Tim Hyde
(c1909-1967)
(c1909-1967)
Timothy Joseph Hyde is best remembered for his association with Prince Regent, on whom he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and for winning the 1939 Grand National on Workman.
Timothy Joseph Hyde is best remembered for his association with Prince Regent, on whom he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and for winning the 1939 Grand National on Workman.
Tim had started out, like most other jockeys, in the show-jumping ring. As a jockey, he first sprung to prominence when winning the 1938 Irish Grand National on Clare County. His performance had been noted by ex-jockey Jack Ruttle, then training in Celbridge, Co. Dublin. Jack persuaded the youngster to turn professional. Tim did so, and promptly rode Jack’s Workman to Grand National glory.
Tim had started out, like most other jockeys, in the show-jumping ring. As a jockey, he first sprung to prominence when winning the 1938 Irish Grand National on Clare County. His performance had been noted by ex-jockey Jack Ruttle, then training in Celbridge, Co. Dublin. Jack persuaded the youngster to turn professional. Tim did so, and promptly rode Jack’s Workman to Grand National glory.
He’d made his first assault on the Grand National in 1938, riding the seven-year-old Cabin Fire, who fell. It took just a year to put the score right.
He’d made his first assault on the Grand National in 1938, riding the seven-year-old Cabin Fire, who fell. It took just a year to put the score right.
Bringing Workman to the front after clearing Valentine's, only a fall could deny him victory as his closest rival, Black Hawk, came down. Tim only had to keep riding to hold off Macmoffat by three lengths.
Bringing Workman to the front after clearing Valentine's, only a fall could deny him victory as his closest rival, Black Hawk, came down. Tim only had to keep riding to hold off Macmoffat by three lengths.
As the regular rider of the brilliant Prince Regent, another National seemed certain to come his way, but the Second World War intervened. Tim rode in the 1940 National, pulling up on Sterling Duke. It was to be the only National to be held during the hostilities
As the regular rider of the brilliant Prince Regent, another National seemed certain to come his way, but the Second World War intervened. Tim rode in the 1940 National, pulling up on Sterling Duke. It was to be the only National to be held during the hostilities
Tim rode Prince Regent during the war: they enjoyed much success together including the 1942 Irish Grand National. He partnered Prince Regent in 28 consecutive races, winning 12. They also landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup together (1946).
Tim rode Prince Regent during the war: they enjoyed much success together including the 1942 Irish Grand National. He partnered Prince Regent in 28 consecutive races, winning 12. They also landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup together (1946).
With the war over, Tim and Prince Regent finally got to Aintree in 1946, but it was now too late. The horse, then an 11-year-old, was given 12st 5lb to carry on atrocious ground. There was a glimmer of a chance when still in front jumping the last, but Lovely Cottage swept into the lead on the run-in. Price Regent was caught and passed not far from the line by Jack Finlay to finish a respectable third.
With the war over, Tim and Prince Regent finally got to Aintree in 1946, but it was now too late. The horse, then an 11-year-old, was given 12st 5lb to carry on atrocious ground. There was a glimmer of a chance when still in front jumping the last, but Lovely Cottage swept into the lead on the run-in. Price Regent was caught and passed not far from the line by Jack Finlay to finish a respectable third.
Tim and Prince Regent attempted to win the race twice more, but the handicapper was merciless, and the partnership was beaten on both occasions, finishing fourth in 1947 and pulling up in 1948. However, they did win two other races over the Grand National course, namely the 1946 Champion Chase and the
Tim and Prince Regent attempted to win the race twice more, but the handicapper was merciless, and the partnership was beaten on both occasions, finishing fourth in 1947 and pulling up in 1948. However, they did win two other races over the Grand National course, namely the 1946 Champion Chase and the
1947 Becher Chase. Tim had also won the Becher Chase in 1946 on Red Branch.
1947 Becher Chase. Tim had also won the Becher Chase in 1946 on Red Branch.
He retired on a winning note, his last ride Dominick’s Bar scoring at Naas on January 8, 1949
He retired on a winning note, his last ride Dominick’s Bar scoring at Naas on January 8, 1949
In 1951, Tim, by then show-jumping, took stable apprentice Tommy Kinane to a show at Clonakilty, County Cork. There he suffered the fall every jockey dreads: he was left partially paralysed and permanently confined to a wheelchair.
In 1951, Tim, by then show-jumping, took stable apprentice Tommy Kinane to a show at Clonakilty, County Cork. There he suffered the fall every jockey dreads: he was left partially paralysed and permanently confined to a wheelchair.
He then began training, sending out horses from his Camas Park stables in Tipperary, assisted by his son Timmy (T. E. Hyde, born 8 August, 1941, who was also a jump jockey, best remembered for his partnership with Anne, Duchess of Westminster’s good chaser Kinloch Brae). Tim’s brother, Patrick, had died from injuries received in a point-to-point in Ireland in 1943.
He then began training, sending out horses from his Camas Park stables in Tipperary, assisted by his son Timmy (T. E. Hyde, born 8 August, 1941, who was also a jump jockey, best remembered for his partnership with Anne, Duchess of Westminster’s good chaser Kinloch Brae). Tim’s brother, Patrick, had died from injuries received in a point-to-point in Ireland in 1943.
Tim Hyde died in Cork Hospital on May 31, 1967, aged 58.
Tim Hyde died in Cork Hospital on May 31, 1967, aged 58.
Biggest wins:
Biggest wins:
1938: Irish Grand National - Clare County
1938: Irish Grand National - Clare County
1939: Grand National - Workman
1939: Grand National - Workman
1942: Irish Grand National - Prince Regent
1942: Irish Grand National - Prince Regent
1946: Champion Chase - Prince Regent
1946: Champion Chase - Prince Regent
1946: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Prince Regent
1946: Cheltenham Gold Cup - Prince Regent
1946: Becher Chase - Red Branch
1946: Becher Chase - Red Branch
1947: Becher Chase - Prince Regent
1947: Becher Chase - Prince Regent