including Bellewstown’s Drogheda Tradesmen’s Handicap Chase on Smiling Marcus and Baldoyle’s Sutton Hurdle on Over Land. In October he won the Troytown Chase at Proudstown Park (known today as Navan) aboard Halcyon Hours. Back at Proudstown Park two months later he landed the December Handicap Hurdle on Slievardagh, then won Leopardstown’s Christmas Chase on yet another of Dorothy Paget’s horses, Happy Home. Again, Maxie Arnott trained both. Mickey ended 1946 finishing third in the jockeys’ table with 25 wins.
He again made a flying start to the new year with a second victory on Smiling Marcus in Baldoyle’s New Year Handicap Chase. He won another race on Smiling Marcus at Mullingar later that month, then recorded a Leopardstown double on 15 February with Smiling Marcus in the Sandyford Chase and Distel in the Scalp Hurdle.
He again made a flying start to the new year with a second victory on Smiling Marcus in Baldoyle’s New Year Handicap Chase. He won another race on Smiling Marcus at Mullingar later that month, then recorded a Leopardstown double on 15 February with Smiling Marcus in the Sandyford Chase and Distel in the Scalp Hurdle.
Mickey rode Halcyon Hours in the 1947 Grand National and could claim to have been unlucky. Halcyon Hours was brought down at the eleventh fence, but Mickey remounted and continued in the race, coming home twelfth of the nineteen finishers, the race being won by 100-1 outsider Caughoo.
Mickey rode Halcyon Hours in the 1947 Grand National and could claim to have been unlucky. Halcyon Hours was brought down at the eleventh fence, but Mickey remounted and continued in the race, coming home twelfth of the nineteen finishers, the race being won by 100-1 outsider Caughoo.
The following month he rode Distel in the Champion Hurdle, the race having been postponed to April after the National Hunt meeting was abandoned due to a combination of snow and frost. Distel was sent off second favourite at 5-1 but appeared to be no longer enamoured with racing. He ran mulishly and refused point blank to jump the flight alongside the water.
The following month he rode Distel in the Champion Hurdle, the race having been postponed to April after the National Hunt meeting was abandoned due to a combination of snow and frost. Distel was sent off second favourite at 5-1 but appeared to be no longer enamoured with racing. He ran mulishly and refused point blank to jump the flight alongside the water.
In September, Mickey won the Cork Handicap Chase at Naas on Somerled, and also won on him at Proudstown Park in December, but overall, 1947 proved a disappointing year, with just ten wins to show for his efforts.
In September, Mickey won the Cork Handicap Chase at Naas on Somerled, and also won on him at Proudstown Park in December, but overall, 1947 proved a disappointing year, with just ten wins to show for his efforts.
Coming to the last fence in the 1948 Irish Grand National, the race lay between Ned Kennedy on Hamstar and Mickey Gordon on 20-1 shot Cap’n Andy. The pair rose together but Cap’n Andy hit the fence low, sending Mickey into orbit. Hamstar jumped it in a more orthodox manner and went on to win by 15 lengths from the favourite Cottage Rake, anchored by 12st 7lb burden. Mickey gained a small measure of compensation at Punchestown four weeks later with victory on West Wind in the Prince of Wales’s Handicap Chase.
Coming to the last fence in the 1948 Irish Grand National, the race lay between Ned Kennedy on Hamstar and Mickey Gordon on 20-1 shot Cap’n Andy. The pair rose together but Cap’n Andy hit the fence low, sending Mickey into orbit. Hamstar jumped it in a more orthodox manner and went on to win by 15 lengths from the favourite Cottage Rake, anchored by 12st 7lb burden. Mickey gained a small measure of compensation at Punchestown four weeks later with victory on West Wind in the Prince of Wales’s Handicap Chase.
He came within three-quarters of a length of a famous victory in that year’s Galway Hurdle when his mount Strathfinn was collared on the run-in by Carrantrylla, the mount of Tim Molony. Despite those two big race disappointments, Mickey ended 1948 with a career-best score on 34 winners, placing him fifth in the Irish jockeys’ table.
He came within three-quarters of a length of a famous victory in that year’s Galway Hurdle when his mount Strathfinn was collared on the run-in by Carrantrylla, the mount of Tim Molony. Despite those two big race disappointments, Mickey ended 1948 with a career-best score on 34 winners, placing him fifth in the Irish jockeys’ table.
His tally of wins fell to 16 in 1949, but they included a St Patrick’s Day double at Baldoyle, initiated by the Maxie Arnott-trained Count Gabriel in the St Patrick’s Day Chase, and Downpatrick’s Ulster National on Lord Glenfield.
His tally of wins fell to 16 in 1949, but they included a St Patrick’s Day double at Baldoyle, initiated by the Maxie Arnott-trained Count Gabriel in the St Patrick’s Day Chase, and Downpatrick’s Ulster National on Lord Glenfield.
While 1950 began promisingly with wins on chaser Sal Fhada and hurdler Lyrical Lady at Leopardstown in January, with a brace of Baldoyle winners coming in September, his yearly score fell further as his career went into decline.
While 1950 began promisingly with wins on chaser Sal Fhada and hurdler Lyrical Lady at Leopardstown in January, with a brace of Baldoyle winners coming in September, his yearly score fell further as his career went into decline.
His number of rides having rapidly diminished in quality and quantity with the dawn of the 1950s, he had his final ride when finishing unplaced on Hill Of Tara in a 23-runner handicap hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day (St Stephen’s Day) 1951.
His number of rides having rapidly diminished in quality and quantity with the dawn of the 1950s, he had his final ride when finishing unplaced on Hill Of Tara in a 23-runner handicap hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day (St Stephen’s Day) 1951.
Mickey Gordon died in 2004.
Mickey Gordon died in 2004.
His major wins included:
His major wins included:
1943: Galway Blazers’ Handicap Chase – Black Mask
1943: Galway Blazers’ Handicap Chase – Black Mask
1944: Leopardstown Handicap Chase – Prince Blackthorn
1944: Leopardstown Handicap Chase – Prince Blackthorn
1945: Rank Perpetual Challenge Cup Hurdle – Distel
1945: Rank Perpetual Challenge Cup Hurdle – Distel
1945: Kildare Chase – Knight Paladin
1945: Kildare Chase – Knight Paladin
1945: Champion Chase – Knight Paladin
1945: Champion Chase – Knight Paladin
1945: Phoenix Handicap Hurdle – Highland Reel
1945: Phoenix Handicap Hurdle – Highland Reel
1946: March Chase – Halcyon Hours
1946: March Chase – Halcyon Hours
1946: Champion Chase – Halcyon Hours
1946: Champion Chase – Halcyon Hours
1946: Drogheda Tradesmen’s Handicap Chase – Smiling Marcus
1946: Drogheda Tradesmen’s Handicap Chase – Smiling Marcus
1946: Sutton Hurdle – Over Land
1946: Sutton Hurdle – Over Land
1946: Troytown Handicap Chase – Halcyon Hours
1946: Troytown Handicap Chase – Halcyon Hours
1946: Cork Handicap Chase – Somerled
1946: Cork Handicap Chase – Somerled
1947: Scalp Hurdle – Distel
1947: Scalp Hurdle – Distel
1948: Prince of Wales’s Handicap Chase – West Wind
1948: Prince of Wales’s Handicap Chase – West Wind
1949: St Patrick’s Day Chase – Count Gabriel
1949: St Patrick’s Day Chase – Count Gabriel
1949: Ulster National Handicap Chase – Lord Glenfield
1949: Ulster National Handicap Chase – Lord Glenfield