Chris McSharry

Chris McSharry

Article by Alan Trout

Christopher McSharry had nine wins over jumps in the early part of the 1980s. He was a conditional jockey with Kevin Morgan and finished unplaced on his first ride when Gordon’s Lad was beaten a long way in the Althrey Handicap Hurdle at Bangor-on-Dee on March 24, 1979. 

Just under two years later came his first success when The Harnser, trained by Kevin Morgan, registered a comfortable victory in the Border Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Ludlow, taking the lead at the last flight and coming home eight lengths clear. 

He made a promising start to the following season, winning two races in three days on Lynwood Lady, owned and trained by Mrs Kate Bull. He ended the campaign with four wins and equalled that in 1982/83.

Hs final win came at Southwell on December 16, 1982, when Saint Geran, making his seasonal debut, ran on strongly to take the Christmas Party Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Hurdle by two lengths. 

He had his last ride when finishing second on Solaire Prince, beaten six lengths, in the Cumersdale Conditional Jockey’s Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle on April 21, 1984.

Chris McSharry’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. The Harnser, Ludlow, March 5, 1981

2. Lynwood Lady, Carlisle,  September 15, 1981

3. Lynwood Lady, Uttoxeter, September 17, 1981

4. Pulham Venture, Market Rasen, October 16, 1981

5. Pulham Venture, Hereford, April 6, 1982

6. Ceremonious, Market Rasen, September 25, 1982

7. Ceremonious, Carlisle, September 27, 1982

8. Rukotso, Leicester, November 26, 1982

9. Saint Geran, Southwell, December 16, 1982