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Belfast-born jump jockey Pat McWilliams first sprang to prominence in January 1991 when winning Leopardstown’s Ladbroke Hurdle on The Illiad for trainer Andy Geraghty. Two months later he gained an even greater success when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on the Geraghty-trained Destriero.
Belfast-born jump jockey Pat McWilliams first sprang to prominence in January 1991 when winning Leopardstown’s Ladbroke Hurdle on The Illiad for trainer Andy Geraghty. Two months later he gained an even greater success when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on the Geraghty-trained Destriero.
He enjoyed another high-profile success in February 1992 when winning Punchestown’s National Trial Handicap Chase for Mick O’Toole on Bishop’s Staff.
He enjoyed another high-profile success in February 1992 when winning Punchestown’s National Trial Handicap Chase for Mick O’Toole on Bishop’s Staff.
Pat had a brief stint in England riding for Howard Johnson in the first half of the 1992/93 season, partnering four winners for the yard, the first of which was Tres Amigos (bottom) in the Jayne Thompson Memorial Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield on September 15, 1992. The second was gained on Old Applejack in the Durham Handicap Chase at Newcastle in October, while the third and fourth were both courtesy of Cool Dude in Catterick selling/claiming hurdles in November and December.
Pat had a brief stint in England riding for Howard Johnson in the first half of the 1992/93 season, partnering four winners for the yard, the first of which was Tres Amigos (bottom) in the Jayne Thompson Memorial Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield on September 15, 1992. The second was gained on Old Applejack in the Durham Handicap Chase at Newcastle in October, while the third and fourth were both courtesy of Cool Dude in Catterick selling/claiming hurdles in November and December.
The following year, Pat was struck down by diabetes. He lost his licence and it was thought at the time that he would never race-ride again. However, after a two-and-a-quarter-year lay-off, he received a clean bill of health in March 1996 and was able to renew his licence.
The following year, Pat was struck down by diabetes. He lost his licence and it was thought at the time that he would never race-ride again. However, after a two-and-a-quarter-year lay-off, he received a clean bill of health in March 1996 and was able to renew his licence.
He made a dream return to racing two weeks later when steering 20-1 chance The Third Man to victory in the Bet With the Tote Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal on March 19, 1996. He almost made it a double when riding Green Glen in the Smirnoff Handicap Chase. In the lead after the last, Green Glen was just run out of it by If You Believe, trained in Co Antrim by Harry Smyth, who combined training with running a car repair firm.
He made a dream return to racing two weeks later when steering 20-1 chance The Third Man to victory in the Bet With the Tote Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal on March 19, 1996. He almost made it a double when riding Green Glen in the Smirnoff Handicap Chase. In the lead after the last, Green Glen was just run out of it by If You Believe, trained in Co Antrim by Harry Smyth, who combined training with running a car repair firm.
“You can’t have everything,” said Pat as he came in to another loud cheer of approval from the packed crowd. “It’s been a wonderful day for me. There were times when I thought I would never see a racecourse again, but this win has made up for those years when I was on the sidelines.”
“You can’t have everything,” said Pat as he came in to another loud cheer of approval from the packed crowd. “It’s been a wonderful day for me. There were times when I thought I would never see a racecourse again, but this win has made up for those years when I was on the sidelines.”
When Pat eventually hung up his riding boots, he took out a trainer’s licence and trained a small string of jumpers.
When Pat eventually hung up his riding boots, he took out a trainer’s licence and trained a small string of jumpers.
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