Fergal Lynch
Fergal Lynch
Fergal Lynch
Born on 9 March 1978 in Derry, Northern Ireland, Fergal Lynch graduated from the Northern Racing College in March 1994 and served his apprenticeship firstly with Jimmy FitzGerald and then with Reg Hollinshead.
Born on 9 March 1978 in Derry, Northern Ireland, Fergal Lynch graduated from the Northern Racing College in March 1994 and served his apprenticeship firstly with Jimmy FitzGerald and then with Reg Hollinshead.
He rode his first winner aboard the Hollinshead-trained Bold Aristocrat, a 14-1 chance, in a six-furlong 0-60 all-weather handicap at Southwell on 13 July 1995. That was the first of Fergal’s’ eight wins on Bold Aristocrat, all gained over the same course and distance between July 1995 and March 1998
He rode his first winner aboard the Hollinshead-trained Bold Aristocrat, a 14-1 chance, in a six-furlong 0-60 all-weather handicap at Southwell on 13 July 1995. That was the first of Fergal’s’ eight wins on Bold Aristocrat, all gained over the same course and distance between July 1995 and March 1998
Fergal was champion apprentice jockey in 1996 with 67 winners, by far the most significant of those being Sir Michael Stoute’s Clerkenwell in the Ebor Handicap. He went on to enjoy considerable success over the next six seasons, achieving a career-best score of 99 wins, including turf and all-weather, in 2002. The following year he achieved his first Group race success on Sir Michael Stoute’s future Derby hero Kris Kin in the Group 3 Dee Stakes at Chester.
Fergal was champion apprentice jockey in 1996 with 67 winners, by far the most significant of those being Sir Michael Stoute’s Clerkenwell in the Ebor Handicap. He went on to enjoy considerable success over the next six seasons, achieving a career-best score of 99 wins, including turf and all-weather, in 2002. The following year he achieved his first Group race success on Sir Michael Stoute’s future Derby hero Kris Kin in the Group 3 Dee Stakes at Chester.
More Group race success followed in 2004, courtesy of Bryan Smart’s sprinter Monsieur Bond, on whom he won the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at the Curragh in April and the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes the following month.
More Group race success followed in 2004, courtesy of Bryan Smart’s sprinter Monsieur Bond, on whom he won the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at the Curragh in April and the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes the following month.
However, on 3 July 2006 the police announced that Fergal, together with two other jockeys, Kieren Fallon and Darren Williams, plus former racehorse owner Miles Rodgers, had been charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers. The trial at the Old Bailey began in autumn 2007 but collapsed in December, with Fergal and the other jockeys being cleared of race-fixing, the judge, Mr Justice Forbes directing the jury to find the defendants not guilty.
However, on 3 July 2006 the police announced that Fergal, together with two other jockeys, Kieren Fallon and Darren Williams, plus former racehorse owner Miles Rodgers, had been charged with conspiracy to defraud Betfair customers. The trial at the Old Bailey began in autumn 2007 but collapsed in December, with Fergal and the other jockeys being cleared of race-fixing, the judge, Mr Justice Forbes directing the jury to find the defendants not guilty.
Previously the British Horseracing Authority had decided not to renew Fergal’s licence until after the outcome of the trial. The BHA duly returned his licence, and he had his first ride back on 4 January 2008. He also rode in Spain, France and Germany, but in August that year he went to ride in America and join his brother Cathal, whose training operation was based in Philadelphia.
Previously the British Horseracing Authority had decided not to renew Fergal’s licence until after the outcome of the trial. The BHA duly returned his licence, and he had his first ride back on 4 January 2008. He also rode in Spain, France and Germany, but in August that year he went to ride in America and join his brother Cathal, whose training operation was based in Philadelphia.
In July 2009, having already ridden 103 winners so far that year, he was banned from riding for a year at Philadelphia Park. He had by then admitted to the BHA a series of major offences, including stopping a horse, Bond City, from winning at Ripon in August 2004, supplying inside information for six of his rides, and betting and associating with the disqualified Miles Rodgers. He was fined £50,000 and agreed not to ride in Britain for at least a year as part of a plea bargain agreement with the BHA.
In July 2009, having already ridden 103 winners so far that year, he was banned from riding for a year at Philadelphia Park. He had by then admitted to the BHA a series of major offences, including stopping a horse, Bond City, from winning at Ripon in August 2004, supplying inside information for six of his rides, and betting and associating with the disqualified Miles Rodgers. He was fined £50,000 and agreed not to ride in Britain for at least a year as part of a plea bargain agreement with the BHA.
He attempted to regain his British licence ahead of a proposed return in 2011 but his application was rejected. However, he was free to ride in Ireland after he was granted a licence there in 2012. His winners that year included the Listed Woodlands Stakes on Santo Padre for David Marnane, and the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial on the Tommy Carmody-trained Ursa Major.
He attempted to regain his British licence ahead of a proposed return in 2011 but his application was rejected. However, he was free to ride in Ireland after he was granted a licence there in 2012. His winners that year included the Listed Woodlands Stakes on Santo Padre for David Marnane, and the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial on the Tommy Carmody-trained Ursa Major.
In 2014 he was allowed to ride in Britain again under BHA rules as an overseas jockey, initially for a probationary period. As part of the agreement, Fergal agreed to participate in the delivery of the BHA’s education programmes and education material.
In 2014 he was allowed to ride in Britain again under BHA rules as an overseas jockey, initially for a probationary period. As part of the agreement, Fergal agreed to participate in the delivery of the BHA’s education programmes and education material.
In July 2015 he won the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton Park on the David Brown-trained Medrano. More importantly, in September that year, he guided Mondialiste to win the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile in Canada for Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara.
In July 2015 he won the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton Park on the David Brown-trained Medrano. More importantly, in September that year, he guided Mondialiste to win the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile in Canada for Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara.
Fergal returned to America in 2016 and has plied his trade successfully there ever since. His major victories have included several major races for top trainers. notably, in 2017, the Commonwealth Derby on Just Howard for Graham Motion, and the Commonwealth Oaks on Rymska for Chad Brown; in 2018, the Bald Eagle Derby on Channel Cat for Todd Pletcher; and the 2018 and 2021 renewals of the Frank De Francis Memorial Dash on Switzerland and Jalen Journey, both for Steve Asmussen.
Fergal returned to America in 2016 and has plied his trade successfully there ever since. His major victories have included several major races for top trainers. notably, in 2017, the Commonwealth Derby on Just Howard for Graham Motion, and the Commonwealth Oaks on Rymska for Chad Brown; in 2018, the Bald Eagle Derby on Channel Cat for Todd Pletcher; and the 2018 and 2021 renewals of the Frank De Francis Memorial Dash on Switzerland and Jalen Journey, both for Steve Asmussen.
He rode 39 winners in 2022 including two black type races: the Kitten’s Joy Stakes on Gigante and the Laurel Futurity on Congruent. Having ridden 598 British winners and more than 600 in America, he has long since made his home in the United States and looks unlikely to be seen in action in Britain in the foreseeable future.
He rode 39 winners in 2022 including two black type races: the Kitten’s Joy Stakes on Gigante and the Laurel Futurity on Congruent. Having ridden 598 British winners and more than 600 in America, he has long since made his home in the United States and looks unlikely to be seen in action in Britain in the foreseeable future.
Biggest wins
Biggest wins
In Britain:
In Britain:
1996: Ebor Handicap – Clerkenwell
1996: Ebor Handicap – Clerkenwell
2002: July Trophy (Listed) – Jelani
2002: July Trophy (Listed) – Jelani
2003: Dee Stakes (Group 3) – Kris Kin
2003: Dee Stakes (Group 3) – Kris Kin
2004: Duke of York Stakes (Grade 2) – Monsieur Bond
2004: Duke of York Stakes (Grade 2) – Monsieur Bond
2005: Land O’ Burns Stakes (Listed) – Mecca’s Mate
2005: Land O’ Burns Stakes (Listed) – Mecca’s Mate
2008: Spring Trophy Stakes (Listed) – Appalachian Trail
2008: Spring Trophy Stakes (Listed) – Appalachian Trail
2015: Glasgow Stakes (Listed) – Medrano
2015: Glasgow Stakes (Listed) – Medrano
In Ireland:
In Ireland:
2004: Gladness Stakes (Group 3) – Monsieur Bond
2004: Gladness Stakes (Group 3) – Monsieur Bond
2012: Woodlands Stakes (Listed) – Santo Padre
2012: Woodlands Stakes (Listed) – Santo Padre
2012: Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (Grade 3)- Ursa Major
2012: Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (Grade 3)- Ursa Major
In Canada
In Canada
2015: Woodbine Mile (Grade 1) – Mondialiste
2015: Woodbine Mile (Grade 1) – Mondialiste
In America
In America
2017: Federico Tesio Stakes – Twisted Tom
2017: Federico Tesio Stakes – Twisted Tom
2017: Commonwealth Oaks (Grade 3) – Rymska
2017: Commonwealth Oaks (Grade 3) – Rymska
2017: Commonwealth Derby (Grade 3) – Just Howard
2017: Commonwealth Derby (Grade 3) – Just Howard
2018: Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (Grade 3) – Switzerland
2018: Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (Grade 3) – Switzerland
2018: Bald Eagle Derby – Channel Cat
2018: Bald Eagle Derby – Channel Cat
2018: City of Laurel Stakes (Listed) – Majestic Dunhill
2018: City of Laurel Stakes (Listed) – Majestic Dunhill
2019: Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup (Grade 3) – Caribou Club
2019: Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup (Grade 3) – Caribou Club
2021: Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (Grade 3) – Jalen Journey
2021: Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (Grade 3) – Jalen Journey
2022: Kitten’s Joy Stakes – Gigante
2022: Kitten’s Joy Stakes – Gigante
2022: Laurel Futurity – Congruent
2022: Laurel Futurity – Congruent