Gerry McCann
Gerry McCann came over from his native Ireland in 1963 to serve his apprenticeship with Hampshire trainer Bill
Gerry McCann came over from his native Ireland in 1963 to serve his apprenticeship with Hampshire trainer Bill
Wightman. He rode his first three winners within a month, all of them for Wightman in apprentice handicaps, the first being on Eyes Down, who scored a short-head victory at Ascot on April 2, 1966. The other two were achieved at Epsom and Ascot on Singer, who, three years earlier, had finished eleventh as a 100/1 outsider in Relko’s Derby.
Wightman. He rode his first three winners within a month, all of them for Wightman in apprentice handicaps, the first being on Eyes Down, who scored a short-head victory at Ascot on April 2, 1966. The other two were achieved at Epsom and Ascot on Singer, who, three years earlier, had finished eleventh as a 100/1 outsider in Relko’s Derby.
In June that year, Gerry rode his fourth winner aboard Wightman’s seven-year-old Gift Account in the Polar Jest
In June that year, Gerry rode his fourth winner aboard Wightman’s seven-year-old Gift Account in the Polar Jest
Apprentice Handicap at Newbury. That turned out to be the final one of Gerry’s riding career. The nearest he came to riding another was when Eyes Down, was beaten a neck by Michael Day’s mount The Swan Checker in Kempton’s Apprentice Handicap on September 16 that year.
Apprentice Handicap at Newbury. That turned out to be the final one of Gerry’s riding career. The nearest he came to riding another was when Eyes Down, was beaten a neck by Michael Day’s mount The Swan Checker in Kempton’s Apprentice Handicap on September 16 that year.
In 1973 Gerry went to work for Dick Hern at the renowned West Ilsley Stables. “The Major” moved to Kingwood House Stables in Lambourn, and Gerry duly followed. It was only when Hern retired in 1997 that Gerry’s finished working for this great trainer. He then started in the same yard with Hern’s former assistant, Marcus Tregoning.
In 1973 Gerry went to work for Dick Hern at the renowned West Ilsley Stables. “The Major” moved to Kingwood House Stables in Lambourn, and Gerry duly followed. It was only when Hern retired in 1997 that Gerry’s finished working for this great trainer. He then started in the same yard with Hern’s former assistant, Marcus Tregoning.
Gerry only worked for three trainers during his entire career in racing. Over the years he rode four Derby winners in their preparation for the big race: Troy, Henbit, Nashwan (all for Dick Hern) and Sir Percy for Marcus Tregoning. He regarded Nashwan as the best horse he ever sat on. Photographs of the various greats Gerry has ridden adorn the walls of the pub he co-runs in Lambourn with his brother Sean, The Wheelwright Arms.
Gerry only worked for three trainers during his entire career in racing. Over the years he rode four Derby winners in their preparation for the big race: Troy, Henbit, Nashwan (all for Dick Hern) and Sir Percy for Marcus Tregoning. He regarded Nashwan as the best horse he ever sat on. Photographs of the various greats Gerry has ridden adorn the walls of the pub he co-runs in Lambourn with his brother Sean, The Wheelwright Arms.
His contribution to the sport was recognised at Salisbury on June 10, 2008, with the running of the Gerry McCann Lifetime in Racing Claiming Stakes.
His contribution to the sport was recognised at Salisbury on June 10, 2008, with the running of the Gerry McCann Lifetime in Racing Claiming Stakes.
Gerry McCann’s four winners were:
Gerry McCann’s four winners were:
1. Eyes Down, Ascot, April 2, 1966
1. Eyes Down, Ascot, April 2, 1966
2. Singer, Epsom, April 21, 1966
2. Singer, Epsom, April 21, 1966
3. Singer, Ascot, April 29, 1966
3. Singer, Ascot, April 29, 1966
4. Gift Account, Newbury, June 23, 1966
4. Gift Account, Newbury, June 23, 1966
