Chris McCormack
Christopher Francis McCormack was born in 1932 and served his apprenticeship with Cecil Brabazon in his native Ireland from November 1946 to November 1950.
Christopher Francis McCormack was born in 1932 and served his apprenticeship with Cecil Brabazon in his native Ireland from November 1946 to November 1950.
One month before completing his apprenticeship he rode his first winner on the Brabazon-trained Barneys Link, in the Munster National Handicap Chase, at Limerick, on October 5, 1950. Also that year, he married Lillian McMullan. They had one daughter, Maureen.
One month before completing his apprenticeship he rode his first winner on the Brabazon-trained Barneys Link, in the Munster National Handicap Chase, at Limerick, on October 5, 1950. Also that year, he married Lillian McMullan. They had one daughter, Maureen.
He enjoyed his best season numerically in 1953/54 when winning six races. They included a Mullingar handicap hurdle on Bold Baby, whom Chris rated the best he rode during his career. He also won twice on The Iron City, notably the Rank Perpetual Challenge Cup Hurdle, which was then the only race over hurdles at Phoenix Park.
He enjoyed his best season numerically in 1953/54 when winning six races. They included a Mullingar handicap hurdle on Bold Baby, whom Chris rated the best he rode during his career. He also won twice on The Iron City, notably the Rank Perpetual Challenge Cup Hurdle, which was then the only race over hurdles at Phoenix Park.
Having ridden 16 winners in Ireland, Chris crossed the Irish Sea in 1958 and joined the Cadmore End, near High Wycombe stable of Charlie Mallon, who was effectively the licence holder for Ivor Herbert. Chris rode his first two British winners within a week of each other in November 1958 on Mallon’s two stable stars, former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Linwell at Worcester and exciting two-mile chaser Flame Gun at Newbury. He won on Linwell again at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
Having ridden 16 winners in Ireland, Chris crossed the Irish Sea in 1958 and joined the Cadmore End, near High Wycombe stable of Charlie Mallon, who was effectively the licence holder for Ivor Herbert. Chris rode his first two British winners within a week of each other in November 1958 on Mallon’s two stable stars, former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Linwell at Worcester and exciting two-mile chaser Flame Gun at Newbury. He won on Linwell again at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
He rode three winners the following season, all for Mallon, but suffered a broken neck in a fall from novice hurdler Change Over at Hurst Park on January 4, 1961. That fall put his career on hold and he was out of action for more than 18 months.
He rode three winners the following season, all for Mallon, but suffered a broken neck in a fall from novice hurdler Change Over at Hurst Park on January 4, 1961. That fall put his career on hold and he was out of action for more than 18 months.
He returned to riding and joined Alec Kilpatrick’s stable at Collingbourne Ducis, near Marlborough in October 1962. He had his comeback ride on Ballyrankin at Taunton the following month, finishing second, but just over a week later he rode Cinnamon II to win the Uxbridge Handicap Chase at Kempton. Cinnamon II had poached a six or seven length lead over the Ron Vibert-ridden favourite Poivron before turning for home. Cinnamon II was still in command two out but Poivron looked be catching him, only to misjudge the last fence which cost him vital ground. Although Poivron rallied well on the run-in, Cinnamon II held on to win by a length. Later that season, Chris rode Cinnamon II in the 1963 Topham Trophy over Aintree’s Grand National fences but failed to complete the course.
He returned to riding and joined Alec Kilpatrick’s stable at Collingbourne Ducis, near Marlborough in October 1962. He had his comeback ride on Ballyrankin at Taunton the following month, finishing second, but just over a week later he rode Cinnamon II to win the Uxbridge Handicap Chase at Kempton. Cinnamon II had poached a six or seven length lead over the Ron Vibert-ridden favourite Poivron before turning for home. Cinnamon II was still in command two out but Poivron looked be catching him, only to misjudge the last fence which cost him vital ground. Although Poivron rallied well on the run-in, Cinnamon II held on to win by a length. Later that season, Chris rode Cinnamon II in the 1963 Topham Trophy over Aintree’s Grand National fences but failed to complete the course.
Chris rode just one more winner, on Kilpatrick’s novice chaser Larrikus at Wincanton on August 24, 1963. It was his 25th in all and he thereby lost the right to claim an allowance. He retired at the end of that season.
Chris rode just one more winner, on Kilpatrick’s novice chaser Larrikus at Wincanton on August 24, 1963. It was his 25th in all and he thereby lost the right to claim an allowance. He retired at the end of that season.
He listed his interests as building, reading, darts, shooting, fishing and hunting, so he had plenty to keep him occupied. Given the first of those interests, he may be that he went into the building trade.
He listed his interests as building, reading, darts, shooting, fishing and hunting, so he had plenty to keep him occupied. Given the first of those interests, he may be that he went into the building trade.
As Chris had won races on both Linwell and Flame Gun, it is perhaps surprising that he nominated Bold Baby as the best he rode during his career but, according to the 1963 edition of the Directory of the Turf, that was his choice.
As Chris had won races on both Linwell and Flame Gun, it is perhaps surprising that he nominated Bold Baby as the best he rode during his career but, according to the 1963 edition of the Directory of the Turf, that was his choice.
He died in Kildare on January 14, 2014, aged 82.
He died in Kildare on January 14, 2014, aged 82.
Chris McCormack’s nine British winners were, in chronological order:
Chris McCormack’s nine British winners were, in chronological order:
Linwell, Worcester, November 22, 1958
Linwell, Worcester, November 22, 1958
Flame Gun, Newbury, November 29, 1958
Flame Gun, Newbury, November 29, 1958
Linwell, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1958
Linwell, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1958
Mustang Flame, Ludlow, April 22, 1959
Mustang Flame, Ludlow, April 22, 1959
Magical Way, Warwick, February 27, 1960
Magical Way, Warwick, February 27, 1960
K.E., Hurst Park, March 11, 1960
K.E., Hurst Park, March 11, 1960
Soltown, Fontwell Park, May 4, 1960
Soltown, Fontwell Park, May 4, 1960
Cinnamon II, Kempton Park, November 21, 1962
Cinnamon II, Kempton Park, November 21, 1962
Larrikus, Wincanton, August 28, 1963
Larrikus, Wincanton, August 28, 1963
