Ger Lyons
Ger Lyons was born on August 18, 1965. He hailed from a large family, being one of six brothers. His younger brother Shane rode as an amateur for Micky Hammond.
Ger Lyons was born on August 18, 1965. He hailed from a large family, being one of six brothers. His younger brother Shane rode as an amateur for Micky Hammond.
Though born in Dublin, he grew up across the road from trainer Peter McCreery in Clane, Co. Kildare. He began working for McCreery and then, aged 20, headed for America to gain more experience. He spent six months there as a work rider for leading US trainer Carl Nafzger.
Though born in Dublin, he grew up across the road from trainer Peter McCreery in Clane, Co. Kildare. He began working for McCreery and then, aged 20, headed for America to gain more experience. He spent six months there as a work rider for leading US trainer Carl Nafzger.
Ger arrived in Britain in the 1987/88 season. He rode for Jimmy FitzGerald, Jonjo O’Neill and Mick Easterby among others and enjoyed his best season in 1988/89 with 18 wins.
Ger arrived in Britain in the 1987/88 season. He rode for Jimmy FitzGerald, Jonjo O’Neill and Mick Easterby among others and enjoyed his best season in 1988/89 with 18 wins.
He suffered a serious injury the following season when veteran chaser Monanore took a last fence fall at Newcastle on January 13, 1990. It left him with a badly fractured right femur, a broken shoulder and a punctured lung. The leg injury caused him the most problems. A steel rod was inserted running through his thigh-bone and the injury required two operations.
He suffered a serious injury the following season when veteran chaser Monanore took a last fence fall at Newcastle on January 13, 1990. It left him with a badly fractured right femur, a broken shoulder and a punctured lung. The leg injury caused him the most problems. A steel rod was inserted running through his thigh-bone and the injury required two operations.
He returned in February 1991 after a 13-month spell on the sidelines, in time to partner Harley in that year’s Grand National, finishing twelfth. He regarded that as the highlight of his riding career.
He returned in February 1991 after a 13-month spell on the sidelines, in time to partner Harley in that year’s Grand National, finishing twelfth. He regarded that as the highlight of his riding career.
Sadly, the legacy of the leg injury prompted a premature end to that career. It had never properly healed and when he rode in that 1991 Grand National he was effectively riding with a broken leg. The steel rod was all that was keeping it together.
Sadly, the legacy of the leg injury prompted a premature end to that career. It had never properly healed and when he rode in that 1991 Grand National he was effectively riding with a broken leg. The steel rod was all that was keeping it together.
In addition to the problems with the leg injury, Ger struggled to get rides after being out for so long. He’d had only two mounts all season when announcing his retirement in October 1991, aged 26. He’d ridden a total of 45 winners including one in Ireland.
In addition to the problems with the leg injury, Ger struggled to get rides after being out for so long. He’d had only two mounts all season when announcing his retirement in October 1991, aged 26. He’d ridden a total of 45 winners including one in Ireland.
He married Lynne in 1992 and returned to Ireland to train horses at Glenburnie Stables in Co. Meath. He has since trained successfully for 25 years. There have been many winners along the way, the highlight so far being Lightening Pearl’s victory in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes in 2011.
He married Lynne in 1992 and returned to Ireland to train horses at Glenburnie Stables in Co. Meath. He has since trained successfully for 25 years. There have been many winners along the way, the highlight so far being Lightening Pearl’s victory in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes in 2011.
His other big wins as a trainer include:
His other big wins as a trainer include:
Elletelle (2007 Gr2 Queen Mary Stakes), Summit Surge (2008 Gr3 Ballycorus Stakes, 2009 Gr3 Amethyst Stakes), Love Lockdown (2009 Gr3 Sirenia Stakes), Berg Bahn (2010 Gr3 Brownstown Stakes), Future Generation (2011 Gr3 Desmond Stakes), Exogenesis (2013 Gr3 Tyros Stakes), Brendan Bracken (2013 Gr3 Solonoway Stakes), Lily’s Angel (2013 Gr3 Chartwell Stakes), Ainippe (2015 Gr3 Ballyogan Stakes, Gr3 Brownstown Stakes), Bear Cheek (2015 Gr3 Curragh Stakes), Convergence (2015 Ballycorus Stakes), Ardhoomey (2016 Gr2 Flying Five Stakes), Medicine Jack (2016 Gr2 Railway Stakes), Queen Catrine (2016 Gr3 Brownstown Stakes), Treasuring (2017 Gr3 Curragh Stakes), Psychedelic Funk (2017 Gr 3 Concorde Stakes, 2018 Gr3 Gladness Stakes), Who’s Steph (2018 Gr3 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes), Lightning Quick (2018 Gr3 Athasi Stakes).
Elletelle (2007 Gr2 Queen Mary Stakes), Summit Surge (2008 Gr3 Ballycorus Stakes, 2009 Gr3 Amethyst Stakes), Love Lockdown (2009 Gr3 Sirenia Stakes), Berg Bahn (2010 Gr3 Brownstown Stakes), Future Generation (2011 Gr3 Desmond Stakes), Exogenesis (2013 Gr3 Tyros Stakes), Brendan Bracken (2013 Gr3 Solonoway Stakes), Lily’s Angel (2013 Gr3 Chartwell Stakes), Ainippe (2015 Gr3 Ballyogan Stakes, Gr3 Brownstown Stakes), Bear Cheek (2015 Gr3 Curragh Stakes), Convergence (2015 Ballycorus Stakes), Ardhoomey (2016 Gr2 Flying Five Stakes), Medicine Jack (2016 Gr2 Railway Stakes), Queen Catrine (2016 Gr3 Brownstown Stakes), Treasuring (2017 Gr3 Curragh Stakes), Psychedelic Funk (2017 Gr 3 Concorde Stakes, 2018 Gr3 Gladness Stakes), Who’s Steph (2018 Gr3 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes), Lightning Quick (2018 Gr3 Athasi Stakes).