Leo McMorrow
1918 - 1973
1918 - 1973
In April, 1938, the Croom Harriers held their point-to-point races at Liskennet, near Limerick, in Ireland.
In April, 1938, the Croom Harriers held their point-to-point races at Liskennet, near Limerick, in Ireland.
The weather was fine, and a young, amateur horseman, Sligo-born Leo McMorrow, climbed up on Clariva for the Maiden Race. He finished third.
The weather was fine, and a young, amateur horseman, Sligo-born Leo McMorrow, climbed up on Clariva for the Maiden Race. He finished third.
Liskennet stands 256 miles away from the winner's enclosure at Aintree.
Liskennet stands 256 miles away from the winner's enclosure at Aintree.
On March 26, 1949, that's where Leo found himself, just having ridden the 66/1 outsider Russian Hero to a stunning victory in the Grand National.
On March 26, 1949, that's where Leo found himself, just having ridden the 66/1 outsider Russian Hero to a stunning victory in the Grand National.
It was no more than he deserved.
It was no more than he deserved.
Born on April 9, 1918, Michael Leo Aloysius McMorrow had known the hard times: as an amateur he had struggled for three years in Ireland before riding his first winner.
Born on April 9, 1918, Michael Leo Aloysius McMorrow had known the hard times: as an amateur he had struggled for three years in Ireland before riding his first winner.
!n 1944, having turned professional, he decided to try his luck in England.
!n 1944, having turned professional, he decided to try his luck in England.
Riding for trainer Cliff Beechener in Northants, he made a reasonable start: this, however, was followed by another spell in the doldrums.
Riding for trainer Cliff Beechener in Northants, he made a reasonable start: this, however, was followed by another spell in the doldrums.
Then his luck changed.
Then his luck changed.
Dick Francis decided to ride for Lord Bicester thus giving Leo the chance of joining trainer George Owen at Malpas.
Dick Francis decided to ride for Lord Bicester thus giving Leo the chance of joining trainer George Owen at Malpas.
Among Owen's horses was Russian Hero, who, in fact, became Leo's first winning ride for his new stable. Starting at 20/1, Leo got Russian Hero home by a head in a two-mile chase at Worcester in October, 1948.
Among Owen's horses was Russian Hero, who, in fact, became Leo's first winning ride for his new stable. Starting at 20/1, Leo got Russian Hero home by a head in a two-mile chase at Worcester in October, 1948.
The 9-year-old horse was regarded by many as a dodgy jumper with no form whatsoever beyond three miles, and it was because of this that its owner, Fernie Williamson, was able to find a bookmaker willing to lay 300-1 for his £10 stake.
The 9-year-old horse was regarded by many as a dodgy jumper with no form whatsoever beyond three miles, and it was because of this that its owner, Fernie Williamson, was able to find a bookmaker willing to lay 300-1 for his £10 stake.
Russian Hero and Leo ran out the eight lengths winners.
Russian Hero and Leo ran out the eight lengths winners.
Despite this success, Leo still struggled for rides and in the year of his National victory had just 12 wins in all.
Despite this success, Leo still struggled for rides and in the year of his National victory had just 12 wins in all.
He continued riding until April 1960 and, a couple of years later, began training in Doncaster.
He continued riding until April 1960 and, a couple of years later, began training in Doncaster.
Leo had his first success as trainer when Contact won at Wolverhampton on March 11 1964. He found it tough going however, and decided to try his luck training in America.
Leo had his first success as trainer when Contact won at Wolverhampton on March 11 1964. He found it tough going however, and decided to try his luck training in America.
It was an fatal decision.
It was an fatal decision.
Leo McMorrow died in a car crash in Pennsylvania in 1973.
Leo McMorrow died in a car crash in Pennsylvania in 1973.
Leo McMorrow's Grand National record:
Leo McMorrow's Grand National record:
1949: Russian Hero (WON)
1949: Russian Hero (WON)
1950: Russian Hero (fell at first)
1950: Russian Hero (fell at first)
1951: Russian Hero (brought down)
1951: Russian Hero (brought down)
1954: Uncle Barney (7th)
1954: Uncle Barney (7th)
1955: Uncle Barney (13th)
1955: Uncle Barney (13th)
1956: Merry Windsor (fell)
1956: Merry Windsor (fell)
1957: Morrcator (fell)
1957: Morrcator (fell)