Tommy Lowrey
1911 - 1991
1911 - 1991
The son of a coalminer, Tommy Lowrey was the jockey who rode Airborne to victory in the first post war Epsom Derby.
The son of a coalminer, Tommy Lowrey was the jockey who rode Airborne to victory in the first post war Epsom Derby.
One of only four greys to have won the race, Airborne was trained at the Beaufort House stables of Dick Perryman with whom Tommy had been close friends with since the days when they were both apprentices, learning their trade with Fred. Leader.
One of only four greys to have won the race, Airborne was trained at the Beaufort House stables of Dick Perryman with whom Tommy had been close friends with since the days when they were both apprentices, learning their trade with Fred. Leader.
Airborne and Tommy then went on to win that year's St Leger.
Airborne and Tommy then went on to win that year's St Leger.
Tommy was born at Felling, County Durham, on September 6, 1911, and made his debut riding Dardanella at Newbury: his first winner was Rose Cottage at Lincoln on March 20 1929.
Tommy was born at Felling, County Durham, on September 6, 1911, and made his debut riding Dardanella at Newbury: his first winner was Rose Cottage at Lincoln on March 20 1929.
Classic winners:
Classic winners:
Derby: Airborne (1946)
Derby: Airborne (1946)
St Leger: Chamossaire (1945), Airborne (1946)
St Leger: Chamossaire (1945), Airborne (1946)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1929: Liverpool Autumn Cup – The Mohawk
1929: Liverpool Autumn Cup – The Mohawk
1935: Molecomb Stakes – Crosspatch
1935: Molecomb Stakes – Crosspatch
1937: Jockey Club Stakes – Solfo
1937: Jockey Club Stakes – Solfo
1937: King Edward VII Stakes – Solfo
1937: King Edward VII Stakes – Solfo
1938: Cheveley Park Stakes – Seaway
1938: Cheveley Park Stakes – Seaway
1939: Coronation Stakes – Olein
1939: Coronation Stakes – Olein
1939: July Stakes – colt by Colombo
1939: July Stakes – colt by Colombo
1939: July Cup – Portobello
1939: July Cup – Portobello
1939: Sussex Stakes – Olein
1939: Sussex Stakes – Olein
1339: Goodwood Cup – Dubonnet
1339: Goodwood Cup – Dubonnet
1939: Nassau Stakes – Olein
1939: Nassau Stakes – Olein
1946: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Airborne
1946: Princess of Wales’s Stakes – Airborne
1947: Nassau Stakes – Wild Child
1947: Nassau Stakes – Wild Child
1948: Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Stakes – Gay Street
1948: Warwickshire Breeders’ Foal Stakes – Gay Street
1948: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Companion-Way
1948: Guernsey Stud Produce Stakes – Companion-Way
1949: Manchester Cup – Refresher
1949: Manchester Cup – Refresher
1951: Lowther Stakes – Shard Bridge
1951: Lowther Stakes – Shard Bridge
He also won the 1945 substitute St Leger on Chamossaire.
He also won the 1945 substitute St Leger on Chamossaire.
In total, Tommy rode 508 winners, the last being Florient on June 26, 1954.
In total, Tommy rode 508 winners, the last being Florient on June 26, 1954.
Tommy Lowrey died in Colchester Hospital on January 21, 1991.
Tommy Lowrey died in Colchester Hospital on January 21, 1991.
He was 79.
He was 79.