Stephen McGrath
Born in 1908, National Hunt jockey Stephen McGrath rode 27 winners during the 1930s, the vast majority when based in the Scottish Borders with Grantshouse trainer Stewart Wight.
Born in 1908, National Hunt jockey Stephen McGrath rode 27 winners during the 1930s, the vast majority when based in the Scottish Borders with Grantshouse trainer Stewart Wight.
Stephen made an inauspicious start to his race-riding career when his mount Ospray fell in the Oadby Hurdle at Leicester on December 3, 1929. He rode his first winner on Swift News in the Border Cup Handicap Chase at Oswestry & Llanymynech on April 18, 1931.
Stephen made an inauspicious start to his race-riding career when his mount Ospray fell in the Oadby Hurdle at Leicester on December 3, 1929. He rode his first winner on Swift News in the Border Cup Handicap Chase at Oswestry & Llanymynech on April 18, 1931.
However, it was after he headed north that his fortunes rose. When Stewart Wight’s stable jockey Tim Duggan suffered a career-ending fall at Sedgefield in March 1935, Stephen came in for the rides as his understudy at Grantshouse, ending the 1934/35 campaign with eight wins. They included a treble at Hexham on Whit Monday, June 10, 1935 aboard Ingledene in the Causey Hill Selling Hurdle, La Sorciere in the Summerodds Handicap Hurdle and Pencraik in the Spital Chase. Ingledene was trained by Wilfrid Lyde at Middleham but the second and third legs were both trained by Wight.
However, it was after he headed north that his fortunes rose. When Stewart Wight’s stable jockey Tim Duggan suffered a career-ending fall at Sedgefield in March 1935, Stephen came in for the rides as his understudy at Grantshouse, ending the 1934/35 campaign with eight wins. They included a treble at Hexham on Whit Monday, June 10, 1935 aboard Ingledene in the Causey Hill Selling Hurdle, La Sorciere in the Summerodds Handicap Hurdle and Pencraik in the Spital Chase. Ingledene was trained by Wilfrid Lyde at Middleham but the second and third legs were both trained by Wight.
He again rode eight winners the following season, when he also made the frame in two races over the Grand National fences, finishing second in the 1935 Molyneux Chase on Pencraik and fourth in the Becher Chase on Inversible. He rode Inversible in the 1936 Grand National, finishing a highly creditable fifth behind Reynoldstown, having been in second place at halfway.
He again rode eight winners the following season, when he also made the frame in two races over the Grand National fences, finishing second in the 1935 Molyneux Chase on Pencraik and fourth in the Becher Chase on Inversible. He rode Inversible in the 1936 Grand National, finishing a highly creditable fifth behind Reynoldstown, having been in second place at halfway.
Stephen struck up a good partnership with another of Wight’s chasers, Hundy Mundy, winning at Wetherby in October and Haydock in November 1935, at Perth in September and Carlisle in December 1936, and at Kelso in February 1937. They also finished third in the 1936 Scottish Grand National.
Stephen struck up a good partnership with another of Wight’s chasers, Hundy Mundy, winning at Wetherby in October and Haydock in November 1935, at Perth in September and Carlisle in December 1936, and at Kelso in February 1937. They also finished third in the 1936 Scottish Grand National.
Stephen rode his last winner on Shillaly in the Eden Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield on May 10, 1939. Later that month, on Whit Monday, May 29, he again rode Shillaly in what proved to be his final ride, finishing third in the Spital Novices’ Chase at Hexham. It is likely that his career was one of many cut short by the declaration of war against Germany less than four months later.
Stephen rode his last winner on Shillaly in the Eden Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield on May 10, 1939. Later that month, on Whit Monday, May 29, he again rode Shillaly in what proved to be his final ride, finishing third in the Spital Novices’ Chase at Hexham. It is likely that his career was one of many cut short by the declaration of war against Germany less than four months later.
Stephen's first winner: Swift News, Oswestry, April 17 1931
Stephen's first winner: Swift News, Oswestry, April 17 1931
Stephen's last winner: Shillaly, Sedgefield, May 10 1939
Stephen's last winner: Shillaly, Sedgefield, May 10 1939