Terry Kavanagh
1867 - 1908
1867 - 1908
Born at Bray, Co. Wicklow, on March 13, 1867, Terry Kavanagh is best known for winning the 1897 Grand National on Manifesto.
Born at Bray, Co. Wicklow, on March 13, 1867, Terry Kavanagh is best known for winning the 1897 Grand National on Manifesto.
At the age of ten, Terry Kavanagh became apprenticed to the famous trainer Harry Linde at Eyrefield Lodge, on the Curragh. Although better known as a National Hunt jockey, he rode successfully on the Flat for over ten years, his finest hour in that sphere being when winning the 1887 Irish Derby on Linde’s 6/1 shot Pet Fox. (Although some sources credit Tommy Beasley with the winning ride, the colt was definitely ridden by Terry Kavanagh.)
At the age of ten, Terry Kavanagh became apprenticed to the famous trainer Harry Linde at Eyrefield Lodge, on the Curragh. Although better known as a National Hunt jockey, he rode successfully on the Flat for over ten years, his finest hour in that sphere being when winning the 1887 Irish Derby on Linde’s 6/1 shot Pet Fox. (Although some sources credit Tommy Beasley with the winning ride, the colt was definitely ridden by Terry Kavanagh.)
He went on to become one of the best jumps jockeys of the period, winning many of the top races. In addition to his Grand National triumph, he won the Lancashire Chase three times on Spahi (1888), Manifesto (1894) and Gentle Ida (1895), the Grand Sefton on Choufleur (1890), the Champion Chase on Chevy Chase (1898), the Sandown Grand Prize on Gillstown (1893) and the Jubilee Hurdle twice on Niblick (1892) and Spring Flower (1901).
He went on to become one of the best jumps jockeys of the period, winning many of the top races. In addition to his Grand National triumph, he won the Lancashire Chase three times on Spahi (1888), Manifesto (1894) and Gentle Ida (1895), the Grand Sefton on Choufleur (1890), the Champion Chase on Chevy Chase (1898), the Sandown Grand Prize on Gillstown (1893) and the Jubilee Hurdle twice on Niblick (1892) and Spring Flower (1901).
Having fallen on Miss Baron a year earlier, Terry Kavanagh returned to Aintree in triumph to win the 1897 Grand National on Manifesto, who started the 6/1 favourite and came home the easiest of winners by 20 lengths.
Having fallen on Miss Baron a year earlier, Terry Kavanagh returned to Aintree in triumph to win the 1897 Grand National on Manifesto, who started the 6/1 favourite and came home the easiest of winners by 20 lengths.
Terry's excitement at winning the great race was tempered by sadness. Henry Linde, who had given the jockey his start in racing, was not at Aintree to watch the race; he had died of Bright's disease eight days before.
Terry's excitement at winning the great race was tempered by sadness. Henry Linde, who had given the jockey his start in racing, was not at Aintree to watch the race; he had died of Bright's disease eight days before.
Two years’ later, Terry Kavanagh was warned for ‘pulling’ a horse named Portacloy in a hurdle race at Keele Park in February 1899. His licence was restored in 1901, by which time he had returned to the home of his birth and was only riding in Ireland. He retired in 1903.
Two years’ later, Terry Kavanagh was warned for ‘pulling’ a horse named Portacloy in a hurdle race at Keele Park in February 1899. His licence was restored in 1901, by which time he had returned to the home of his birth and was only riding in Ireland. He retired in 1903.
He died at Newbridge, Co. Kildare on January 4, 1908, aged only 40.
He died at Newbridge, Co. Kildare on January 4, 1908, aged only 40.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1887: Irish Derby - Pet Fox
1887: Irish Derby - Pet Fox
1888: Lancashire Chase - Spahi
1888: Lancashire Chase - Spahi
1890: Grand Sefton - Choufleur
1890: Grand Sefton - Choufleur
1892: Jubilee Hurdle - Niblick
1892: Jubilee Hurdle - Niblick
1893: Sandown Grand Prize - Gillstown
1893: Sandown Grand Prize - Gillstown
1894: Lancashire Chase - Manifesto
1894: Lancashire Chase - Manifesto
1895: Lancashire Chase - Gentle Ida
1895: Lancashire Chase - Gentle Ida
1897: Grand National - Manifesto
1897: Grand National - Manifesto
1898: Champion Chase - Chevy Chase
1898: Champion Chase - Chevy Chase
1901: Jubilee Hurdle - Spring Flower
1901: Jubilee Hurdle - Spring Flower