Ben Hannon
Ben Hannon
Ben Hannon
Irish National Hunt jockey Ben Hannon rode two Cheltenham Festival winners, including the Two Mile Champion Chase. In Ireland his big wins included the Thyestes Chase and the Galway Hurdle twice each and the Munster National. He was Ireland’s Champion National Hunt Jockey in 1965.
Irish National Hunt jockey Ben Hannon rode two Cheltenham Festival winners, including the Two Mile Champion Chase. In Ireland his big wins included the Thyestes Chase and the Galway Hurdle twice each and the Munster National. He was Ireland’s Champion National Hunt Jockey in 1965.
Ben was the product of Rathcoole trainer Tom Taaffe, whose sons Pat and Tos were among the best jockeys of the 1950s and 60s. Tom was in failing health by the start of the 1960s but in young Ben he had a promising young claimer on his hands. When Tom passed away, Tos rook over the training mantle and would be responsible for many of Ben’s big race successes.
Ben was the product of Rathcoole trainer Tom Taaffe, whose sons Pat and Tos were among the best jockeys of the 1950s and 60s. Tom was in failing health by the start of the 1960s but in young Ben he had a promising young claimer on his hands. When Tom passed away, Tos rook over the training mantle and would be responsible for many of Ben’s big race successes.
He rode one of his first winners on the Taaffe-trained grey Loving Record in a Navan maiden hurdle on February 1961. Little did he know then that that same horse would twice carry him round safely in the Grand National.
He rode one of his first winners on the Taaffe-trained grey Loving Record in a Navan maiden hurdle on February 1961. Little did he know then that that same horse would twice carry him round safely in the Grand National.
He sprang to prominence in 1963, announcing his arrival on the first very day by riding a double at Baldoyle’s New Year’s Day fixture. While Britain shivered in the grip of the ‘Big Freeze’ he notched another double at the same venue in February, landing the Finglas Novice Chase on Hyland Patrol and the Malahide Handicap Hurdle on Snow Trix. In April he won the Nas Na Ri Chase at Naas on Trunk Call and also won a handicap hurdle at Punchestown’s big Festival meeting.
He sprang to prominence in 1963, announcing his arrival on the first very day by riding a double at Baldoyle’s New Year’s Day fixture. While Britain shivered in the grip of the ‘Big Freeze’ he notched another double at the same venue in February, landing the Finglas Novice Chase on Hyland Patrol and the Malahide Handicap Hurdle on Snow Trix. In April he won the Nas Na Ri Chase at Naas on Trunk Call and also won a handicap hurdle at Punchestown’s big Festival meeting.
During the summer of 1963 Ben won the Windsor Lad Cup at Killarney on Gale Force X and then registered a high-profile success in the Galway Hurdle on Snow Trix. He won a handicap chase on Kilspindie at Tralee’s festival meeting in September and came close to winning Listowel’s Kerry National on him the following months, going under by a length and a half to Bill McLernon’s mount Baxier.
During the summer of 1963 Ben won the Windsor Lad Cup at Killarney on Gale Force X and then registered a high-profile success in the Galway Hurdle on Snow Trix. He won a handicap chase on Kilspindie at Tralee’s festival meeting in September and came close to winning Listowel’s Kerry National on him the following months, going under by a length and a half to Bill McLernon’s mount Baxier.
He journeyed to Cheltenham for the first time in November to win the Honeybourne Novices’ Chase – a race won by Arkle twelve months earlier – on the Alec Kilpatrick-trained Willie Wagtail III. The next month saw him win the Boston Handicap Chase at Navan on Gale Force X.
He journeyed to Cheltenham for the first time in November to win the Honeybourne Novices’ Chase – a race won by Arkle twelve months earlier – on the Alec Kilpatrick-trained Willie Wagtail III. The next month saw him win the Boston Handicap Chase at Navan on Gale Force X.
Ben rode only seven winners in 1964 but made a good start to 1965, winning a maiden hurdle on the Dick Hoey-trained Blue Blazes at Baldoyle’s New Year meeting, then adding Leopardstown’s Ticknock Handicap Hurdle on Arch Tulip. Riding Greek Vulgan, trained by Tos Taaffe, he finished second to the top-class Fort Leney in the Thyestes Chase, but was soon back in the winner’s enclosure, winning the Baldoyle Handicap Chase on Corrigadillisk. He had his first ride in the Grand National that year, finishing eighth on Loving Record behind American challenger Jay Trump.
Ben rode only seven winners in 1964 but made a good start to 1965, winning a maiden hurdle on the Dick Hoey-trained Blue Blazes at Baldoyle’s New Year meeting, then adding Leopardstown’s Ticknock Handicap Hurdle on Arch Tulip. Riding Greek Vulgan, trained by Tos Taaffe, he finished second to the top-class Fort Leney in the Thyestes Chase, but was soon back in the winner’s enclosure, winning the Baldoyle Handicap Chase on Corrigadillisk. He had his first ride in the Grand National that year, finishing eighth on Loving Record behind American challenger Jay Trump.
He enjoyed a lucrative summer, winning the Yeats County Handicap Chase at Sligo on In Shore, followed by winners at Mullingar, Navan, Bellewstown and the Killarney and Galway festival meetings. He then won the ‘Mr. What’ Challenge Cup Chase at Tuam’s annual fixture on Greek Lad. A pair of Baldoyle handicap hurdles on Scoil in August was accompanied by victory in a Limerick Junction handicap chase on Greatrakes, followed by Worsted Wizard’s success in the quirkily-named ‘The Cobblers’ Handicap Hurdle at Tralee on the first day of September.
He enjoyed a lucrative summer, winning the Yeats County Handicap Chase at Sligo on In Shore, followed by winners at Mullingar, Navan, Bellewstown and the Killarney and Galway festival meetings. He then won the ‘Mr. What’ Challenge Cup Chase at Tuam’s annual fixture on Greek Lad. A pair of Baldoyle handicap hurdles on Scoil in August was accompanied by victory in a Limerick Junction handicap chase on Greatrakes, followed by Worsted Wizard’s success in the quirkily-named ‘The Cobblers’ Handicap Hurdle at Tralee on the first day of September.
In October Ben rode Greatrakes to a high-profile success in Limerick’s Munster National. The following week he won the two big races at Punchestown’s autumn meeting; the Harp Lager Handicap Hurdle on Arch Tulip and the Double Diamond Handicap Chase on Corrigadillisk, rounding off the day with a treble in the Macardle Moore Hurdle on Busty Hill, all three trained by Tos Taaffe.
In October Ben rode Greatrakes to a high-profile success in Limerick’s Munster National. The following week he won the two big races at Punchestown’s autumn meeting; the Harp Lager Handicap Hurdle on Arch Tulip and the Double Diamond Handicap Chase on Corrigadillisk, rounding off the day with a treble in the Macardle Moore Hurdle on Busty Hill, all three trained by Tos Taaffe.
Later that month he rode Busty Hill to win the Junction Handicap Hurdle at Limerick Junction. He rounded off a lucrative month of October by winning the Independent Cup Chase at Leopardstown on Papus. Then in November he secured another big prize, winning the Irish Gallaher Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Blue Blazes.
Later that month he rode Busty Hill to win the Junction Handicap Hurdle at Limerick Junction. He rounded off a lucrative month of October by winning the Independent Cup Chase at Leopardstown on Papus. Then in November he secured another big prize, winning the Irish Gallaher Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Blue Blazes.
In mid-December rode Blue Blazes to win a Navan novice chase. Although he failed to get on the scoreboard at either Leopardstown or Limerick over Christmas, for Ben 1965 had been a year like no other. He ended as champion National Hunt jockey with a tally of 36 winners.
In mid-December rode Blue Blazes to win a Navan novice chase. Although he failed to get on the scoreboard at either Leopardstown or Limerick over Christmas, for Ben 1965 had been a year like no other. He ended as champion National Hunt jockey with a tally of 36 winners.
Nor did the pace relent as 1965 turned into ’66, landing a double at Thurles on January 6, then winning on the Tos Taaffe-trained pair Papus at Leopardstown and Gold Fort at Gowran Park later that month. He notched a Leopardstown double on the first day of March, completed by Loving Record in the Sandyford Handicap Chase. Ben then rode him in the 1966 Grand National, once again completing the course, albeit last of the twelve finishers.
Nor did the pace relent as 1965 turned into ’66, landing a double at Thurles on January 6, then winning on the Tos Taaffe-trained pair Papus at Leopardstown and Gold Fort at Gowran Park later that month. He notched a Leopardstown double on the first day of March, completed by Loving Record in the Sandyford Handicap Chase. Ben then rode him in the 1966 Grand National, once again completing the course, albeit last of the twelve finishers.
At Fairyhouse’s 1966 Easter meeting he won the valuable Sir Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle on Shannon Shamrock; then at Punchestown he landed the Guinness Handicap Chase on Greek Vulgan. Back at Leopardstown in November, he rode Busty Hill to win the Sandymount Chase. In December he partnered Greatrakes to victory at Powerstown Park (now known as Clonmel), won a Punchestown novice chase on the useful Arctic Stream; landed the Three-Year-Old Hurdle on Knockane at Leopardstown on Boxing (St Stephen’s) Day and the Claremount Handicap Chase on the similarly-named Knockaney at Baldoyle on New Year’s Eve.
At Fairyhouse’s 1966 Easter meeting he won the valuable Sir Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle on Shannon Shamrock; then at Punchestown he landed the Guinness Handicap Chase on Greek Vulgan. Back at Leopardstown in November, he rode Busty Hill to win the Sandymount Chase. In December he partnered Greatrakes to victory at Powerstown Park (now known as Clonmel), won a Punchestown novice chase on the useful Arctic Stream; landed the Three-Year-Old Hurdle on Knockane at Leopardstown on Boxing (St Stephen’s) Day and the Claremount Handicap Chase on the similarly-named Knockaney at Baldoyle on New Year’s Eve.
In January 1967 he won Gowran Park’s flagship race, the Thyestes Chase, on Greek Vulgan. The following month he landed Leopardstown’s Foxrock Cup on Knockaney and the Navan Hurdle on Secret Vulgan, both for Tos Taaffe. He then registered a Baldoyle double on Busty Hill in the Finglas Chase and Corrigadillisk in the Baldoyle Handicap Chase, and won Leopardstown’s Sandyford Chase on Cottagebrook, again trained by Taaffe.
In January 1967 he won Gowran Park’s flagship race, the Thyestes Chase, on Greek Vulgan. The following month he landed Leopardstown’s Foxrock Cup on Knockaney and the Navan Hurdle on Secret Vulgan, both for Tos Taaffe. He then registered a Baldoyle double on Busty Hill in the Finglas Chase and Corrigadillisk in the Baldoyle Handicap Chase, and won Leopardstown’s Sandyford Chase on Cottagebrook, again trained by Taaffe.
On March 15, 1967, Ben gained his first Cheltenham Festival success on Arctic Stream in the Cotswold Chase – now called the Arkle Chase – on Irish raider Arctic Stream. Tragically, Arctic Stream was killed when falling in his very next race at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
On March 15, 1967, Ben gained his first Cheltenham Festival success on Arctic Stream in the Cotswold Chase – now called the Arkle Chase – on Irish raider Arctic Stream. Tragically, Arctic Stream was killed when falling in his very next race at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
In August of that year, Ben won his second Galway Guinness Hurdle, this time on the Tom Dreaper-trained Muir. Later that season he rode Muir to win Leopardstown’s Scalp Hurdle, the first leg of a double that day, completed by Tos Taaffe’s Solinstown in the Sandyford Chase. Riding Knockaney, he came within a short head of recording his greatest triumph in the 1968 Irish Grand National, following a neck and neck battle up the Fairyhouse straight with John Crowley’s mount Herring Gull.
In August of that year, Ben won his second Galway Guinness Hurdle, this time on the Tom Dreaper-trained Muir. Later that season he rode Muir to win Leopardstown’s Scalp Hurdle, the first leg of a double that day, completed by Tos Taaffe’s Solinstown in the Sandyford Chase. Riding Knockaney, he came within a short head of recording his greatest triumph in the 1968 Irish Grand National, following a neck and neck battle up the Fairyhouse straight with John Crowley’s mount Herring Gull.
In January 1969 Ben won the Thyestes Chase on Greek Vulgan for the second time. Two months later he recorded his third – and greatest – success in Britain when winning the National Hunt Two Mile Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Muir, making all to beat Even Keel by an unchallenged ten lengths. They followed up by winning the Drogheda Chase at Punchestown.
In January 1969 Ben won the Thyestes Chase on Greek Vulgan for the second time. Two months later he recorded his third – and greatest – success in Britain when winning the National Hunt Two Mile Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Muir, making all to beat Even Keel by an unchallenged ten lengths. They followed up by winning the Drogheda Chase at Punchestown.
Ben enjoyed another good summer that year, winning Killarney’s Rank Cup on Tarquin Bid, Limerick’s Guinness Handicap Hurdle on Gilhooly, and Galway’s Ballindooly Hurdle on Hungarian. He notched a Baldoyle double on Tos Taaffe’s chasers Beau Parc and Knockaney, winning on the latter again at Fairyhouse 1970 Easter meeting. He rode three winners at that year’s Punchestown festival, comprising a second successive Drogheda Chase on Muir, the John Jameson Cup on Glencaraig Lady, and the Guinness Handicap Chase on Garoupe, the latter pair trained by Francis Flood.
Ben enjoyed another good summer that year, winning Killarney’s Rank Cup on Tarquin Bid, Limerick’s Guinness Handicap Hurdle on Gilhooly, and Galway’s Ballindooly Hurdle on Hungarian. He notched a Baldoyle double on Tos Taaffe’s chasers Beau Parc and Knockaney, winning on the latter again at Fairyhouse 1970 Easter meeting. He rode three winners at that year’s Punchestown festival, comprising a second successive Drogheda Chase on Muir, the John Jameson Cup on Glencaraig Lady, and the Guinness Handicap Chase on Garoupe, the latter pair trained by Francis Flood.
Among the best horses Ben rode during the 1970/71 campaign was Tos Taaffe’s hurdler Shaneman, on whom he won at Punchestown and Fairyhouse in December and at Naas in February. Put over fences the following season, Ben won a Fairyhouse novice chase on him and then landed the Kildare Handicap Chase at Naas in March 1972. Ben’s other big race successes that season included the Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Chase at Leopardstown on Ormond King and the Prince of Wales Handicap Chase at Punchestown on Russian Friend, the latter trained by Tos Taaffe’s brother Pat.
Among the best horses Ben rode during the 1970/71 campaign was Tos Taaffe’s hurdler Shaneman, on whom he won at Punchestown and Fairyhouse in December and at Naas in February. Put over fences the following season, Ben won a Fairyhouse novice chase on him and then landed the Kildare Handicap Chase at Naas in March 1972. Ben’s other big race successes that season included the Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Chase at Leopardstown on Ormond King and the Prince of Wales Handicap Chase at Punchestown on Russian Friend, the latter trained by Tos Taaffe’s brother Pat.
Ben’s winners in the summer of 1972 included Red Rohan for Tos Taaffe in the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase. In 1973 he won the Celbridge Handicap Hurdle at Naas and the Dunshaughlin Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse on The Grey Guy, trainer by Frank Prendergast.
Ben’s winners in the summer of 1972 included Red Rohan for Tos Taaffe in the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase. In 1973 he won the Celbridge Handicap Hurdle at Naas and the Dunshaughlin Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse on The Grey Guy, trainer by Frank Prendergast.
He had his third and final Grand National ride in 1974 aboard Shaneman, parting company at the tenth fence having been badly baulked by a loose horse. In August of that year he won Down Royal’s Silk Cut Handicap Hurdle on Korotrin. At Punchestown on the last day of April 1975 he won his second John Jameson Cup, this time on the Bunny Cox-trained Fort Fox.
He had his third and final Grand National ride in 1974 aboard Shaneman, parting company at the tenth fence having been badly baulked by a loose horse. In August of that year he won Down Royal’s Silk Cut Handicap Hurdle on Korotrin. At Punchestown on the last day of April 1975 he won his second John Jameson Cup, this time on the Bunny Cox-trained Fort Fox.
He rode for a couple more years, achieving his last big race success on Mwanadike in the Forenoughts Hurdle at Punchestown on February 5, 1977. His rode his last winner on King Pan in a Down Royal maiden hurdle on April 23, 1977. King Pan was also his final mount five days later when finishing seventh of eight in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
He rode for a couple more years, achieving his last big race success on Mwanadike in the Forenoughts Hurdle at Punchestown on February 5, 1977. His rode his last winner on King Pan in a Down Royal maiden hurdle on April 23, 1977. King Pan was also his final mount five days later when finishing seventh of eight in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
Ben Hannon’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Ben Hannon’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Willie Wagtail III, Cheltenham, November 16, 1963
1. Willie Wagtail III, Cheltenham, November 16, 1963
2. Arctic Stream, Cheltenham, March 15, 1967
2. Arctic Stream, Cheltenham, March 15, 1967
3. Muir, Cheltenham, March 18, 1969
3. Muir, Cheltenham, March 18, 1969
4. Fair Rambler, Hereford, March 1, 1975
4. Fair Rambler, Hereford, March 1, 1975
5. Tommy Joe, Bangor-on-Dee, April 18, 1975
5. Tommy Joe, Bangor-on-Dee, April 18, 1975
6. Tommy Joe, Doncaster, November 7, 1975
6. Tommy Joe, Doncaster, November 7, 1975
7. Fair Rambler, Hereford, March 6, 1976
7. Fair Rambler, Hereford, March 6, 1976
His major wins in Ireland included:
His major wins in Ireland included:
1963: Finglas Novice Chase (Baldoyle) on Hyland Patrol; Malahide Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) on Snow Trix; Nas Na Ri Chase (Naas) on Trunk Call; Windsor Lad Cup (Killarney on Gale Force X; Galway Handicap Hurdle (Galway) on Snow Trix; Boston Handicap Chase (Navan) on Gale Force X.
1963: Finglas Novice Chase (Baldoyle) on Hyland Patrol; Malahide Handicap Hurdle (Baldoyle) on Snow Trix; Nas Na Ri Chase (Naas) on Trunk Call; Windsor Lad Cup (Killarney on Gale Force X; Galway Handicap Hurdle (Galway) on Snow Trix; Boston Handicap Chase (Navan) on Gale Force X.
1965: Ticknock Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Arch Tulip; Baldoyle Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Corrigadillisk. Yeats County Handicap Chase (Sligo) on In Shore; ‘Mr. What’ Challenge Cup Chase (Tuam) on Greek Lad; Munster National Handicap Chase (Limerick) on Greatrakes; Harp Lager Handicap Hurdle (Punchestown) on Arch Tulip; Double Diamond Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Corrigadillisk; Junction Handicap Hurdle (Limerick Junction) on Busty Hill; Independent Cup Chase (Leopardstown) on Papus; Irish Gallaher Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on Blue Blazes.
1965: Ticknock Handicap Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Arch Tulip; Baldoyle Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Corrigadillisk. Yeats County Handicap Chase (Sligo) on In Shore; ‘Mr. What’ Challenge Cup Chase (Tuam) on Greek Lad; Munster National Handicap Chase (Limerick) on Greatrakes; Harp Lager Handicap Hurdle (Punchestown) on Arch Tulip; Double Diamond Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Corrigadillisk; Junction Handicap Hurdle (Limerick Junction) on Busty Hill; Independent Cup Chase (Leopardstown) on Papus; Irish Gallaher Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on Blue Blazes.
1966: Sir Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on Shannon Shamrock; Guinness Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Greek Vulgan; Sandymount Chase (Leopardstown) on Busty Hill.
1966: Sir Billy Butlin Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on Shannon Shamrock; Guinness Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Greek Vulgan; Sandymount Chase (Leopardstown) on Busty Hill.
1967: Thyestes Handicap Chase (Gowran Park) on Greek Vulgan; Foxrock Cup Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Knockaney; Finglas Chase (Baldoyle) on Busty Hill; Baldoyle Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Corrigadillisk; Guinness Hurdle (Galway) on Muir.
1967: Thyestes Handicap Chase (Gowran Park) on Greek Vulgan; Foxrock Cup Handicap Chase (Leopardstown) on Knockaney; Finglas Chase (Baldoyle) on Busty Hill; Baldoyle Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Corrigadillisk; Guinness Hurdle (Galway) on Muir.
1968: Scalp Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Muir.
1968: Scalp Hurdle (Leopardstown) on Muir.
1969: Thyestes Chase (Gowran Park) on Greek Vulgan; Drogheda Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Muir; Rank Cup Chase (Killarney) on Tarquin Bid; Guinness Handicap Hurdle (Limerick) on Gilhooly; Killester Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Knockaney.
1969: Thyestes Chase (Gowran Park) on Greek Vulgan; Drogheda Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Muir; Rank Cup Chase (Killarney) on Tarquin Bid; Guinness Handicap Hurdle (Limerick) on Gilhooly; Killester Handicap Chase (Baldoyle) on Knockaney.
1970: Drogheda Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Muir; John Jameson Cup Chase (Punchestown) on Glencaraig Lady; Guinness Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Garoupe.
1970: Drogheda Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Muir; John Jameson Cup Chase (Punchestown) on Glencaraig Lady; Guinness Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Garoupe.
1972: Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Chase (Leopardstown) on Ormond King; Kildare Handicap Chase (Naas) on Shaneman; Prince of Wales Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Russian Friend; Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Red Rohan.
1972: Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Chase (Leopardstown) on Ormond King; Kildare Handicap Chase (Naas) on Shaneman; Prince of Wales Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Russian Friend; Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (Galway) on Red Rohan.
1973: Celbridge Handicap Hurdle (Naas) on The Grey Guy; Dunshaughlin Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on The Grey Guy.
1973: Celbridge Handicap Hurdle (Naas) on The Grey Guy; Dunshaughlin Handicap Hurdle (Fairyhouse) on The Grey Guy.
1974: Silk Cut Handicap Hurdle (Down Royal) on Korotrin.
1974: Silk Cut Handicap Hurdle (Down Royal) on Korotrin.
1975: John Jameson Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Fort Fox.
1975: John Jameson Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase (Punchestown) on Fort Fox.
1977: Forenoughts Hurdle (Punchestown) on Mwanadike.
1977: Forenoughts Hurdle (Punchestown) on Mwanadike.