Steve McNally
To ride the winner of an important steeplechase at Ascot would normally guarantee plenty of media coverage for the successful jockey. But that’s not the case when the race happens to fall on Grand National day, especially when it’s the year in which Red Rum creates history by winning the race for a third time.
To ride the winner of an important steeplechase at Ascot would normally guarantee plenty of media coverage for the successful jockey. But that’s not the case when the race happens to fall on Grand National day, especially when it’s the year in which Red Rum creates history by winning the race for a third time.
For a few years, Ascot raced on the same day as Aintree. It was essentially a Flat card but it contained one race over jumps, the Heinz Chase. In 1977 Steve McNally won it on a 14/1 shot named Commandant.
For a few years, Ascot raced on the same day as Aintree. It was essentially a Flat card but it contained one race over jumps, the Heinz Chase. In 1977 Steve McNally won it on a 14/1 shot named Commandant.
Steve was born on December 18, 1959, and began working in racing in his native Ireland, joining Mick O’Toole’s stable at the age of 14. Before starting with Mick he had never even sat on a horse. After serving his apprenticeship there he joined Grand National-winning rider Eddie Harty as a conditional jockey.
Steve was born on December 18, 1959, and began working in racing in his native Ireland, joining Mick O’Toole’s stable at the age of 14. Before starting with Mick he had never even sat on a horse. After serving his apprenticeship there he joined Grand National-winning rider Eddie Harty as a conditional jockey.
Harty had formerly been stable jockey to Toby Balding at Weyhill and it was on his recommendation that Balding invited Steve over to ride Commandant in the Heinz Novices’ Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday, April 2, 1977. Surviving a mistake two out, Steve brought his mount through to lead on the run-in and score by a length and a half from the favourite, Midnight Court, who was destined to win the following year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Not surprisingly following that triumph, Toby Balding invited him to stay.
Harty had formerly been stable jockey to Toby Balding at Weyhill and it was on his recommendation that Balding invited Steve over to ride Commandant in the Heinz Novices’ Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday, April 2, 1977. Surviving a mistake two out, Steve brought his mount through to lead on the run-in and score by a length and a half from the favourite, Midnight Court, who was destined to win the following year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Not surprisingly following that triumph, Toby Balding invited him to stay.
Steve ended up staying just four months before heading back to Ireland, where he rode another winner for Eddie Harty. That win, he decided, was enough of life as a jockey for him, so he returned to England and take a job as head man for Henry Candy. He later worked for David Murray-Smith and Brian Meehan. In recent years he has had various jobs around the yards in Lambourn.
Steve ended up staying just four months before heading back to Ireland, where he rode another winner for Eddie Harty. That win, he decided, was enough of life as a jockey for him, so he returned to England and take a job as head man for Henry Candy. He later worked for David Murray-Smith and Brian Meehan. In recent years he has had various jobs around the yards in Lambourn.
Steve is one of 12 brothers and sisters and was the first in his family to go into racing. He has two younger brothers who now work in the industry. He is not related to the four McNally brothers, Owen, Eddie, Gerry and Brendan, although coincidentally, Owen McNally had been stable jockey to Toby Balding before his career was ended by a bad fall in 1968.
Steve is one of 12 brothers and sisters and was the first in his family to go into racing. He has two younger brothers who now work in the industry. He is not related to the four McNally brothers, Owen, Eddie, Gerry and Brendan, although coincidentally, Owen McNally had been stable jockey to Toby Balding before his career was ended by a bad fall in 1968.
Steve’s contribution to the sport was recognised with the running of the Steve McNally A Life Time in Racing Nursery at Newbury on July 27, 2017.
Steve’s contribution to the sport was recognised with the running of the Steve McNally A Life Time in Racing Nursery at Newbury on July 27, 2017.