Danny Maher
(1881- 1916)
(1881- 1916)
Born on 29th October 1881 in Hartford, Connecticut, Danny Aloysius Maher quickly made an impact on the American racing scene, becoming Champion Jockey in just three years. However, because of an anti-gambling sentiment, Maher and several other jockeys left for Europe. Of slight physique but rather tall for a jockey, Maher had long limbs – so reminiscent of Fred Archer – and became the most successful of these, twice winning the Jockeys’ Title and all the Classics (he won the Derby three times).
Born on 29th October 1881 in Hartford, Connecticut, Danny Aloysius Maher quickly made an impact on the American racing scene, becoming Champion Jockey in just three years. However, because of an anti-gambling sentiment, Maher and several other jockeys left for Europe. Of slight physique but rather tall for a jockey, Maher had long limbs – so reminiscent of Fred Archer – and became the most successful of these, twice winning the Jockeys’ Title and all the Classics (he won the Derby three times).
He also won the Eclipse five times, the Gimcrack, the Ascot Gold Cup (twice) and the Champion Stakes among a host of other big races. W.H.Clark engaged him in 1899 for two years. Maher rode Clark’s Banastar that year, but when that horse was subsequently left at the post in the Suburban Handicap, the irate owner refused to use him any more – in addition, he refused him leave to ride for anyone else either. Maher only secured Clark’s permission to ride again by handing back the contract.
He also won the Eclipse five times, the Gimcrack, the Ascot Gold Cup (twice) and the Champion Stakes among a host of other big races. W.H.Clark engaged him in 1899 for two years. Maher rode Clark’s Banastar that year, but when that horse was subsequently left at the post in the Suburban Handicap, the irate owner refused to use him any more – in addition, he refused him leave to ride for anyone else either. Maher only secured Clark’s permission to ride again by handing back the contract.
Maher, a heavy smoker, was paid an annual retainer of £5,000 to ride the horses of Edward Vll. In 1913 he applied for British citizenship. In total he amassed 1,421 wins from 5,684 rides. His charm and intelligence matched his riding ability and he was greatly liked and admired by many.
Maher, a heavy smoker, was paid an annual retainer of £5,000 to ride the horses of Edward Vll. In 1913 he applied for British citizenship. In total he amassed 1,421 wins from 5,684 rides. His charm and intelligence matched his riding ability and he was greatly liked and admired by many.
On April 27th he married Miss Dorothy Fraser at St George’s Church, Hanover Square. Lord Rosebery, for whom Maher was the leading jockey for some years was present and signed the register. He gave the bride a diamond and sapphire pendant.
On April 27th he married Miss Dorothy Fraser at St George’s Church, Hanover Square. Lord Rosebery, for whom Maher was the leading jockey for some years was present and signed the register. He gave the bride a diamond and sapphire pendant.
Maher was injured in a car crash in July 1903 receiving injuries that incapacitated him for a fortnight. He spent the winter of 1903 with his family at Hartford Conn having already made plans to return to England the next Spring.
Maher was injured in a car crash in July 1903 receiving injuries that incapacitated him for a fortnight. He spent the winter of 1903 with his family at Hartford Conn having already made plans to return to England the next Spring.
His decision in 1906 to become a racing car driver caused a distinct stir both in automobile and turf circles. He bought a Thomas ‘Flyer’ and announced that he would soon enter the big track and road events. ‘The can all laugh at me if they want to, but the laugh may be the other way some of these days’ Maher said. ‘I know little about this kind of racing, but there are only three things necessary…knowledge of your machine, nerve and experience.'
His decision in 1906 to become a racing car driver caused a distinct stir both in automobile and turf circles. He bought a Thomas ‘Flyer’ and announced that he would soon enter the big track and road events. ‘The can all laugh at me if they want to, but the laugh may be the other way some of these days’ Maher said. ‘I know little about this kind of racing, but there are only three things necessary…knowledge of your machine, nerve and experience.'
On December 5, 1908, Danny won his only race over hurdles when Dafila, owned by Herbert Hartigan and trained by Frank Hartigan, won the Staines Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park by an "easy" two lengths. His rival jockeys that day included six-time champion 'Tich' Mason, Paddy Cowley, Fred Dainty and Spink Walkington.
On December 5, 1908, Danny won his only race over hurdles when Dafila, owned by Herbert Hartigan and trained by Frank Hartigan, won the Staines Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park by an "easy" two lengths. His rival jockeys that day included six-time champion 'Tich' Mason, Paddy Cowley, Fred Dainty and Spink Walkington.
In September 1909. Maher rode the last ever two winners at the now-defunct Hull racecourse. Maher had been very ill during the winter and it was decided to spend the honeymoon in Scotland for the benefit of his health. Intending eventually to live abroad, Maher began to selling his horses, cattle and some of his property at Nottingham. He was, unfortunately, to die young as years of wasting took their toll.
In September 1909. Maher rode the last ever two winners at the now-defunct Hull racecourse. Maher had been very ill during the winter and it was decided to spend the honeymoon in Scotland for the benefit of his health. Intending eventually to live abroad, Maher began to selling his horses, cattle and some of his property at Nottingham. He was, unfortunately, to die young as years of wasting took their toll.
During the winters, Danny was an ardent follower of the hunt – he also enjoyed tobogganing in the Engadine. He would also attend all the big boxing matches.
During the winters, Danny was an ardent follower of the hunt – he also enjoyed tobogganing in the Engadine. He would also attend all the big boxing matches.
He became very sick in 1913 and ceased to ride. Fellow jockeys tried to tempt him back into the saddle with an offer to ride hot favourite Telephone Girl. For reason known only to himself, Danny said he would come back only if he could ride Sun Yat in the race. Sun Yat was a difficult, stubborn animal. That afternoon, Danny got a King's reception and his horse was made the 5/6 favourite. It was unplaced. Dismounting, Danny said 'That's it - they'll never see me again.'
He became very sick in 1913 and ceased to ride. Fellow jockeys tried to tempt him back into the saddle with an offer to ride hot favourite Telephone Girl. For reason known only to himself, Danny said he would come back only if he could ride Sun Yat in the race. Sun Yat was a difficult, stubborn animal. That afternoon, Danny got a King's reception and his horse was made the 5/6 favourite. It was unplaced. Dismounting, Danny said 'That's it - they'll never see me again.'
And they didn't.
And they didn't.
He died of consumption in a London nursing home on the morning of Thursday, November 9th 1916, just 35 years old, and was buried in Paddington Cemetery. Lord Rosebery arranged the funeral.
He died of consumption in a London nursing home on the morning of Thursday, November 9th 1916, just 35 years old, and was buried in Paddington Cemetery. Lord Rosebery arranged the funeral.
Danny lost most of his money when involved in a big hotel in New York in 1913.
Danny lost most of his money when involved in a big hotel in New York in 1913.
Because it was won by a local horse, wild scenes followed Danny’s Derby win on Cicero in 1905. Cicero had been made favourite at 11/4, but there had also been plenty of money for the French colt Jardy. It was neck and neck between the two inside the final furlong: Cicero, responding gamely to his jockey’s urgings and the cheers of the crowd, got up to win by three parts of a length.
Because it was won by a local horse, wild scenes followed Danny’s Derby win on Cicero in 1905. Cicero had been made favourite at 11/4, but there had also been plenty of money for the French colt Jardy. It was neck and neck between the two inside the final furlong: Cicero, responding gamely to his jockey’s urgings and the cheers of the crowd, got up to win by three parts of a length.
Its owner, Lord Rosebery, was thrilled. At university, he had set himself three targets in life: to marry an heiress, to become Prime Minister and to own a horse that would win the Derby. He achieved all three, Cicero being the final leg.
Its owner, Lord Rosebery, was thrilled. At university, he had set himself three targets in life: to marry an heiress, to become Prime Minister and to own a horse that would win the Derby. He achieved all three, Cicero being the final leg.
Using the grounds of Brock’s, the famous firework company, he paid for a stunning display of fireworks which lasted over an hour. Then, on Thursday 22nd June, he also provided a sumptuous meal for all the inmates of Epsom workhouse, situated in Dorking road. There were over 400 inhabitants at the time ranging, in age, from 3 to 92. The workhouse dining hall was draped with the primrose and rose racing colours of Lord Rosebery.
Using the grounds of Brock’s, the famous firework company, he paid for a stunning display of fireworks which lasted over an hour. Then, on Thursday 22nd June, he also provided a sumptuous meal for all the inmates of Epsom workhouse, situated in Dorking road. There were over 400 inhabitants at the time ranging, in age, from 3 to 92. The workhouse dining hall was draped with the primrose and rose racing colours of Lord Rosebery.
The following Thursday Lord Rosebery held a celebration garden party to which all of the working men and their wives were invited, some 3,000 guests in all. Unfortunately, a violent thunderstorm struck and torrential rain drowned the proceedings for over an hour. The Epsom Town Band played heroically on.
The following Thursday Lord Rosebery held a celebration garden party to which all of the working men and their wives were invited, some 3,000 guests in all. Unfortunately, a violent thunderstorm struck and torrential rain drowned the proceedings for over an hour. The Epsom Town Band played heroically on.
Lord Rosebery said his Derby win would be meaningless if it was not shared. Finally, he gave the town a horse trough and drinking fountain engraved with Cicero’s name. It still stands outside the Rubbing House on Epsom Downs at Langley Vale.
Lord Rosebery said his Derby win would be meaningless if it was not shared. Finally, he gave the town a horse trough and drinking fountain engraved with Cicero’s name. It still stands outside the Rubbing House on Epsom Downs at Langley Vale.
With the help and advice of trainer George Lambton, Danny eventually managed to give up smoking.
With the help and advice of trainer George Lambton, Danny eventually managed to give up smoking.
Danny Maher’s classic wins:
Danny Maher’s classic wins:
Two Thousand Guineas: Neil Glow (1910) and Sweeper (1912)
Two Thousand Guineas: Neil Glow (1910) and Sweeper (1912)
One Thousand Guineas: Aida (1901)
One Thousand Guineas: Aida (1901)
The Derby: Rock Sand (1903), Cicero (1905) and Spearmint (1906)
The Derby: Rock Sand (1903), Cicero (1905) and Spearmint (1906)
The Oaks: Keystone (1906)
The Oaks: Keystone (1906)
St Leger: Rock Sand (1903) and Bayardo (1909)
St Leger: Rock Sand (1903) and Bayardo (1909)
His first win came on Phoebus at Providence, Rhode Island, when he was just 14.
His first win came on Phoebus at Providence, Rhode Island, when he was just 14.
