Chris Mulligan
Chris Mulligan
Chris Mulligan
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Following a brief, unsuccessful, career on the Flat in the early 1930s, Chris Mulligan fared rather better over jumps with four wins.
Following a brief, unsuccessful, career on the Flat in the early 1930s, Chris Mulligan fared rather better over jumps with four wins.
Apprenticed to trainer John Beary, Chris had his first ride in the Manton Plate at Newbury on April 9, 1932, finishing unplaced in a field of 31 on Millvale, owned by Mrs Beary.
Apprenticed to trainer John Beary, Chris had his first ride in the Manton Plate at Newbury on April 9, 1932, finishing unplaced in a field of 31 on Millvale, owned by Mrs Beary.
He had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Gatwick on December 5, 1934, when Bland was unplaced in the 15-runner Timberham Maiden Hurdle. Just over a year later he had his first win when securing victory on Free Postage by six lengths in the Beginners’ Hurdle at Plumpton on December 9, 1935, beating Adiante, ridden by Cyril Adams.
He had his first ride under National Hunt rules at Gatwick on December 5, 1934, when Bland was unplaced in the 15-runner Timberham Maiden Hurdle. Just over a year later he had his first win when securing victory on Free Postage by six lengths in the Beginners’ Hurdle at Plumpton on December 9, 1935, beating Adiante, ridden by Cyril Adams.
The ‘Beginners’ element in the race’s title referred to the riders, rather than the horses, as it was confined to jockeys who had never ridden a winner under the Rules of Racing. Of the dozen riders involved that day, only John Dowling, who finished seventh, and Andrew Jarvis, who rode one of the four fallers, had much success thereafter, while poor John Hyde was to die following a fall at Wolverhampton in December 1952.
The ‘Beginners’ element in the race’s title referred to the riders, rather than the horses, as it was confined to jockeys who had never ridden a winner under the Rules of Racing. Of the dozen riders involved that day, only John Dowling, who finished seventh, and Andrew Jarvis, who rode one of the four fallers, had much success thereafter, while poor John Hyde was to die following a fall at Wolverhampton in December 1952.
Lewes-based trainer George Poole trained Free Postage and he allowed Chris to keep the ride. Following an unplaced effort at Gatwick and a third place finish at Hawthorn Hill, the combination struck again to land the Waldershare Moderate Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on May 6, 1936. This time the winning margin over Capricho, the mount of Bert Haley, was only half a length.
Lewes-based trainer George Poole trained Free Postage and he allowed Chris to keep the ride. Following an unplaced effort at Gatwick and a third place finish at Hawthorn Hill, the combination struck again to land the Waldershare Moderate Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on May 6, 1936. This time the winning margin over Capricho, the mount of Bert Haley, was only half a length.
John Beary provided Chris with both his winners the following season. First came three-year-old Buena Esperanza in the Tetbury Selling Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 29, beating Cheery Tree, the mount of Tommy Elder, by three lengths. The two stone the winner was receiving from the runner-up may have helped his cause.
John Beary provided Chris with both his winners the following season. First came three-year-old Buena Esperanza in the Tetbury Selling Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 29, beating Cheery Tree, the mount of Tommy Elder, by three lengths. The two stone the winner was receiving from the runner-up may have helped his cause.
Then, at Lingfield Park on February 13, 1937, Chris had his final win when the five-year-old mare Mrs Grundy landed the Sussex Selling Handicap Hurdle by a length and a half.
Then, at Lingfield Park on February 13, 1937, Chris had his final win when the five-year-old mare Mrs Grundy landed the Sussex Selling Handicap Hurdle by a length and a half.
Both of Chris’s winners changed owners following their selling hurdle victories and he had no further chance to shine on them. His final ride, Say Nowt, finished third in the Penn Handicap Hurdle at Wolverhampton on March 14, 1938.
Both of Chris’s winners changed owners following their selling hurdle victories and he had no further chance to shine on them. His final ride, Say Nowt, finished third in the Penn Handicap Hurdle at Wolverhampton on March 14, 1938.
Chris's first win