Jimmy Mullane
How is it possible for a jockey who rode three Irish Derby winners and more than 600 winners worldwide to finish up living in a tent in the woods near Farnham in Winchester?
How is it possible for a jockey who rode three Irish Derby winners and more than 600 winners worldwide to finish up living in a tent in the woods near Farnham in Winchester?
This was the fate which befell former champion Irish jockey Jimmy Mullane.
This was the fate which befell former champion Irish jockey Jimmy Mullane.
Together with his wife, Anne, he had been living in a caravan in the grounds of a convent when, in 1985, a new order of nuns arrived at the convent. Immediately, they got a summons to remove Jimmy and his trailer: the police towed it away but, having nowhere to put them, left the caravan in a lay-by beside a road.
Together with his wife, Anne, he had been living in a caravan in the grounds of a convent when, in 1985, a new order of nuns arrived at the convent. Immediately, they got a summons to remove Jimmy and his trailer: the police towed it away but, having nowhere to put them, left the caravan in a lay-by beside a road.
With no transport of their own to move it, Jimmy and Anne were stuck, so they decided to build themselves a home in the woods. One day the local authority turned up and removed the caravan, impounding it as an abandoned vehicle.
With no transport of their own to move it, Jimmy and Anne were stuck, so they decided to build themselves a home in the woods. One day the local authority turned up and removed the caravan, impounding it as an abandoned vehicle.
The caravan was then destroyed. Jimmy said later: “They took away my home. They destroyed everything I owned in the world. All my trophies and prized possessions were in that van.”
The caravan was then destroyed. Jimmy said later: “They took away my home. They destroyed everything I owned in the world. All my trophies and prized possessions were in that van.”
Then Jimmy suffered an even more crippling loss. Anne, his beloved wife of 45 years, died that February of a stroke.
Then Jimmy suffered an even more crippling loss. Anne, his beloved wife of 45 years, died that February of a stroke.
Prior to her death, Winchester Council had offered them several council houses. Jimmy refused to move saying he would only take up the council’s offer once they had compensated him for his belongings lost with the caravan.
Prior to her death, Winchester Council had offered them several council houses. Jimmy refused to move saying he would only take up the council’s offer once they had compensated him for his belongings lost with the caravan.
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Yet it had all started so well.
Yet it had all started so well.
Born in 1935, Jimmy ‘Corky’ Mullane was apprenticed to Joe Davis. He had shared the Irish apprentice title with Pat (Mutt) Conlon in 1950 when each had ridden 17 winners.
Born in 1935, Jimmy ‘Corky’ Mullane was apprenticed to Joe Davis. He had shared the Irish apprentice title with Pat (Mutt) Conlon in 1950 when each had ridden 17 winners.
The following season, riding for Paddy Prendergast, he won the National Produce Stakes on Blue Butterfly and the famous '1500' at Phoenix Park on one of the fastest colts ever, the brilliant Windy City. Later that year, Windy City won the Gimcrack by 8 lengths with Gordon Richards in the saddle. Jimmy ended the season as Champion Flat jockey with 43 wins.
The following season, riding for Paddy Prendergast, he won the National Produce Stakes on Blue Butterfly and the famous '1500' at Phoenix Park on one of the fastest colts ever, the brilliant Windy City. Later that year, Windy City won the Gimcrack by 8 lengths with Gordon Richards in the saddle. Jimmy ended the season as Champion Flat jockey with 43 wins.
His career peaked in 1952, his ‘annus mirabilis’. He captured Ireland’s two most valuable races – the Irish Derby on Thirteen of Diamonds and the Irish Oaks on Five Spots, both for trainer Paddy Prendergast – before going on to retain the jockeys' championship with 54 wins.
His career peaked in 1952, his ‘annus mirabilis’. He captured Ireland’s two most valuable races – the Irish Derby on Thirteen of Diamonds and the Irish Oaks on Five Spots, both for trainer Paddy Prendergast – before going on to retain the jockeys' championship with 54 wins.
He won a third Classic when landing the 1954 Irish 2,000 Guineas on Arctic Wind for Mick Rogers.
He won a third Classic when landing the 1954 Irish 2,000 Guineas on Arctic Wind for Mick Rogers.
Jimmy continued to ride big race winners throughout the fifties. He did well overseas, particularly in India, where he won the Derby and the One Thousand Guineas. However, a rapid decline in his fortunes left him scraping for a living under both codes in Britain.
Jimmy continued to ride big race winners throughout the fifties. He did well overseas, particularly in India, where he won the Derby and the One Thousand Guineas. However, a rapid decline in his fortunes left him scraping for a living under both codes in Britain.
He rode what proved to be his final winner on the Doug Marks-trained Biscetti in a five-furlong two-year-old seller at Bath on July 23, 1970. He rode for the last time on Saturday, November 7, 1970, when partnering Golden Bleep in a two-mile hurdle race at Worcester. Shortly after that he suffered a broken knee in a vehicle accident which ended his career. Jimmy sued for damages but was only partially successful, with most of the money he was awarded being swallowed up in legal fees.
He rode what proved to be his final winner on the Doug Marks-trained Biscetti in a five-furlong two-year-old seller at Bath on July 23, 1970. He rode for the last time on Saturday, November 7, 1970, when partnering Golden Bleep in a two-mile hurdle race at Worcester. Shortly after that he suffered a broken knee in a vehicle accident which ended his career. Jimmy sued for damages but was only partially successful, with most of the money he was awarded being swallowed up in legal fees.
During the mid-1970s there was talk about him setting up as a trainer in Lambourn, but nothing ever came of it.
During the mid-1970s there was talk about him setting up as a trainer in Lambourn, but nothing ever came of it.
He died in July 2019, aged 84.
He died in July 2019, aged 84.
Jimmy Mullane was a softly spoken person who rarely spoke about the past. Had he done so, he could have mentioned the following races.
Jimmy Mullane was a softly spoken person who rarely spoke about the past. Had he done so, he could have mentioned the following races.
1951: Anglesey Stakes (Stacallen Bridge), National Produce Stakes (Blue Butterfly), Phoenix Park Stakes (Windy City).
1951: Anglesey Stakes (Stacallen Bridge), National Produce Stakes (Blue Butterfly), Phoenix Park Stakes (Windy City).
1952: Irish Derby (Thirteen of Diamonds), Irish Oaks (Five Spots), Phoenix Park Stakes (Royal Duchy), Blandford Stakes (Thirteen of Diamonds).
1952: Irish Derby (Thirteen of Diamonds), Irish Oaks (Five Spots), Phoenix Park Stakes (Royal Duchy), Blandford Stakes (Thirteen of Diamonds).
1954: Irish 2,000 Guineas (Arctic Wind), Greenland Stakes (Standing Holly).
1954: Irish 2,000 Guineas (Arctic Wind), Greenland Stakes (Standing Holly).
1956: Phoenix Park Stakes (Refined).
1956: Phoenix Park Stakes (Refined).
1958: Gallinule Stakes (Clear Round).
1958: Gallinule Stakes (Clear Round).
1959: Irish Lincoln (Anthony).
1959: Irish Lincoln (Anthony).