Bernard Merriman

Bernard Merriman

Article by Alan Trout

Bernard Merriman was an Irish jockey who had ridden two winners on home soil in the 1951/52 season before venturing to England and having one winner and a third from four rides, three of them at Carlisle’s 1952 Easter fixture. 

His first success had been on Royal Honor, trained by Anthony Bryce-Smith and owned by his wife, in the Donaghmore Novice Chase at Navan on August 22, 1951. His second was on Jib for the same owner and trainer in the Merion Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 1 later that year. 

He won on his first ride in England when Cherrymount II, again trained by Bryce-Smith for his wife, beat four rivals to land the £102 to the winner Troutbeck Handicap Chase at Carlisle on Saturday, April 12, 1952. The 12-year-old had run seven times in Ireland that season and been placed in three, all with Bernard in the saddle. Now they beat Bruno II, the mount of Lex Kelly, by three lengths. 

Later on the same card, Bernard rode Royal Honor in the Lonsdale Handicap Chase. The horse refused. Reunited with Cherrymount II two days later at the same course, they trailed home last of four finishers in the Southwaite Handicap Chase. 

Both horse and jockey then returned to Ireland, where Bernard had the occasional winner, including Gallant Gale in the Newbrook Handicap Chase at Mullingar on February 12, 1955 and Whispering Jack in the Clara Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan on August 30, 1955. He rode 20-1 chance Gallant Gale in the 1953 Irish Grand National but was among the fallers. 

He held as a British National Hunt jockey’s licence for one season, 1961/62, but failed to ride a winner. The nearest he came was when finishing third on Bright Feather in the Exmoor Handicap Hurdle at Taunton on November 4, 1961.