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Jim McGonigal
Jim McGonigal
James George (Jim) McGonigal enjoyed some success between 1928 and 1931 with three wins on the Flat and nine over jumps.
James George (Jim) McGonigal enjoyed some success between 1928 and 1931 with three wins on the Flat and nine over jumps.
Born in 1910, he was apprenticed to Epsom trainer Stabley Wootton, described as a “brilliant coach of apprentices”, and had his first ride at Gatwick on May 19, 1928, when Peertoi finished seventh of 13 runners in the Maiden (Apprentice) Stakes.
Born in 1910, he was apprenticed to Epsom trainer Stabley Wootton, described as a “brilliant coach of apprentices”, and had his first ride at Gatwick on May 19, 1928, when Peertoi finished seventh of 13 runners in the Maiden (Apprentice) Stakes.
It was on another of the horses owned and trained by Wootton that Jim opened his account when Frank Bare won the Westmoreland Apprentice Plate by a length and a half at Liverpool on November 7, 1928.
It was on another of the horses owned and trained by Wootton that Jim opened his account when Frank Bare won the Westmoreland Apprentice Plate by a length and a half at Liverpool on November 7, 1928.
He rode two more winners on the Flat in 1929 and then began a career over jumps, starting with two wins on his first two rides. At Kempton Park on January 24, 1930, Sir Crispen, like Jim making his debut under National Hunt rules, won the Sunbury Selling Hurdle, beating nine rivals. At the same course the following day, Abdul was successful in the Brentford Handicap Hurdle, beating Paradeosis by two lengths.
He rode two more winners on the Flat in 1929 and then began a career over jumps, starting with two wins on his first two rides. At Kempton Park on January 24, 1930, Sir Crispen, like Jim making his debut under National Hunt rules, won the Sunbury Selling Hurdle, beating nine rivals. At the same course the following day, Abdul was successful in the Brentford Handicap Hurdle, beating Paradeosis by two lengths.
Altogether, Jim won six races that season, and there were three more to come in the 1930/31 campaign, all on horses owned by Stanley Wooton and trained by his brother Frank. It was on one of these, Royal Blush, that Jim had his final win when landing the Watergall Hurdle at Warwick on February 3, 1931, beating Bargee, the mount of Staff Ingham, by six lengths.
Altogether, Jim won six races that season, and there were three more to come in the 1930/31 campaign, all on horses owned by Stanley Wooton and trained by his brother Frank. It was on one of these, Royal Blush, that Jim had his final win when landing the Watergall Hurdle at Warwick on February 3, 1931, beating Bargee, the mount of Staff Ingham, by six lengths.
He did not ride on the Flat after 1929, being unable to claim an allowance. He had his final ride over jumps at Hurst Park on December 10, 1931, when Delft was brought down by Stour three hurdles out in the Surbiton Selling Hurdle. It is not known for certain whether that fall was of a sufficiently serious nature to end Jim’s career as a jump jockey, but it seems quite likely, given that he was only in his early twenties at the time and had ridden nine winners in little over a year. Delft was uninjured in the fall and was sold for 25 guineas after the race.
He did not ride on the Flat after 1929, being unable to claim an allowance. He had his final ride over jumps at Hurst Park on December 10, 1931, when Delft was brought down by Stour three hurdles out in the Surbiton Selling Hurdle. It is not known for certain whether that fall was of a sufficiently serious nature to end Jim’s career as a jump jockey, but it seems quite likely, given that he was only in his early twenties at the time and had ridden nine winners in little over a year. Delft was uninjured in the fall and was sold for 25 guineas after the race.
Jim McGonigal’s winners were, in chronological order:
Jim McGonigal’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Frank Bare, Liverpool, November 7, 1928
1. Frank Bare, Liverpool, November 7, 1928
2. Frank Bare, Haydock Park, June 28, 1929
2. Frank Bare, Haydock Park, June 28, 1929
3. Miscou, Sandown Park, August 5, 1929
3. Miscou, Sandown Park, August 5, 1929
4. Sir Crispen, Kempton Park, January 24, 1930
4. Sir Crispen, Kempton Park, January 24, 1930
5. Abdul, Kempton Park, January 25, 1930
5. Abdul, Kempton Park, January 25, 1930
6. Family Hope, Lingfield Park, February 8, 193
6. Family Hope, Lingfield Park, February 8, 193
7. Abdul, Newbury, February 15, 1930
7. Abdul, Newbury, February 15, 1930
8. Abdul, Hurst Park, March 14, 1930
8. Abdul, Hurst Park, March 14, 1930
9. Irish Lord, Plumpton, April 19, 1930
9. Irish Lord, Plumpton, April 19, 1930
10. Irish Lord, Sandown Park, October 23, 1930
10. Irish Lord, Sandown Park, October 23, 1930
11. Irish Lord, Sandown Park, December 6, 1930
11. Irish Lord, Sandown Park, December 6, 1930
12. Royal Blush, Warwick, February 3, 1931
12. Royal Blush, Warwick, February 3, 1931
Jim's first NH winner, Sir Crispen
Jim's final winner, Royal Blush
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