John Lenehan
John Lenehan
John Lenehan
John Michael Lenehan was the son of Irish jump jockey and trainer Jimmy Lenehan. He was a successful apprentice in Ireland during the early 1960s. His victories included the Curragh’s Brownstown Plate on Foot Note in 1961. The best horse he rode was the two-year-old filly Fair Astronomer, trained by his father, winning twice on her at Leopardstown in 1962.
John Michael Lenehan was the son of Irish jump jockey and trainer Jimmy Lenehan. He was a successful apprentice in Ireland during the early 1960s. His victories included the Curragh’s Brownstown Plate on Foot Note in 1961. The best horse he rode was the two-year-old filly Fair Astronomer, trained by his father, winning twice on her at Leopardstown in 1962.
He rode another of his father’s horses, Stor Bierte, in the 1963 Irish One Thousand Guineas. However, by that time he was struggling with his weight, as evidenced by having to put up 7lb overweight to ride at 8st 8lb in a race at Leopardstown. His future lay over jumps and he began riding in hurdle races in the 1963/64 season. He crossed the Irish Sea and joined Worcestershire trainer Fred Rimell as second stable jockey behind Terry Biddlecombe in time for the start of the 1965/66 campaign.
He rode another of his father’s horses, Stor Bierte, in the 1963 Irish One Thousand Guineas. However, by that time he was struggling with his weight, as evidenced by having to put up 7lb overweight to ride at 8st 8lb in a race at Leopardstown. His future lay over jumps and he began riding in hurdle races in the 1963/64 season. He crossed the Irish Sea and joined Worcestershire trainer Fred Rimell as second stable jockey behind Terry Biddlecombe in time for the start of the 1965/66 campaign.
He rode his first British winner on Rimell’s 14-year-old Quick Approach in the East Devon Chase at Newton Abbot on August 28, 1965, beating Finest Hour II, ridden by future trainer John Webber, father of Anthony and Paul Webber, by four lengths.
He rode his first British winner on Rimell’s 14-year-old Quick Approach in the East Devon Chase at Newton Abbot on August 28, 1965, beating Finest Hour II, ridden by future trainer John Webber, father of Anthony and Paul Webber, by four lengths.
The four-year-old Buchan Loon was John’s second Rimell-trained winner, taking the Redbrook Handicap Hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee on September 25, winning by 10 lengths from Shrimp’s Last, the mount of Jimmy Morrissey. His only other winner that season was on the (by then) 15-year-old Quick Approach in the Kenton Chase at Devon & Exeter on May 7, 1966.
The four-year-old Buchan Loon was John’s second Rimell-trained winner, taking the Redbrook Handicap Hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee on September 25, winning by 10 lengths from Shrimp’s Last, the mount of Jimmy Morrissey. His only other winner that season was on the (by then) 15-year-old Quick Approach in the Kenton Chase at Devon & Exeter on May 7, 1966.
John had 52 mounts during the 1966/67 campaign but again rode just three winners, all of them on Scotch Oats, who was making his debut for Rimell when winning the Sabrina Novices’ Chase at Worcester on November 26, beating Jimmy Morrissey on Camlad by four lengths. The partnership triumphed again on January 14, 1967, winning the Rugby Handicap Chase at Leicester by four lengths from Ron Vibert’s mount Ski Boot.
John had 52 mounts during the 1966/67 campaign but again rode just three winners, all of them on Scotch Oats, who was making his debut for Rimell when winning the Sabrina Novices’ Chase at Worcester on November 26, beating Jimmy Morrissey on Camlad by four lengths. The partnership triumphed again on January 14, 1967, winning the Rugby Handicap Chase at Leicester by four lengths from Ron Vibert’s mount Ski Boot.
Five days later, the hat trick was completed with victory in the John Bull Handicap Chase at Wincanton, this time recording a five-length success over War Lace, ridden by Bruce Gregory.
Five days later, the hat trick was completed with victory in the John Bull Handicap Chase at Wincanton, this time recording a five-length success over War Lace, ridden by Bruce Gregory.
Whether it was frustration over the lack of opportunities in playing a secondary role to Terry Biddlecombe is not known, but John Lenehan relinquished his licence during the following season and returned to Ireland to continue his career.
Whether it was frustration over the lack of opportunities in playing a secondary role to Terry Biddlecombe is not known, but John Lenehan relinquished his licence during the following season and returned to Ireland to continue his career.
John Lenehan’s British winners were:
John Lenehan’s British winners were:
1. Quick Approach, Newton Abbot, August 28, 1965
1. Quick Approach, Newton Abbot, August 28, 1965
2. Buchan Loon, Bangor-on-Dee, September 25, 1965
2. Buchan Loon, Bangor-on-Dee, September 25, 1965
3. Quick Approach, Devon & Exeter, May 7, 1966
3. Quick Approach, Devon & Exeter, May 7, 1966
4. Scotch Oats, Worcester, November 26, 1966
4. Scotch Oats, Worcester, November 26, 1966
5. Scotch Oats, Leicester, January 14, 1967
5. Scotch Oats, Leicester, January 14, 1967
6. Scotch Oats, Wincanton, January 19, 1967
6. Scotch Oats, Wincanton, January 19, 1967