Frank Hartigan
1880 - 1952
1880 - 1952
Frank Hartigan was born at Balluncollick, near Cork, in 1880, and made a successful debut at Cardiff in 1907 riding Missionary. Mr Gwyn Saunders-Davies had originally been booked to ride but missed his train.
Frank Hartigan was born at Balluncollick, near Cork, in 1880, and made a successful debut at Cardiff in 1907 riding Missionary. Mr Gwyn Saunders-Davies had originally been booked to ride but missed his train.
Frank then went on to win six out of his first ten rides, but a series of bad falls prematurely ended what may well have been a brilliant career. He did not blame himself for his misfortune.
Frank then went on to win six out of his first ten rides, but a series of bad falls prematurely ended what may well have been a brilliant career. He did not blame himself for his misfortune.
'I prefer riding in France to England,' he said. 'They race fairer and straighter over there than here. Most of my bad accidents in England were caused through unfair riding. For instance, a bad fall from Aesthetic Anne at Hurst Park was caused entirely by Phelan on Lady Malta coming through on the inside of me when there was barely room for one, whilst, soon after, when riding Proud Beauty at Plumpton, one of my worst falls was caused by the reckless riding of a jockey who charged bang into me on the flat, close to the winning post, knocking my mare and myself completely over. I have no hesitation in saying that had either of the incidents occurred in France, both jockeys would have been severely punished.
'I prefer riding in France to England,' he said. 'They race fairer and straighter over there than here. Most of my bad accidents in England were caused through unfair riding. For instance, a bad fall from Aesthetic Anne at Hurst Park was caused entirely by Phelan on Lady Malta coming through on the inside of me when there was barely room for one, whilst, soon after, when riding Proud Beauty at Plumpton, one of my worst falls was caused by the reckless riding of a jockey who charged bang into me on the flat, close to the winning post, knocking my mare and myself completely over. I have no hesitation in saying that had either of the incidents occurred in France, both jockeys would have been severely punished.
'Although I never ride now, except my horses in their work, I dearly loved the game and often long to be wearing silk once again, especially when, having schooled one, I should like to share his triumphs.'
'Although I never ride now, except my horses in their work, I dearly loved the game and often long to be wearing silk once again, especially when, having schooled one, I should like to share his triumphs.'
Frank trained at Weyhill during the first world war: Gerry Wilson, rider of Golden Miller, was one of his apprentices. Frank also trained the winner on which Gordon Richards broke Fred Archer's record of 346 winners in a season. His biggest training success was winning the 1930 Grand National with Shaun Goilin.
Frank trained at Weyhill during the first world war: Gerry Wilson, rider of Golden Miller, was one of his apprentices. Frank also trained the winner on which Gordon Richards broke Fred Archer's record of 346 winners in a season. His biggest training success was winning the 1930 Grand National with Shaun Goilin.
After a long illness, Frank Hartigan, aged 72, died on Thursday, October 16, 1952. He had saddled almost 2,000 winners and, for several years, had been assisted by his son, Joe Hartigan, a well-known and successful amateur rider.
After a long illness, Frank Hartigan, aged 72, died on Thursday, October 16, 1952. He had saddled almost 2,000 winners and, for several years, had been assisted by his son, Joe Hartigan, a well-known and successful amateur rider.
