Gerry Madden
1931 - 1987
1931 - 1987
National Hunt jockey Peter Gerald Madden – he was known by his second name – was born in Galway on July 22, 1931. He was apprenticed to Willie O’Grady in Tipperary, and rode his first winner on the O’Grady-trained Bimlock in the Garryowen Handicap Hurdle at Limerick on May 8, 1952.
National Hunt jockey Peter Gerald Madden – he was known by his second name – was born in Galway on July 22, 1931. He was apprenticed to Willie O’Grady in Tipperary, and rode his first winner on the O’Grady-trained Bimlock in the Garryowen Handicap Hurdle at Limerick on May 8, 1952.
He came to England later that year and went on to become stable jockey to Fulke Walwyn from 1957 to 1961. During that time he rode the great chaser Mandarin, the horse with whom he will forever be associated. He rode Mandarin every day in his work and partnered him to victory in the 1957 Hennessy Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase in both 1957 and 1959. He also finished second on Mandarin in each of the first three runnings of Whitbread Gold Cup, in 1957/58/59.
He came to England later that year and went on to become stable jockey to Fulke Walwyn from 1957 to 1961. During that time he rode the great chaser Mandarin, the horse with whom he will forever be associated. He rode Mandarin every day in his work and partnered him to victory in the 1957 Hennessy Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase in both 1957 and 1959. He also finished second on Mandarin in each of the first three runnings of Whitbread Gold Cup, in 1957/58/59.
He finished fourth on Tea Fiend in the 1960 Grand National. His only other Grand National mount was on Wily Oriental in 1961, falling at the seventh fence.
He finished fourth on Tea Fiend in the 1960 Grand National. His only other Grand National mount was on Wily Oriental in 1961, falling at the seventh fence.
He enjoyed his best season in 1958/59 with 26 winners. However, his tallies dropped in the early 1960s when he was no longer Fulke Walwyn’s number one rider. He rode his last two winners in the spring of 1964, both for owner-trainer Peter Chesmore. They were handicap hurdler Ten Pins at Stratford on April 2 and selling hurdler Comanche at Southwell on May 16, 1964.
He enjoyed his best season in 1958/59 with 26 winners. However, his tallies dropped in the early 1960s when he was no longer Fulke Walwyn’s number one rider. He rode his last two winners in the spring of 1964, both for owner-trainer Peter Chesmore. They were handicap hurdler Ten Pins at Stratford on April 2 and selling hurdler Comanche at Southwell on May 16, 1964.
He retired in 1965 as the number of rides and winning opportunities dried up, having ridden a total of 92 winners during his career.
He retired in 1965 as the number of rides and winning opportunities dried up, having ridden a total of 92 winners during his career.
Gerry Madden died on May 19 1987, at his home in Lambourn. He was 55 and had been ill for some time with colon cancer. He left a widow, Bridget, three daughters, Ann, Mary and Kathleen, and two grandchildren.
Gerry Madden died on May 19 1987, at his home in Lambourn. He was 55 and had been ill for some time with colon cancer. He left a widow, Bridget, three daughters, Ann, Mary and Kathleen, and two grandchildren.
Some sources give his second name as Gerard, rather than Gerald.
Some sources give his second name as Gerard, rather than Gerald.
Gerry Madden’s biggest winners were:
Gerry Madden’s biggest winners were:
Hennessy Gold Cup on Mandarin (1957)
Hennessy Gold Cup on Mandarin (1957)
King George VI Chase twice on Mandarin (1957, 1959)
King George VI Chase twice on Mandarin (1957, 1959)
Haydock Park National Trial on Giles Farnaby (1958)
Haydock Park National Trial on Giles Farnaby (1958)