Michael Magee
Michael Magee
Michael Magee
Michael R. Magee began his racing career as an amateur jockey and rode his first winner on Josie Morgan in the Tally-Ho Chase at Kilbeggan on May 9, 1949. He turned professional with some success, reaching his peak in the mid-1950s.
Michael R. Magee began his racing career as an amateur jockey and rode his first winner on Josie Morgan in the Tally-Ho Chase at Kilbeggan on May 9, 1949. He turned professional with some success, reaching his peak in the mid-1950s.
Having ridden 15 winners in Ireland in 1953, he doubled that tally to a career-best 30 in 1954, placing him eighth in the jockeys’ table, which in those days comprised Flat and jump racing combined. His successes that year included Navan’s Webster Cup Handicap Chase on Nibot. He rode that horse in that year’s Irish Grand National, finishing sixth.
Having ridden 15 winners in Ireland in 1953, he doubled that tally to a career-best 30 in 1954, placing him eighth in the jockeys’ table, which in those days comprised Flat and jump racing combined. His successes that year included Navan’s Webster Cup Handicap Chase on Nibot. He rode that horse in that year’s Irish Grand National, finishing sixth.
He registered is sole success in England when the five-year-old Boltown Comet won the prestigious Coronation Hurdle at Liverpool on March 25, 1955, beating Monsieur Beaucaire II by a length and a half. The rider of the runner-up objected to the winner on grounds of “crossing at the last flight of hurdles” but this was overruled.
He registered is sole success in England when the five-year-old Boltown Comet won the prestigious Coronation Hurdle at Liverpool on March 25, 1955, beating Monsieur Beaucaire II by a length and a half. The rider of the runner-up objected to the winner on grounds of “crossing at the last flight of hurdles” but this was overruled.
Boltown Comet had already won two races in Ireland that season and had finished second in the other, all with Michael on board. Following their Aintree success, they returned to Ireland and followed up two weeks later with victory in the Rank Perpetual Challenge Cup, one of the few hurdle races held at Phoenix Park.
Boltown Comet had already won two races in Ireland that season and had finished second in the other, all with Michael on board. Following their Aintree success, they returned to Ireland and followed up two weeks later with victory in the Rank Perpetual Challenge Cup, one of the few hurdle races held at Phoenix Park.
Michael ended 1955 with 20 winners, which put him in tenth position for the jockeys’ championship. He ended the year by winning the Christmas Handicap Chase on Roddy Owen, then rode him to win the Ticknock Handicap Chase over the same course in January. Next time out they finished second in the Mildmay of Flete Chase at the 1956 Cheltenham National Hunt meeting. Michael also rode him that year’s Irish Grand National, again finishing sixth.
Michael ended 1955 with 20 winners, which put him in tenth position for the jockeys’ championship. He ended the year by winning the Christmas Handicap Chase on Roddy Owen, then rode him to win the Ticknock Handicap Chase over the same course in January. Next time out they finished second in the Mildmay of Flete Chase at the 1956 Cheltenham National Hunt meeting. Michael also rode him that year’s Irish Grand National, again finishing sixth.
During the 1956/57 season he won a pair of three-mile chases on the Paddy Norris-trained Kilballyown, notably the Newlands Handicap Chase at Naas in March, a recognised trial for the Irish Grand National. Next time out, Kilballyown duly won the Irish National, but it was Willie Robinson who rode him that day. Michael’s mount, 25-1 outsider Pharamineux II, was among the half-dozen fallers.
During the 1956/57 season he won a pair of three-mile chases on the Paddy Norris-trained Kilballyown, notably the Newlands Handicap Chase at Naas in March, a recognised trial for the Irish Grand National. Next time out, Kilballyown duly won the Irish National, but it was Willie Robinson who rode him that day. Michael’s mount, 25-1 outsider Pharamineux II, was among the half-dozen fallers.
In many ways that fall mirrored Michael’s subsequent career. Perhaps it was a result of injury or a series of injuries but, having ridden a total of 50 winners in two years, he failed to reach double figures from 1956 onwards.
In many ways that fall mirrored Michael’s subsequent career. Perhaps it was a result of injury or a series of injuries but, having ridden a total of 50 winners in two years, he failed to reach double figures from 1956 onwards.
And when Roddy Owen, the best horse he rode during his career, won the 1959 Cheltenham Gold Cup, it was Bobby Beasley who was in the saddle, not Michael Magee.
And when Roddy Owen, the best horse he rode during his career, won the 1959 Cheltenham Gold Cup, it was Bobby Beasley who was in the saddle, not Michael Magee.
Michael Magee's solitary win in England
