Jimmy Morrissey
Jimmy Morrissey
1935-1996
1935-1996
Born in Ireland on November 7, 1935, James Anthony Morrissey, known to all as Jimmy, was apprenticed to Dan Kirwan and rode his first winner, Eleanor M, at Gowran Park, January 19, 1956.
Born in Ireland on November 7, 1935, James Anthony Morrissey, known to all as Jimmy, was apprenticed to Dan Kirwan and rode his first winner, Eleanor M, at Gowran Park, January 19, 1956.
Jimmy had followed his two brothers Pat (died 1991) and Mick (died 2001) into a career as a jockey. He had a few rides on the Flat without success and soon turned his attention to jumping.
Jimmy had followed his two brothers Pat (died 1991) and Mick (died 2001) into a career as a jockey. He had a few rides on the Flat without success and soon turned his attention to jumping.
He rode 40-1 chance Richardstown in the 1958 Grand National but was among the fallers.
He rode 40-1 chance Richardstown in the 1958 Grand National but was among the fallers.
He rode 24 winners in Ireland, including four victories on future Grand National winner Nicolaus Silver, before coming to England in 1960 following the death of Dan Kirwan.
He rode 24 winners in Ireland, including four victories on future Grand National winner Nicolaus Silver, before coming to England in 1960 following the death of Dan Kirwan.
He rode a total of 113 winners in Britain, his biggest success coming on Man Of The East in the Henry VIII Chase at Sandown in 1964.
He rode a total of 113 winners in Britain, his biggest success coming on Man Of The East in the Henry VIII Chase at Sandown in 1964.
He rode in two more Grand Nationals, leading the field in 1965 when taking a spectacular somersault over the 13th fence when a loose horse swerved across the path of his mount, Phebu, bringing him down. The following year he rode 33-1 chance Big George and completed the course 11th of the 12 finishers.
He rode in two more Grand Nationals, leading the field in 1965 when taking a spectacular somersault over the 13th fence when a loose horse swerved across the path of his mount, Phebu, bringing him down. The following year he rode 33-1 chance Big George and completed the course 11th of the 12 finishers.
Jimmy’s riding career was ended with a fall from Cheeky Charlie at Bangor on April 12, 1969. He fractured his skull and was unconscious for nearly two weeks. He also lost his sense of taste and smell.
Jimmy’s riding career was ended with a fall from Cheeky Charlie at Bangor on April 12, 1969. He fractured his skull and was unconscious for nearly two weeks. He also lost his sense of taste and smell.
He afterwards trained for a short while, saddling his first runner, novice hurdler Torrey Canyon, at Hereford on September 25, 1970. He finished fifth of the nine runners. Sadly, the training was not a success and he eventually relinquished his licence.
He afterwards trained for a short while, saddling his first runner, novice hurdler Torrey Canyon, at Hereford on September 25, 1970. He finished fifth of the nine runners. Sadly, the training was not a success and he eventually relinquished his licence.
Jimmy Morrissey died in Shropshire on February 26, 1996, aged 60.
Jimmy Morrissey died in Shropshire on February 26, 1996, aged 60.
