Ken Morgan
Irish National Hunt jockey Ken Morgan was born in County Meath on October 9, 1959. He grew up in Ashbourne, within a stone’s throw of Fairyhouse Racecourse and close to Jim Dreaper’s Greenogue Stables, home to many of National Hunt's biggest stars, including Arkle, Flyingbolt, Prince Regent, Brown Lad and Ten Up.
Irish National Hunt jockey Ken Morgan was born in County Meath on October 9, 1959. He grew up in Ashbourne, within a stone’s throw of Fairyhouse Racecourse and close to Jim Dreaper’s Greenogue Stables, home to many of National Hunt's biggest stars, including Arkle, Flyingbolt, Prince Regent, Brown Lad and Ten Up.
Ken’s father, Tommy Morgan approached Jim Dreaper to give his son a chance after he had ridden a point-point winner. Ken duly joined the Dreaper team as an amateur and rode his first winner under NH rules for him on Ducatoon at Roscommon on March 12, 1979.
Ken’s father, Tommy Morgan approached Jim Dreaper to give his son a chance after he had ridden a point-point winner. Ken duly joined the Dreaper team as an amateur and rode his first winner under NH rules for him on Ducatoon at Roscommon on March 12, 1979.
Ken, who had a constant battle with his weight, was closely associated with Jim Dreaper’s stable throughout his career. It turned into a profitable partnership with some big winners along the way including Passage Creeper in the 1986 Arkle Challenge Trophy, Randoss in the 1987 Galway Plate, and Sound Judgement in the Findus Chase at Leopardstown’s 1987 Christmas meeting. Another Dreaper stable star was River Tarquin, on whom Ken won the Troytown Chase in 1991 and back to back renewals of the Findus Chase in 1991 and 1992.
Ken, who had a constant battle with his weight, was closely associated with Jim Dreaper’s stable throughout his career. It turned into a profitable partnership with some big winners along the way including Passage Creeper in the 1986 Arkle Challenge Trophy, Randoss in the 1987 Galway Plate, and Sound Judgement in the Findus Chase at Leopardstown’s 1987 Christmas meeting. Another Dreaper stable star was River Tarquin, on whom Ken won the Troytown Chase in 1991 and back to back renewals of the Findus Chase in 1991 and 1992.
Ken rode Dreaper’s Kilkilowen to a third-place finish in the 1985 Topham Chase over the Grand National fences, and won the 1986 Leopardstown Chase on the Tim Forster-trained Hard Case. He also finished second on Classical Charm in the 1988 Champion Hurdle, won by Celtic Shot.
Ken rode Dreaper’s Kilkilowen to a third-place finish in the 1985 Topham Chase over the Grand National fences, and won the 1986 Leopardstown Chase on the Tim Forster-trained Hard Case. He also finished second on Classical Charm in the 1988 Champion Hurdle, won by Celtic Shot.
However, by far the best horse he rode for Jim Dreaper was the strapping 17-hand Carvill’s Hill, who provided him with his biggest win in the 1989 Vincent O’Brien Irish Gold Cup. Altogether, Ken rode Carvill’s Hill in 17 races, winning 12, five over hurdles and seven chases, including the 1989 Power Gold Cup at Fairyhouse and the 1990 Leopardstown Chase.
However, by far the best horse he rode for Jim Dreaper was the strapping 17-hand Carvill’s Hill, who provided him with his biggest win in the 1989 Vincent O’Brien Irish Gold Cup. Altogether, Ken rode Carvill’s Hill in 17 races, winning 12, five over hurdles and seven chases, including the 1989 Power Gold Cup at Fairyhouse and the 1990 Leopardstown Chase.
Following their victory in the Vincent O'Brien Gold Cup, Ken rode Carvill’s Hill in the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The heavy ground was to the horse’s liking, but their race ended with a seventh-fence fall, having been put off by a loose horse.
Following their victory in the Vincent O'Brien Gold Cup, Ken rode Carvill’s Hill in the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The heavy ground was to the horse’s liking, but their race ended with a seventh-fence fall, having been put off by a loose horse.
That was the year Desert Orchid galloped to victory at the chief expense of Ken’s brother Tom Morgan, also a successful jump jockey, who rode the second placed Yahoo for his boss John Edwards. Tom, who, like Ken, struggled with his weight, gained his most important success on Pearlyman in the 1988 Queen Mother Champion Chase.
That was the year Desert Orchid galloped to victory at the chief expense of Ken’s brother Tom Morgan, also a successful jump jockey, who rode the second placed Yahoo for his boss John Edwards. Tom, who, like Ken, struggled with his weight, gained his most important success on Pearlyman in the 1988 Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Ken’s riding career was ended by when his mount The Bourda was involved in a four-horse pile-up on a bend during the Culleton Insurance Maiden Hurdle on a watered track at Wexford on August 20, 1993. He dislocated his right shoulder for the third time, resulting in severe muscle and ligament damage. After taking medical advice that another fall might permanently damage his shoulder, he announced his retirement in February 1994. He pretty much lost the use of his right arm for 18 months and, even after that, still struggled to raise it above his head.
Ken’s riding career was ended by when his mount The Bourda was involved in a four-horse pile-up on a bend during the Culleton Insurance Maiden Hurdle on a watered track at Wexford on August 20, 1993. He dislocated his right shoulder for the third time, resulting in severe muscle and ligament damage. After taking medical advice that another fall might permanently damage his shoulder, he announced his retirement in February 1994. He pretty much lost the use of his right arm for 18 months and, even after that, still struggled to raise it above his head.
He initially pursued a career with NZI Life Ireland Limited, a life assurance and pensions company. However, in 1997 he formed Champion Lettings, a property company based in Drogheda, in partnership with his wife Margaret. He works behind a desk these days, having made a successful transition from leading National Hunt jockey to managing director of his own company.
He initially pursued a career with NZI Life Ireland Limited, a life assurance and pensions company. However, in 1997 he formed Champion Lettings, a property company based in Drogheda, in partnership with his wife Margaret. He works behind a desk these days, having made a successful transition from leading National Hunt jockey to managing director of his own company.