Peter Gomez
Peter Gomez, one of seventeen children, was born on the farm and racing establishment of Michael J. (Boss) Harty in Alston, Croom, Co. Limerick. He became an apprentice to ‘Atty’ Persse (1869-1960) at Chattis Hill, Stockbridge, Hampshire, but because of his weight – his minimum was 8st 9lb – he rode just one winner from 20 rides in Britain in 1935 and none from 22 rides the following season. Peter won three times from 51 rides in 1939 and four from 65 in 1940.
Peter Gomez, one of seventeen children, was born on the farm and racing establishment of Michael J. (Boss) Harty in Alston, Croom, Co. Limerick. He became an apprentice to ‘Atty’ Persse (1869-1960) at Chattis Hill, Stockbridge, Hampshire, but because of his weight – his minimum was 8st 9lb – he rode just one winner from 20 rides in Britain in 1935 and none from 22 rides the following season. Peter won three times from 51 rides in 1939 and four from 65 in 1940.
His biggest success was riding Conversation Piece to victory in the 1938 Irish Oaks. Ten years later, he rode 100-1 shot Millwall in the 1948 Derby, finishing unplaced behind My Love. In fact, 1948 was a barren year for Peter, who failed to catch the judge’s eye.
His biggest success was riding Conversation Piece to victory in the 1938 Irish Oaks. Ten years later, he rode 100-1 shot Millwall in the 1948 Derby, finishing unplaced behind My Love. In fact, 1948 was a barren year for Peter, who failed to catch the judge’s eye.
Millwall never found success on the racecourse, unlike his dam, Indian Call, which went on to produce the mighty Ballymoss in the late fifties.
Millwall never found success on the racecourse, unlike his dam, Indian Call, which went on to produce the mighty Ballymoss in the late fifties.
In his later years, Peter worked for Lambourn trainer Peter Nelson and was actively involved in preparing Snow Knight to spring a 40-1 surprise in the 1974 Epsom Derby.
In his later years, Peter worked for Lambourn trainer Peter Nelson and was actively involved in preparing Snow Knight to spring a 40-1 surprise in the 1974 Epsom Derby.
One of Peter’s sisters, Elizabeth, became the mother of jockey Peter Daley who was also the right-hand man of trainer Guy Williams in the early 1980s. Daley had charge of Daletta when, ridden by John Harty, he won the 1980 Irish Grand National.
One of Peter’s sisters, Elizabeth, became the mother of jockey Peter Daley who was also the right-hand man of trainer Guy Williams in the early 1980s. Daley had charge of Daletta when, ridden by John Harty, he won the 1980 Irish Grand National.
One of Peter’s brothers, Frank, was apprenticed to trainer Leo Fahey between 1945 and 1948 when he was granted an Irish NH licence to ride under both rules in England and Ireland. Once retired from the saddle, he became a successful trainer based in Florida where, in 1972, he had charge of the Florida division of the important Tartan Farms stable, Frank died from cancer in the 2000s.
One of Peter’s brothers, Frank, was apprenticed to trainer Leo Fahey between 1945 and 1948 when he was granted an Irish NH licence to ride under both rules in England and Ireland. Once retired from the saddle, he became a successful trainer based in Florida where, in 1972, he had charge of the Florida division of the important Tartan Farms stable, Frank died from cancer in the 2000s.
Another brother, Patrick J. Gomez, known as Paddy, held a licence under both codes in Ireland in the latter half of both 1942 and 1943 and throughout 1944 to 1946. However, he only held a National Hunt jockey’s licence in England in 1948 and was thus ineligible to ride Millwall in the Derby of that year. He rode two winners under NH rules in the 1947/48 season. After retiring, Patrick got involved in sheep farming in the north of England. He never married.
Another brother, Patrick J. Gomez, known as Paddy, held a licence under both codes in Ireland in the latter half of both 1942 and 1943 and throughout 1944 to 1946. However, he only held a National Hunt jockey’s licence in England in 1948 and was thus ineligible to ride Millwall in the Derby of that year. He rode two winners under NH rules in the 1947/48 season. After retiring, Patrick got involved in sheep farming in the north of England. He never married.