Bill McLernon
Born in Ireland on August 1, 1934, William Anthony (Bill) McLernon was a leading amateur rider during the 1950s and 1960s. A farmer, whose recreations included show jumping and hunting, he operated from Spangle Hill House in Cork.
Born in Ireland on August 1, 1934, William Anthony (Bill) McLernon was a leading amateur rider during the 1950s and 1960s. A farmer, whose recreations included show jumping and hunting, he operated from Spangle Hill House in Cork.
He rode his first winner on All Shell in the Cashel Handicap Chase at Thurles on February 14, 1950.
He rode his first winner on All Shell in the Cashel Handicap Chase at Thurles on February 14, 1950.
He enjoyed his best year in 1959 when booting home a dozen winners. They included three at the two-day Easter meeting at Mallow, registering a double on hunter chaser Ballyrory and handicap chaser Arctic Ring on the Saturday, then winning again on Arctic Ring on the Monday.
He enjoyed his best year in 1959 when booting home a dozen winners. They included three at the two-day Easter meeting at Mallow, registering a double on hunter chaser Ballyrory and handicap chaser Arctic Ring on the Saturday, then winning again on Arctic Ring on the Monday.
Bill was a fine rider around Aintree. He rode in four Grand Nationals during the 1960s, completing the course on three consecutive occasions, finishing thirteenth on Carraroe in 1963, eighth on Baxier in 1964, and tenth on Brown Diamond in 1965. He would almost certainly have got round on his final attempt on the grey Forecastle in 1968 but for being badly balked four fences from home and being forced to pull up.
Bill was a fine rider around Aintree. He rode in four Grand Nationals during the 1960s, completing the course on three consecutive occasions, finishing thirteenth on Carraroe in 1963, eighth on Baxier in 1964, and tenth on Brown Diamond in 1965. He would almost certainly have got round on his final attempt on the grey Forecastle in 1968 but for being badly balked four fences from home and being forced to pull up.
Ironically, his sole ride in the Mildmay Chase, which was then run over smaller versions of the Grand National fences, on Mrs Miles Valentine’s Vulgamenco in 1965, ended in a fall at the second last fence. Put back over smaller obstacles, Vulgamenco won his next two starts, both in hurdle races, with Tommy Carberry in the saddle.
Ironically, his sole ride in the Mildmay Chase, which was then run over smaller versions of the Grand National fences, on Mrs Miles Valentine’s Vulgamenco in 1965, ended in a fall at the second last fence. Put back over smaller obstacles, Vulgamenco won his next two starts, both in hurdle races, with Tommy Carberry in the saddle.