Mike Moran
1916 - 1978
1916 - 1978
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Michael Joseph Moran was born in 1916 and rode without success on the Flat in the 1930s before turning to the ‘winter game’. He lost some of the best years of his career due to World War II, having ridden his first winner on the 8/1 chance Turmoil in the £122 to the winner Hallow Hurdle at Worcester on April 28, 1938.
Michael Joseph Moran was born in 1916 and rode without success on the Flat in the 1930s before turning to the ‘winter game’. He lost some of the best years of his career due to World War II, having ridden his first winner on the 8/1 chance Turmoil in the £122 to the winner Hallow Hurdle at Worcester on April 28, 1938.
In March 1939 he won twice on a handicap hurdler named Hawk, firstly over two miles at Hurst Park and then over two miles five furlongs at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting. They were denied a third success together when Hawk was disqualified for bumping and boring after finishing first past the post at Wincanton on Easter Monday.
In March 1939 he won twice on a handicap hurdler named Hawk, firstly over two miles at Hurst Park and then over two miles five furlongs at Sandown’s Grand Military meeting. They were denied a third success together when Hawk was disqualified for bumping and boring after finishing first past the post at Wincanton on Easter Monday.
After the war Mike rode for Fulke Walwyn, for whom Brian Marshall was stable jockey. Mike’s winners for Walwyn included juvenile hurdler Stormy Petrel at Hereford on October 26, 1946 and handicap chaser Silver Measure at Newport on May 26, 1947.
After the war Mike rode for Fulke Walwyn, for whom Brian Marshall was stable jockey. Mike’s winners for Walwyn included juvenile hurdler Stormy Petrel at Hereford on October 26, 1946 and handicap chaser Silver Measure at Newport on May 26, 1947.
He also rode for Ginger Dennistoun’s stable and rode three winners for him during the 1948/49 season, including a pair of Southwell selling hurdles in May 1949 on Sparrowhawk
He also rode for Ginger Dennistoun’s stable and rode three winners for him during the 1948/49 season, including a pair of Southwell selling hurdles in May 1949 on Sparrowhawk
Mike had three more winners in 1949/50, including a double at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1949, aboard Dennistoun’s Curraghmore in the Coseley (4yo) Hurdle and Walwyn’s Toy Serpent in the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle.
Mike had three more winners in 1949/50, including a double at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1949, aboard Dennistoun’s Curraghmore in the Coseley (4yo) Hurdle and Walwyn’s Toy Serpent in the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle.
He rode his final winner when wearing the famous blue, yellow hoop and armlets colours of Dorothy Paget, on Nanking, trained by Fulke Walwyn, in division one of the Oadby Maiden Hurdle at Leicester on November 28, 1950.
He rode his final winner when wearing the famous blue, yellow hoop and armlets colours of Dorothy Paget, on Nanking, trained by Fulke Walwyn, in division one of the Oadby Maiden Hurdle at Leicester on November 28, 1950.
Mike continued to hold a licence until 1954 before hanging up his boots, still claiming a 5lb allowance. How different his career might have been but for the outbreak of war is anybody’s guess, but he undoubtedly lost several years at a crucial time.
Mike continued to hold a licence until 1954 before hanging up his boots, still claiming a 5lb allowance. How different his career might have been but for the outbreak of war is anybody’s guess, but he undoubtedly lost several years at a crucial time.
Mike Moran died on May 18, 1978, aged 62.
Mike Moran died on May 18, 1978, aged 62.