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Bernard McGarrigle
Bernard McGarrigle
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1959, Bernard Alphonse McGarrigle recorded six wins over jumps, having had his first ride at Fakenham on November 13, 1976, when finishing sixth on 11-year-old Penfort in the Fitzwilliam Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Born in 1959, Bernard Alphonse McGarrigle recorded six wins over jumps, having had his first ride at Fakenham on November 13, 1976, when finishing sixth on 11-year-old Penfort in the Fitzwilliam Selling Handicap Hurdle.
Bernard was associated with the stable of veteran trainer Jack O’Donoghue, who had trained Nickel Coin to win the 1951 Grand National. O’Donoghue gave the young jockey his first win when Posen was all out to beat Southpaw by a head in the Steyning Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell Park on September 19, 1977.
Bernard was associated with the stable of veteran trainer Jack O’Donoghue, who had trained Nickel Coin to win the 1951 Grand National. O’Donoghue gave the young jockey his first win when Posen was all out to beat Southpaw by a head in the Steyning Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell Park on September 19, 1977.
It was nearly a year before he had a second success. It came at Plumpton on September 6, 1978 when Living For Kicks scored a comfortable victory by 12 lengths in the Pease Pottage Novices’ Hurdle. Bernard kept the ride on the Willie Musson-trained four-year-old and, having been placed in three of their next four outings, they scored again back at Plumpton on October 31 in the Autumn Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1), the winning margin this time being 15 lengths. Six days later they finished second at Lingfield but Living For Kicks never ran again.
It was nearly a year before he had a second success. It came at Plumpton on September 6, 1978 when Living For Kicks scored a comfortable victory by 12 lengths in the Pease Pottage Novices’ Hurdle. Bernard kept the ride on the Willie Musson-trained four-year-old and, having been placed in three of their next four outings, they scored again back at Plumpton on October 31 in the Autumn Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1), the winning margin this time being 15 lengths. Six days later they finished second at Lingfield but Living For Kicks never ran again.
Bernard persevered but failed to ride a winner in the next two seasons. It appeared that his luck had finally changed when finishing first on Motivate in the Bull Ring Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Ludlow on February 10, 1982 but Steve Smith Eccles, rider of the runner-up Comedian, lodged an objection and was awarded the race.
Bernard persevered but failed to ride a winner in the next two seasons. It appeared that his luck had finally changed when finishing first on Motivate in the Bull Ring Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Ludlow on February 10, 1982 but Steve Smith Eccles, rider of the runner-up Comedian, lodged an objection and was awarded the race.
There was a better outcome for horse and jockey when they returned to Ludlow on April 2, for this time they beat Duke Of York by eight lengths to land the Longmynd Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1). Motivate was trained by former top amateur rider Gay Kindersley, who was rewarded for keeping the faith with Bernard when the partnership scored again in the Kingstone Novices’ Hurdle at Uttoxeter on May 31, this time by seven lengths.
There was a better outcome for horse and jockey when they returned to Ludlow on April 2, for this time they beat Duke Of York by eight lengths to land the Longmynd Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1). Motivate was trained by former top amateur rider Gay Kindersley, who was rewarded for keeping the faith with Bernard when the partnership scored again in the Kingstone Novices’ Hurdle at Uttoxeter on May 31, this time by seven lengths.
When Touch Set won the Yarner Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 31, beating Mark Richards’ mount Groovy by two lengths, it looked as if Bernard might be in for a good season, but that turned out to be his final victory.
When Touch Set won the Yarner Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on August 31, beating Mark Richards’ mount Groovy by two lengths, it looked as if Bernard might be in for a good season, but that turned out to be his final victory.
His last ride came at Kempton Park on November 18, 1982, when French Carisma fell at the third fence in the Staines Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase. It is not known whether that fall was directly responsible for ending his career in the saddle but he had no more rides.
His last ride came at Kempton Park on November 18, 1982, when French Carisma fell at the third fence in the Staines Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase. It is not known whether that fall was directly responsible for ending his career in the saddle but he had no more rides.
Bernard McGarrigle’s wins were, in chronological order:
Bernard McGarrigle’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Posen, Fontwell Park, September 19, 1977
1. Posen, Fontwell Park, September 19, 1977
2. Living For Kicks, Plumpton, September 6, 1978
2. Living For Kicks, Plumpton, September 6, 1978
3. Living For Kicks, Plumpton, October 31, 1978
3. Living For Kicks, Plumpton, October 31, 1978
4. Motivate, Ludlow, April 2, 1982
4. Motivate, Ludlow, April 2, 1982
5. Motivate, Uttoxeter, May 31, 1982
5. Motivate, Uttoxeter, May 31, 1982
6. Touch Set, Newton Abbot, August 31, 1982
6. Touch Set, Newton Abbot, August 31, 1982
Bernard's final winner: Touch Set, Newton Abbot, August 31, 1982
Bernard's final winner: Touch Set, Newton Abbot, August 31, 1982
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