Patrick Grace
Patrick Grace
Patrick Grace
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Patrick Grace rode four winners under National Hunt rules, spread over 15 years. His first victory was at the Hambledon Hunt meeting on May 6, 1909, when he rode the favourite Matoi to win the Droxford Handicap Chase by two lengths.
Patrick Grace rode four winners under National Hunt rules, spread over 15 years. His first victory was at the Hambledon Hunt meeting on May 6, 1909, when he rode the favourite Matoi to win the Droxford Handicap Chase by two lengths.
Patrick never rode the four-year-old again, but he did have two chances that year to tackle the formidable Liverpool fences that year. On March 25 he rode Judina in the Stanley Chase, and two days later was aboard Round Dance in the Champion Chase, but both ventures ended in a fall.
Patrick never rode the four-year-old again, but he did have two chances that year to tackle the formidable Liverpool fences that year. On March 25 he rode Judina in the Stanley Chase, and two days later was aboard Round Dance in the Champion Chase, but both ventures ended in a fall.
He had to wait three years for his second success, which came at Kempton Park in December when Shino, trained by Frank Hartigan, won the Kew Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating two very experienced jockeys in Stan Avila on Zale and George Duller on Henry Potts, prevailing by a length and a half.
He had to wait three years for his second success, which came at Kempton Park in December when Shino, trained by Frank Hartigan, won the Kew Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating two very experienced jockeys in Stan Avila on Zale and George Duller on Henry Potts, prevailing by a length and a half.
Following one unplaced ride in 1913, Patrick did not renew his British licence for a decade, continuing his career in his native Ireland. He returned in 1924 and rode two more winners that year. The first was at Manchester on February 9, when Rory’s Glen won the Stretford Chase by four lengths. Patrick had ridden him without success in Ireland the previous year but had finished second on him on his English debut seven days earlier.
Following one unplaced ride in 1913, Patrick did not renew his British licence for a decade, continuing his career in his native Ireland. He returned in 1924 and rode two more winners that year. The first was at Manchester on February 9, when Rory’s Glen won the Stretford Chase by four lengths. Patrick had ridden him without success in Ireland the previous year but had finished second on him on his English debut seven days earlier.
He divided his time between Britain and Ireland that year, including a ride in the Scottish Grand National on L’Africain which ended in a fall. His final English victory was on December 5 when Soothing Glass won the Makerfield Handicap Chase at Haydock Park by five lengths. As with Rory’s Glen, Soothing Glass had done most of his racing in Ireland, and in March that year had finished runner-up, when ridden by Dick Rees, in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham.
He divided his time between Britain and Ireland that year, including a ride in the Scottish Grand National on L’Africain which ended in a fall. His final English victory was on December 5 when Soothing Glass won the Makerfield Handicap Chase at Haydock Park by five lengths. As with Rory’s Glen, Soothing Glass had done most of his racing in Ireland, and in March that year had finished runner-up, when ridden by Dick Rees, in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham.
Soothing Glass was also Patrick’s final ride in England at Haydock on December 18, 1925, finishing second when trying to win the Makerfield Handicap Chase for a second time. He narrowly failed to concede 19lb to the winner, Rathmore, the mount of Arthur Waudby, going down by just three-quarters of a length.
Soothing Glass was also Patrick’s final ride in England at Haydock on December 18, 1925, finishing second when trying to win the Makerfield Handicap Chase for a second time. He narrowly failed to concede 19lb to the winner, Rathmore, the mount of Arthur Waudby, going down by just three-quarters of a length.
Patrick Grace’s four British wins were, in chronological order:
Patrick Grace’s four British wins were, in chronological order:
1. Matoi, Hambledon Hunt, May 6, 1909
1. Matoi, Hambledon Hunt, May 6, 1909
2. Shino, Kempton Park, December 27, 1912
2. Shino, Kempton Park, December 27, 1912
3. Rory’s Glen, Manchester, February 9, 1924
3. Rory’s Glen, Manchester, February 9, 1924
4. Soothing Glass, Haydock Park, December 5, 1924
4. Soothing Glass, Haydock Park, December 5, 1924
Patrick Grace's first winner: Matoi, Hambledon Hunt, Thursday, May 6, 1909
Patrick Grace's first winner: Matoi, Hambledon Hunt, Thursday, May 6, 1909
Patrick's second winner was Shino, Kempton Park, Friday, December 27, 1912. The race was run in a torrential downpour.
Patrick's second winner was Shino, Kempton Park, Friday, December 27, 1912. The race was run in a torrential downpour.
Rory’s Glen, Manchester, February 9, 1924 - Patrick's third winner.
Rory’s Glen, Manchester, February 9, 1924 - Patrick's third winner.
Patrick's final winner was Soothing Glass at Haydock Park, December 5, 1924.
Patrick's final winner was Soothing Glass at Haydock Park, December 5, 1924.