Gerry McNally
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Gerard Michael Joseph McNally was born in Ireland on May 11, 1947, the third of four brothers who all rode winners under National Hunt Rules. Elder brothers Owen and Eddie had already retired by the time Gerry made his riding debut, achieving his first winner on Gavin Hunter’s selling hurdler Coin at Plumpton on Easter Monday, April 3, 1972. He rode one more winner that season, also for Hunter, on novice hurdler Intra at Huntingdon on May 20.
Gerard Michael Joseph McNally was born in Ireland on May 11, 1947, the third of four brothers who all rode winners under National Hunt Rules. Elder brothers Owen and Eddie had already retired by the time Gerry made his riding debut, achieving his first winner on Gavin Hunter’s selling hurdler Coin at Plumpton on Easter Monday, April 3, 1972. He rode one more winner that season, also for Hunter, on novice hurdler Intra at Huntingdon on May 20.
Gerry rode nine winners the following season and 15 the next (1973/74), which turned out to be his best numerically. Guy Bach’s novice hurdler Cingalese got him off to a good start when winning at Plumpton in September and then formed the second leg of a double at Towcester on October 6, initiated by Ken Cundell’s chaser Takasaki. Later that season, Gerry won again on Takasaki over course and distance at Towcester’s Easter meeting.
Gerry rode nine winners the following season and 15 the next (1973/74), which turned out to be his best numerically. Guy Bach’s novice hurdler Cingalese got him off to a good start when winning at Plumpton in September and then formed the second leg of a double at Towcester on October 6, initiated by Ken Cundell’s chaser Takasaki. Later that season, Gerry won again on Takasaki over course and distance at Towcester’s Easter meeting.
In stark contrast, the next three seasons yielded just eight winners between them. Probably the best horse he rode during that period was Tudor View, owner-trained by Pat Upton at Sparsholt, near Wantage. Gerry won a 3m 5f chase at Sandown on him on November 29, 1974 and finished second over a similar marathon trip in Warwick’s Watney’s Special Handicap Chase, beaten by John Suthern’s mount Highland Explorer. Gerry also rode Tudor View in that season’s (1975) Grand National, being well in touch when unluckily brought down at the thirteenth fence. That was his only ride in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
In stark contrast, the next three seasons yielded just eight winners between them. Probably the best horse he rode during that period was Tudor View, owner-trained by Pat Upton at Sparsholt, near Wantage. Gerry won a 3m 5f chase at Sandown on him on November 29, 1974 and finished second over a similar marathon trip in Warwick’s Watney’s Special Handicap Chase, beaten by John Suthern’s mount Highland Explorer. Gerry also rode Tudor View in that season’s (1975) Grand National, being well in touch when unluckily brought down at the thirteenth fence. That was his only ride in the world’s most famous steeplechase.
In November 1975, Gerry and Tudor View again went close to landing Warwick’s Watney’s Special Handicap Chase, this time failing by just half a length to repel the late thrust of Brian Fletcher on Kilmore Boy.
In November 1975, Gerry and Tudor View again went close to landing Warwick’s Watney’s Special Handicap Chase, this time failing by just half a length to repel the late thrust of Brian Fletcher on Kilmore Boy.
Had there not been an afternoon fixture at Newton Abbot on July 30, 1977, Gerry would have been leading jockey for half an hour, because he won the opening race at Market Rasen’s evening meeting on the first day of the new season. It was just a humble selling hurdle on a horse named Ann’s Dream but her East Garston-based trainer Charlie James had a much more promising prospect named Foreign Legion, on whom Gerry won three times that season, including a televised Philip Cornes Novice Hurdle qualifier at Wolverhampton in November.
Had there not been an afternoon fixture at Newton Abbot on July 30, 1977, Gerry would have been leading jockey for half an hour, because he won the opening race at Market Rasen’s evening meeting on the first day of the new season. It was just a humble selling hurdle on a horse named Ann’s Dream but her East Garston-based trainer Charlie James had a much more promising prospect named Foreign Legion, on whom Gerry won three times that season, including a televised Philip Cornes Novice Hurdle qualifier at Wolverhampton in November.
Put over fences the following term, Foreign Legion and Gerry won a Market Rasen novice chase, progressing to win three decent ‘Saturday’ handicaps during the 1979/80 campaign, beginning with the Studd Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham in October, following up at Wolverhampton in November, and then landing Sandown’s Express Chase in January. Those three wins were among a dozen Gerry rode that season, all of them trained by Charlie James, including three apiece on novice hurdlers Spanish Sovereign and Doonally.
Put over fences the following term, Foreign Legion and Gerry won a Market Rasen novice chase, progressing to win three decent ‘Saturday’ handicaps during the 1979/80 campaign, beginning with the Studd Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham in October, following up at Wolverhampton in November, and then landing Sandown’s Express Chase in January. Those three wins were among a dozen Gerry rode that season, all of them trained by Charlie James, including three apiece on novice hurdlers Spanish Sovereign and Doonally.
Foreign Legion reappeared on October 7, 1980 and gave Gerry the biggest win of his career when landing the Haldon Gold Cup at Devon & Exeter. That was Foreign Legion’s only victory of the season, although he came close when finishing runner-up in the Easter Hero Handicap Chase at Kempton in January. Doonally was another to win first time out for Gerry, at Fontwell in September, without troubling the judge again.
Foreign Legion reappeared on October 7, 1980 and gave Gerry the biggest win of his career when landing the Haldon Gold Cup at Devon & Exeter. That was Foreign Legion’s only victory of the season, although he came close when finishing runner-up in the Easter Hero Handicap Chase at Kempton in January. Doonally was another to win first time out for Gerry, at Fontwell in September, without troubling the judge again.
Despite getting an early winner on the board in the shape of Charlie James’ novice hurdle Candaules at Bangor-on-Dee on August 14, 1982, there was little else to cheer about that season. He was forced to quit at the age of 36, following a fall from juvenile hurdler Jo Reviens at Hereford on August 27, 1983, in which he was concussed and received 25 stitches in a broken nose. Later that year the Jockey Club doctor instructed him to retire. He rode more than 70 winners. In retirement, he ran a garage in the Lambourn area.
Despite getting an early winner on the board in the shape of Charlie James’ novice hurdle Candaules at Bangor-on-Dee on August 14, 1982, there was little else to cheer about that season. He was forced to quit at the age of 36, following a fall from juvenile hurdler Jo Reviens at Hereford on August 27, 1983, in which he was concussed and received 25 stitches in a broken nose. Later that year the Jockey Club doctor instructed him to retire. He rode more than 70 winners. In retirement, he ran a garage in the Lambourn area.
His youngest brother Brendan rode a few winners for Fulke Walwyn but his career did not last as long as his elder siblings.
His youngest brother Brendan rode a few winners for Fulke Walwyn but his career did not last as long as his elder siblings.