John Meaney
John Meaney
John Meaney
John Meaney was a leading jockey in Ireland during the inter-war period who made occasional trips to England, resulting in three victories, all on Grecian Wave, most notably the 1926 Grand Sefton Chase over the Liverpool fences.
John Meaney was a leading jockey in Ireland during the inter-war period who made occasional trips to England, resulting in three victories, all on Grecian Wave, most notably the 1926 Grand Sefton Chase over the Liverpool fences.
His major wins in Ireland included, in 1924, Punchestown’s Conyngham Cup, Mullingar’s Directors’ Handicap Chase and the Rakes of Mallow Chase; in 1925, the Stewards’ Handicap Chase at Leopardstown, the Maze Handicap Chase at Down Royal, the Listowel Handicap Chase (the equivalent of today’s Kerry National) and the Kilashea Handicap Hurdle at the Curragh; in 1926, the St Patrick’s Day Chase at Limerick and the Metropolitan Handicap Chase at Baldoyle; and in 1927 the Greville Challenge Cup Chase at Leopardstown.
His major wins in Ireland included, in 1924, Punchestown’s Conyngham Cup, Mullingar’s Directors’ Handicap Chase and the Rakes of Mallow Chase; in 1925, the Stewards’ Handicap Chase at Leopardstown, the Maze Handicap Chase at Down Royal, the Listowel Handicap Chase (the equivalent of today’s Kerry National) and the Kilashea Handicap Hurdle at the Curragh; in 1926, the St Patrick’s Day Chase at Limerick and the Metropolitan Handicap Chase at Baldoyle; and in 1927 the Greville Challenge Cup Chase at Leopardstown.
He rode in six Irish Grand Nationals between 1920 and 1927, achieving his best placing when second on Ballystockart in 1925.
He rode in six Irish Grand Nationals between 1920 and 1927, achieving his best placing when second on Ballystockart in 1925.
A month after finishing runner-up in Ireland’s most important steeplechase, on May 12, 1925 John rode his first winner on English soil when comfortably landed the Loxley Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter by 12 lengths on Grecian Wave.
A month after finishing runner-up in Ireland’s most important steeplechase, on May 12, 1925 John rode his first winner on English soil when comfortably landed the Loxley Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter by 12 lengths on Grecian Wave.
On April 17, 1926, John and Grecian Wave finished second in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside, beaten eight lengths by Anthony Harraway on Estuna. The following season, on November 11, they won Aintree’s Grand Sefton Chase. On January 6, 1927 they recorded a 12-length success in the January Handicap Chase at Haydock Park.
On April 17, 1926, John and Grecian Wave finished second in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside, beaten eight lengths by Anthony Harraway on Estuna. The following season, on November 11, they won Aintree’s Grand Sefton Chase. On January 6, 1927 they recorded a 12-length success in the January Handicap Chase at Haydock Park.
Following an unplaced effort at Nottingham in February, they were among the eight starters for the 1927 Cheltenham Gold Cup, but finished a well-beaten fifth behind Thrown In, ridden by the Hon. Hugh Grosvenor.
Following an unplaced effort at Nottingham in February, they were among the eight starters for the 1927 Cheltenham Gold Cup, but finished a well-beaten fifth behind Thrown In, ridden by the Hon. Hugh Grosvenor.
Next came the 1927 Grand National. It was the mare’s second attempt at the race, having been a faller at the first fence the previous year when partnered by the 1925 winning rider Major Jack Wilson. Among the leaders over Becher’s, John took Grecian Wave to the front approaching Valentine’s and led the field back onto the racecourse, only to fall at the Chair.
Next came the 1927 Grand National. It was the mare’s second attempt at the race, having been a faller at the first fence the previous year when partnered by the 1925 winning rider Major Jack Wilson. Among the leaders over Becher’s, John took Grecian Wave to the front approaching Valentine’s and led the field back onto the racecourse, only to fall at the Chair.
John had three rides in the Grand National altogether but each time failed to complete the course. Prior to Grecian Wave, a fall on Arravale in 1925 was followed by a similar fate on Knight Of The Wilderness in 1926.
John had three rides in the Grand National altogether but each time failed to complete the course. Prior to Grecian Wave, a fall on Arravale in 1925 was followed by a similar fate on Knight Of The Wilderness in 1926.
In addition to his Grand Sefton triumph on Grecian Wave, he finished third in the 1925 Becher Chase on Knight Of The Wilderness.
In addition to his Grand Sefton triumph on Grecian Wave, he finished third in the 1925 Becher Chase on Knight Of The Wilderness.
Following his exploits on Grecian Wave, John Meaney mostly concentrated on riding in Ireland, where he accumulated more than 110 winners during a career that stretched from 1918 to 1933.
Following his exploits on Grecian Wave, John Meaney mostly concentrated on riding in Ireland, where he accumulated more than 110 winners during a career that stretched from 1918 to 1933.
He did still take the occasional ride in England, the last being on Karaman, a faller in the Loxley Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on May 15, 1934, the race that had provided him with his first win in England nine years earlier.
He did still take the occasional ride in England, the last being on Karaman, a faller in the Loxley Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on May 15, 1934, the race that had provided him with his first win in England nine years earlier.
John's victory on Grecian Wave
John's victory on Grecian Wave