Andrew Lynch
Born in Ashbourne, County Meath on October 10, 1984, jump jockey Andrew Lynch rode 20 Grade 1 winners between 2007 and 2015 including four at the Cheltenham Festival.
Born in Ashbourne, County Meath on October 10, 1984, jump jockey Andrew Lynch rode 20 Grade 1 winners between 2007 and 2015 including four at the Cheltenham Festival.
He started out as an amateur and had his first ride in public on Jack Dante, owned and trained by Patrick Rooney in a pro-am bumper at Fairyhouse on April 25, 2001, finishing 17th of the 28 runners. He had to wait over a year to get off the mark, which he did at the 26th time of asking aboard the Al O'Connell-trained Tristernagh in the Irish Field Novice Hurdle at Downpatrick on May 18, 2002.
He started out as an amateur and had his first ride in public on Jack Dante, owned and trained by Patrick Rooney in a pro-am bumper at Fairyhouse on April 25, 2001, finishing 17th of the 28 runners. He had to wait over a year to get off the mark, which he did at the 26th time of asking aboard the Al O'Connell-trained Tristernagh in the Irish Field Novice Hurdle at Downpatrick on May 18, 2002.
Back at Downpatrick a fortnight later, he had a dream day, landing a double on Atregan Lady and Bavardante. One might have thought riding a double so early in his career would have resulted in a brisk upturn in the quality of his mounts, but surprisingly, he rode only three winners over the course of the next two years.
Back at Downpatrick a fortnight later, he had a dream day, landing a double on Atregan Lady and Bavardante. One might have thought riding a double so early in his career would have resulted in a brisk upturn in the quality of his mounts, but surprisingly, he rode only three winners over the course of the next two years.
Proof that he was finally starting to get noticed on a wider stage came when he came in for the ride on the Ron Hodges-trained Tender Falcon in the Burton & Smith Amateur Derby (the former Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum) at Epsom on August Bank Holiday Monday 2004, his first ride on the Flat in England. He kept the 9-2 favourite perfectly positioned throughout, striking the front with two furlongs left to run and going on to score by a length and a quarter.
Proof that he was finally starting to get noticed on a wider stage came when he came in for the ride on the Ron Hodges-trained Tender Falcon in the Burton & Smith Amateur Derby (the former Moet & Chandon Silver Magnum) at Epsom on August Bank Holiday Monday 2004, his first ride on the Flat in England. He kept the 9-2 favourite perfectly positioned throughout, striking the front with two furlongs left to run and going on to score by a length and a quarter.
His next win came four months later on the Paul Stafford-trained Blueberry Boy in a bumper at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. The next few months proved profitable with wins on the likes of Penny Out in a Downpatrick hunter chase and Bellewstown bumper winner Amber Trix. His victory on Ballad Lad in a bumper at Wexford on July 24, 2005 proved to be the final one of his amateur career, for he took the decision to turn professional a few days later.
His next win came four months later on the Paul Stafford-trained Blueberry Boy in a bumper at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. The next few months proved profitable with wins on the likes of Penny Out in a Downpatrick hunter chase and Bellewstown bumper winner Amber Trix. His victory on Ballad Lad in a bumper at Wexford on July 24, 2005 proved to be the final one of his amateur career, for he took the decision to turn professional a few days later.
The winners continued to mount up over the coming months, including a Punchestown double on November 19, 2005, riding Blueberry Boy to win a conditions hurdle and the Jim Dreaper-trained Tazmana to land a maiden hurdle. The following month he was reunited with Blueberry Boy to gain what was up to then the biggest success of his career in the Listed IHN Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. However, Andrew had to wait for the win to become official as, on the day, the pair were demoted to second having been adjudged to have caused interference, but that controversial decision was reversed on appeal.
The winners continued to mount up over the coming months, including a Punchestown double on November 19, 2005, riding Blueberry Boy to win a conditions hurdle and the Jim Dreaper-trained Tazmana to land a maiden hurdle. The following month he was reunited with Blueberry Boy to gain what was up to then the biggest success of his career in the Listed IHN Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. However, Andrew had to wait for the win to become official as, on the day, the pair were demoted to second having been adjudged to have caused interference, but that controversial decision was reversed on appeal.
While he would continue his upward curve in 2006, it did not start well for Andrew, because he broke an arm in a schooling accident just days into the New Year. The injury ruled him out of action for over two months, but he made the perfect return when partnering the Ado McGuinness-trained Victram to success in the Imperial Cup at Sandown Park.
While he would continue his upward curve in 2006, it did not start well for Andrew, because he broke an arm in a schooling accident just days into the New Year. The injury ruled him out of action for over two months, but he made the perfect return when partnering the Ado McGuinness-trained Victram to success in the Imperial Cup at Sandown Park.
Other notable wins that year included the Michael O’Brien-trained Commonchero in the Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase at Tipperary in June and the aforementioned Victram in a valuable handicap hurdle at Down Royal in November. The latter win marked the beginning of a hot run of form during which he gained three Graded race successes during a six-week period. They comprised Blueberry Boy in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown, the Grade 3 Cork Stayers’ Hurdle on the Padge Berry-trained Emma Jane, and Michael O’Brien’s De Valira in the Grade 2 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
Other notable wins that year included the Michael O’Brien-trained Commonchero in the Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase at Tipperary in June and the aforementioned Victram in a valuable handicap hurdle at Down Royal in November. The latter win marked the beginning of a hot run of form during which he gained three Graded race successes during a six-week period. They comprised Blueberry Boy in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown, the Grade 3 Cork Stayers’ Hurdle on the Padge Berry-trained Emma Jane, and Michael O’Brien’s De Valira in the Grade 2 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
Andrew kicked off 2007 with four winners in the opening month, highlighted by the victory of Forget The Past in the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles. The following month he partnered the Kevin O’Brien-trained Duty to easily win the Grade 3 Winning Fair Hurdle at Fairyhouse. He was also among the winners at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival, winning the Listed Sherry Fitzgerald Hurdle on Essex and the Grade 2 Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Novice Hurdle on De Valira.
Andrew kicked off 2007 with four winners in the opening month, highlighted by the victory of Forget The Past in the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles. The following month he partnered the Kevin O’Brien-trained Duty to easily win the Grade 3 Winning Fair Hurdle at Fairyhouse. He was also among the winners at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival, winning the Listed Sherry Fitzgerald Hurdle on Essex and the Grade 2 Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Novice Hurdle on De Valira.
Having ridden out his 3lb claim on Trevi Fountain in a handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe in mid-June 2007, he gained another Graded race success on Essex in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.
Having ridden out his 3lb claim on Trevi Fountain in a handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe in mid-June 2007, he gained another Graded race success on Essex in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.
Among the star performers with whom he became associated was Noble Pere, on whom he won his first Grade 1 contest, the 2007 Knight Frank Ganly Novice Chase at Leopardstown, going on to add both the Troytown Chase and Welsh Grand National in 2008 and the Punchestown Gold Cup in 2009.
Among the star performers with whom he became associated was Noble Pere, on whom he won his first Grade 1 contest, the 2007 Knight Frank Ganly Novice Chase at Leopardstown, going on to add both the Troytown Chase and Welsh Grand National in 2008 and the Punchestown Gold Cup in 2009.
However, the most notable horse he rode was the star two-miler Sizing Europe, whom he partnered to victory on 15 occasions. They included two at the Cheltenham Festival, namely the 2010 Arkle Trophy and 2011 Queen Mother Champion Chase. Other major triumphs included the 2011 Tingle Creek Chase, two Boylesports Champion Chases at Punchestown, a pair of top-level Leopardstown triumphs, the Clonmel Oil Chase and four consecutive renewals of the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park.
However, the most notable horse he rode was the star two-miler Sizing Europe, whom he partnered to victory on 15 occasions. They included two at the Cheltenham Festival, namely the 2010 Arkle Trophy and 2011 Queen Mother Champion Chase. Other major triumphs included the 2011 Tingle Creek Chase, two Boylesports Champion Chases at Punchestown, a pair of top-level Leopardstown triumphs, the Clonmel Oil Chase and four consecutive renewals of the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park.
Andrew’s other two Cheltenham Festival successes came in the 2010 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle aboard the Paul Gilligan-trained Berties Dream and in the 2011 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Sizing Australia, owned by the Potts family, for whom he was their original retained rider before Johnny Burke succeeded him in August 2014
Andrew’s other two Cheltenham Festival successes came in the 2010 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle aboard the Paul Gilligan-trained Berties Dream and in the 2011 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Sizing Australia, owned by the Potts family, for whom he was their original retained rider before Johnny Burke succeeded him in August 2014
He won five races on Voler La Vedette in 2011 including the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, the Boyne Hurdle, Lismullen Hurdle and Christmas Hurdle (all Grade 2), and finished second on her to Big Buck’s in the 2012 Stayers’ Hurdle.
He won five races on Voler La Vedette in 2011 including the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, the Boyne Hurdle, Lismullen Hurdle and Christmas Hurdle (all Grade 2), and finished second on her to Big Buck’s in the 2012 Stayers’ Hurdle.
He also partnered the hugely popular Flemenstar to each of his ten wins under rules in Ireland, including four at the highest level, most notably the Powers Gold Cup and John Durkan Memorial Chase in 2012, plus back-to-back runnings of Navan’s Fortria Chase in 2012 and 2013.
He also partnered the hugely popular Flemenstar to each of his ten wins under rules in Ireland, including four at the highest level, most notably the Powers Gold Cup and John Durkan Memorial Chase in 2012, plus back-to-back runnings of Navan’s Fortria Chase in 2012 and 2013.
Others major victories included the 2010 Powers Gold Cup and 2013 Thyestes Chase on Jadanli; the 2011 John Durkan Memorial Chase and back-to-back runnings (2011/2012) of the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase on Rubi Light; the 2011 Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle on Cash And Go; and a Grade 1 double in juvenile hurdles aboard the Dermot Weld-trained Hisaabaat in 2012.
Others major victories included the 2010 Powers Gold Cup and 2013 Thyestes Chase on Jadanli; the 2011 John Durkan Memorial Chase and back-to-back runnings (2011/2012) of the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase on Rubi Light; the 2011 Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle on Cash And Go; and a Grade 1 double in juvenile hurdles aboard the Dermot Weld-trained Hisaabaat in 2012.
Andrew was consistently one of the busiest jockeys in Ireland, having a remarkable 694 rides during the 2015/16 Irish jumps campaign. That season yielded his best ever domestic tally of 62 winners, while he recorded a total of 513 successes under rules in Ireland and Britain during his career.
Andrew was consistently one of the busiest jockeys in Ireland, having a remarkable 694 rides during the 2015/16 Irish jumps campaign. That season yielded his best ever domestic tally of 62 winners, while he recorded a total of 513 successes under rules in Ireland and Britain during his career.
That career was ended by a first fence fall from Castlegrace Paddy in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase at the 2019 Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown, in which he damaged shoulder nerves. He was optimistic about the prospects of making a comeback but eventually had to admit defeat, announcing his retirement from the saddle at the age of 36 in December 2020.
That career was ended by a first fence fall from Castlegrace Paddy in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase at the 2019 Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown, in which he damaged shoulder nerves. He was optimistic about the prospects of making a comeback but eventually had to admit defeat, announcing his retirement from the saddle at the age of 36 in December 2020.
He told the Racing Post: “It’s official now that I’m not going to be allowed back to ride. I had been doing everything in my power to return, but the specialists haven’t been happy with the injury. I have trouble lifting my arm above my shoulder.”
He told the Racing Post: “It’s official now that I’m not going to be allowed back to ride. I had been doing everything in my power to return, but the specialists haven’t been happy with the injury. I have trouble lifting my arm above my shoulder.”
Instead, he stated that he aimed to focus his attention on his fledgling breeze-up and breaking business. Operating Kilbrew Stables alongside wife Riona, he had already enjoyed some notable successes with his young stock in 2020, selling Molecomb Stakes winner Steel Bull to Michael O’Callaghan, as well as enjoying a fruitful pinhook with Gimcrack Stakes third Mystery Smiles, whom he had sold to King Power Racing for £165,000 in July.
Instead, he stated that he aimed to focus his attention on his fledgling breeze-up and breaking business. Operating Kilbrew Stables alongside wife Riona, he had already enjoyed some notable successes with his young stock in 2020, selling Molecomb Stakes winner Steel Bull to Michael O’Callaghan, as well as enjoying a fruitful pinhook with Gimcrack Stakes third Mystery Smiles, whom he had sold to King Power Racing for £165,000 in July.
Andrew Lynch’s big winners included:
Andrew Lynch’s big winners included:
2004: Burton & Smith Amateur Derby – Tender Falcon
2004: Burton & Smith Amateur Derby – Tender Falcon
2005: INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle – Blueberry Boy
2005: INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle – Blueberry Boy
2006: Imperial Cup – Victram
2006: Imperial Cup – Victram
2006: Craddockstown Novice Chase – Blueberry Boy
2006: Craddockstown Novice Chase – Blueberry Boy
2006: Cork Stayers; Hurdle – Emma Jane
2006: Cork Stayers; Hurdle – Emma Jane
2006: Future Champions Novice Hurdle – De Valira
2006: Future Champions Novice Hurdle – De Valira
2007: Kinloch Brae Chase – Forget The Past
2007: Kinloch Brae Chase – Forget The Past
2007: Winning Fair Hurdle – Duty
2007: Winning Fair Hurdle – Duty
2007: Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Novice Hurdle – De Valira
2007: Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Novice Hurdle – De Valira
2007: Sherry Fitzgerald Hurdle – Essex
2007: Sherry Fitzgerald Hurdle – Essex
2007: Grimes Hurdle – Essex
2007: Grimes Hurdle – Essex
2007: Knight Frank Ganly Novice Chase – Notre Pere
2007: Knight Frank Ganly Novice Chase – Notre Pere
2008: Troytown Handicap Chase – Notre Pere
2008: Troytown Handicap Chase – Notre Pere
2008: Welsh Grand National – Notre Pere
2008: Welsh Grand National – Notre Pere
2009: Punchestown Gold Cup – Notre Pere
2009: Punchestown Gold Cup – Notre Pere
2010: Arkle Challenge Trophy – Sizing Europe
2010: Arkle Challenge Trophy – Sizing Europe
2010: Powers Gold Cup – Jadanli
2010: Powers Gold Cup – Jadanli
2011: Red Mills Chase – Rubi Light
2011: Red Mills Chase – Rubi Light
2011: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2011: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2011: PWC Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2011: PWC Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2011: Tingle Creek Chase – Sizing Europe
2011: Tingle Creek Chase – Sizing Europe
2011: John Durkan Memorial Chase – Rubi Light
2011: John Durkan Memorial Chase – Rubi Light
2011: Future Champions Novice Hurdle – Cash And Go
2011: Future Champions Novice Hurdle – Cash And Go
2011: Boyne Hurdle – Voler La Vedette
2011: Boyne Hurdle – Voler La Vedette
2011: Lismullen Hurdle – Voler La Vedette
2011: Lismullen Hurdle – Voler La Vedette
2011: Hatton’s Grace Hurdle – Voler La Vedette
2011: Hatton’s Grace Hurdle – Voler La Vedette
2011: Christmas Hurdle – Voler La Vedette
2011: Christmas Hurdle – Voler La Vedette
2012: Red Mills Chase – Rubi Light
2012: Red Mills Chase – Rubi Light
2012: Arkle Novice Chase – Flemenstar
2012: Arkle Novice Chase – Flemenstar
2012: Tied Cottage Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: Tied Cottage Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: Spring Juvenile Hurdle – Hisaabaat
2012: Spring Juvenile Hurdle – Hisaabaat
2012: Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle – Hisaabaat
2012: Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle – Hisaabaat
2012: Powers Gold Cup – Flemenstar
2012: Powers Gold Cup – Flemenstar
2012: Punchestown Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: Punchestown Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: Fortria Chase – Flemenstar
2012: Fortria Chase – Flemenstar
2012: Clonmel Oil Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: Clonmel Oil Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: PWC Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: PWC Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: John Durkan Memorial Chase – Flemenstar
2012: John Durkan Memorial Chase – Flemenstar
2012: Paddy Power Chase – Sizing Europe
2012: Paddy Power Chase – Sizing Europe
2013: Thyestes Handicap Chase – Jadanli
2013: Thyestes Handicap Chase – Jadanli
2013: Tied Cottage Chase – Sizing Europe
2013: Tied Cottage Chase – Sizing Europe
2013: Fortria Chase – Flemenstar
2013: Fortria Chase – Flemenstar
2013: PWC Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2013: PWC Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2014: Punchestown Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2014: Punchestown Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2014: PWC Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2014: PWC Champion Chase – Sizing Europe
2015: Paddy Power Chase – Flemenstar
2015: Paddy Power Chase – Flemenstar