Leo McMorrow
Leo McMorrow
1918 - 1973
1918 - 1973
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.
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.
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, Lucid Eyes at Rathkeale on March 28, 1940.
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, Lucid Eyes at Rathkeale on March 28, 1940.
In 1944, having turned professional, he decided to try his luck in England.
In 1944, having turned professional, he decided to try his luck in England.
Riding for trainer Cliff Beechener in Northamptonshire, he made a reasonable start. This, however, was followed by another spell in the doldrums.
Riding for trainer Cliff Beechener in Northamptonshire, 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 nine-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, a tenant farmer on the Duke of Westminster’s estate at Cotton Edmunds, near Chester, was able to find a bookmaker willing to lay 300-1 for his £10 stake.
The nine-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, a tenant farmer on the Duke of Westminster’s estate at Cotton Edmunds, near Chester, 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, outstaying Lord Bicester’s Roimond and the much-fancied Royal Mount, with Lord Mildmay on Cromwell, the favourite, back in fourth.
Russian Hero and Leo ran out the eight lengths winners, outstaying Lord Bicester’s Roimond and the much-fancied Royal Mount, with Lord Mildmay on Cromwell, the favourite, back in fourth.
Russian Hero never won again in 27 tries. He ran in the next three Grand Nationals, twice falling at the first fence. After retirement he spent two seasons in the hunting field, partnered during one of them by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, who would later become the owner of Arkle. Russian Hero lived out the rest of his days at Fernie Willoiamson’s farm. He was put down, aged 25, in January 1965.
Russian Hero never won again in 27 tries. He ran in the next three Grand Nationals, twice falling at the first fence. After retirement he spent two seasons in the hunting field, partnered during one of them by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, who would later become the owner of Arkle. Russian Hero lived out the rest of his days at Fernie Willoiamson’s farm. He was put down, aged 25, in January 1965.
Despite his Grand National success, Leo McMorrow still struggled for rides and in the year of his National victory had just 12 wins in all. Moreover, that ended up being his best season, for only twice subsequently did he scrape into double figures.
Despite his Grand National success, Leo McMorrow still struggled for rides and in the year of his National victory had just 12 wins in all. Moreover, that ended up being his best season, for only twice subsequently did he scrape into double figures.
He did, though, achieve one more success over the Grand National fences, when his mount Sergeant Kelly dead-heated with Tommy Shone on Uncle Barney in the 1952 Valentine Chase.
He did, though, achieve one more success over the Grand National fences, when his mount Sergeant Kelly dead-heated with Tommy Shone on Uncle Barney in the 1952 Valentine Chase.
Leo continued riding until April 1960 and, a couple of years later, began training in Doncaster. He had his first success as trainer when Contact won at Wolverhampton on March 11, 1964.
Leo continued riding until April 1960 and, a couple of years later, began training in Doncaster. He had his first success as trainer when Contact won at Wolverhampton on March 11, 1964.
However, he found it tough going and left Britain in 1970 to try his luck training in America. Sadly, it proved to be a fatal decision.
However, he found it tough going and left Britain in 1970 to try his luck training in America. Sadly, it proved to be a fatal decision.
Leo McMorrow died in a car crash in Pennsylvania in September 1973, aged 55.
Leo McMorrow died in a car crash in Pennsylvania in September 1973, aged 55.
His Grand National record:
His 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)