Frank McMahon
Frank & So Long Boy
Frank & So Long Boy
Francis (Frank) McMahon was a successful Irish apprentice on the Flat. He tried his luck over jumps in England but rode only a half a dozen winners.
Francis (Frank) McMahon was a successful Irish apprentice on the Flat. He tried his luck over jumps in England but rode only a half a dozen winners.
Frank gained one of his early successes on a horse named Short Hairs in a Curragh apprentices’ maiden race on September 1, 1951. The following month he came within a neck of a big race triumph when finishing second on Courtown in the Irish Cambridgeshire.
Frank gained one of his early successes on a horse named Short Hairs in a Curragh apprentices’ maiden race on September 1, 1951. The following month he came within a neck of a big race triumph when finishing second on Courtown in the Irish Cambridgeshire.
In 1952 he rode several winners for ‘Ginger’ Wellesley, including Dawn Beauty in the Rathgar Handicap at Phoenix Park.
In 1952 he rode several winners for ‘Ginger’ Wellesley, including Dawn Beauty in the Rathgar Handicap at Phoenix Park.
He rode a total of 13 winners in Ireland before eventually coming to Britain and riding over hurdles for Bob Ward’s Hednesford,
He rode a total of 13 winners in Ireland before eventually coming to Britain and riding over hurdles for Bob Ward’s Hednesford,
Staffordshire stable, registering his first such success on Velasquez II at Wolverhampton on November 26, 1957.
Staffordshire stable, registering his first such success on Velasquez II at Wolverhampton on November 26, 1957.
His last winning ride was on Ward’s four-year-old Surcharge at Catterick on February 16, 1962. He held a licence for the 1962/63 season but rode no more winners.
His last winning ride was on Ward’s four-year-old Surcharge at Catterick on February 16, 1962. He held a licence for the 1962/63 season but rode no more winners.
He joined Reg Hollinshead Upper London stable in the late 1960s and looked after a number of good horses. He was also a mentor to many leading apprentices who graduated from the famed Hollinshead apprentice academy.
He joined Reg Hollinshead Upper London stable in the late 1960s and looked after a number of good horses. He was also a mentor to many leading apprentices who graduated from the famed Hollinshead apprentice academy.
In 2002 Frank’s long career was recognised by a race being named after him at Warwick (the ‘Frank McMahon A Lifetime in Racing Maiden Stakes’.
In 2002 Frank’s long career was recognised by a race being named after him at Warwick (the ‘Frank McMahon A Lifetime in Racing Maiden Stakes’.
Frank McMahon’s British jumps winners were, in chronological order
Frank McMahon’s British jumps winners were, in chronological order
1, Velasquez II, Wolverhampton, November 26, 1957
1, Velasquez II, Wolverhampton, November 26, 1957
2. Velasquez II, Warwick, January 11, 1958
2. Velasquez II, Warwick, January 11, 1958
3. So Long Boy, Stratford-on-Avon, September 6, 1958
3. So Long Boy, Stratford-on-Avon, September 6, 1958
4. King Fulmar, Uttoxeter, November 16, 1961
4. King Fulmar, Uttoxeter, November 16, 1961
5. Surcharge, Market Rasen, January 27, 1962
5. Surcharge, Market Rasen, January 27, 1962
6. Surcharge, Catterick Bridge, February 16, 1962
6. Surcharge, Catterick Bridge, February 16, 1962
Bob Ward, Frank McMahon, Tony Shrive & Joe Fierro
Bob Ward, Frank McMahon, Tony Shrive & Joe Fierro