Frank Morgan
Born in County Waterford, Frank Morgan was one of a famous family of horsemen, closely related to the Widgers, Hurleys and Murphys. Frank was one of sixteen cousins riding at one time, of whom no less than eight were Morgans.
Born in County Waterford, Frank Morgan was one of a famous family of horsemen, closely related to the Widgers, Hurleys and Murphys. Frank was one of sixteen cousins riding at one time, of whom no less than eight were Morgans.
Frank was initially apprenticed to T. J. Widger before his indentures were transferred to Senator J. J. Parkinson. He rode his first winner when weighing only 5st 12lb. After two years he moved again, finishing his apprenticeship with Michael Dawson and becoming first jockey to James Daly.
Frank was initially apprenticed to T. J. Widger before his indentures were transferred to Senator J. J. Parkinson. He rode his first winner when weighing only 5st 12lb. After two years he moved again, finishing his apprenticeship with Michael Dawson and becoming first jockey to James Daly.
He was still an apprentice when winning the 1904 Irish Derby on 5-2 favourite Royal Arch, owned by James Daly and trained by Michael Dawson.
He was still an apprentice when winning the 1904 Irish Derby on 5-2 favourite Royal Arch, owned by James Daly and trained by Michael Dawson.
Destined by nature to become too heavy for the Flat, he soon switched successfully to riding over obstacles. He rode numerous winners before going to ride in England, where his services were in considerable demand.
Destined by nature to become too heavy for the Flat, he soon switched successfully to riding over obstacles. He rode numerous winners before going to ride in England, where his services were in considerable demand.
He returned to Ireland just before World War One and joined the Clonsilla stable of Mr Arnott, which then sheltered the biggest string of jumpers in the country. On March 12, 1914, at Downpatrick, he won all five races on the card: the Ulster Chase on Corriemony, the Lecale Handicap Chase on Silver Dart, the Belfast Chase on Tantetantee, the Iveagh Chase on Nando, and the County Down Hunts’ Cup Chase on Roy’s Daughter. In those days, five races was the norm for such minor steeplechase meetings, rather than a six-race cards at the bigger fixtures.
He returned to Ireland just before World War One and joined the Clonsilla stable of Mr Arnott, which then sheltered the biggest string of jumpers in the country. On March 12, 1914, at Downpatrick, he won all five races on the card: the Ulster Chase on Corriemony, the Lecale Handicap Chase on Silver Dart, the Belfast Chase on Tantetantee, the Iveagh Chase on Nando, and the County Down Hunts’ Cup Chase on Roy’s Daughter. In those days, five races was the norm for such minor steeplechase meetings, rather than a six-race cards at the bigger fixtures.
Frank became champion jockey of Ireland under both codes in 1917. He then turned his attention to training, based at the Curragh, while continuing to ride in races. He achieved his first major success in that dual role when training and riding Clonree to win the 1920 Galway Plate.
Frank became champion jockey of Ireland under both codes in 1917. He then turned his attention to training, based at the Curragh, while continuing to ride in races. He achieved his first major success in that dual role when training and riding Clonree to win the 1920 Galway Plate.
He saddled Ballinode, a fast but chancy jumper, otherwise known as ‘the Sligo mare’, to win Liverpool’s Grand Sefton Chase in 1924. The following year he sent Ballinode back to England to win the second-ever running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, ridden by Ted Leader.
He saddled Ballinode, a fast but chancy jumper, otherwise known as ‘the Sligo mare’, to win Liverpool’s Grand Sefton Chase in 1924. The following year he sent Ballinode back to England to win the second-ever running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, ridden by Ted Leader.
He eventually moved to England and trained at Felstead, Surrey.
He eventually moved to England and trained at Felstead, Surrey.
Frank Morgan died in 1970.
Frank Morgan died in 1970.
Frank Morgan in 1910
Frank Morgan in 1910