Tim Molony
1919 - 1989
1919 - 1989
Photo courtesy Chris Pitt
Photo courtesy Chris Pitt
Tim Molony was born in Co Limerick on September 14, 1919, and had his first ride in public as an amateur in 1936. He turned professional in 1940 and, coming to England after the war, and became stable jockey to Willie Stephenson at Royston.
Tim Molony was born in Co Limerick on September 14, 1919, and had his first ride in public as an amateur in 1936. He turned professional in 1940 and, coming to England after the war, and became stable jockey to Willie Stephenson at Royston.
With the likes of Aubrey Brabazon, Dick Francis, Johnny Gilbert, Bryan Marshall and Fred Winter riding, it was, indeed, a golden age of jockeyship, yet Tim Molony stood out. Between 1948 and 1955, when there were far fewer jumping races than there are now, he was champion jockey five times with over 900 winners to his name.
With the likes of Aubrey Brabazon, Dick Francis, Johnny Gilbert, Bryan Marshall and Fred Winter riding, it was, indeed, a golden age of jockeyship, yet Tim Molony stood out. Between 1948 and 1955, when there were far fewer jumping races than there are now, he was champion jockey five times with over 900 winners to his name.
One horse his name will be forever linked with is Sir Ken, which Stephenson trained to win three consecutive Champion Hurdles. Molony also rode Hatton's Grace which, in 1951, began a record sequence of four consecutive Champion Hurdle victories.
One horse his name will be forever linked with is Sir Ken, which Stephenson trained to win three consecutive Champion Hurdles. Molony also rode Hatton's Grace which, in 1951, began a record sequence of four consecutive Champion Hurdle victories.
He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Knock Hard and was the rider of those other outstanding horses of that era Freebooter, Roimond and ESB.
He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Knock Hard and was the rider of those other outstanding horses of that era Freebooter, Roimond and ESB.
Molony rode three Grand Sefton and two Stanley Chase winners at Aintree, but, while a formidable rider over the Grand National fences, curiously he never shone in the great race itself.
Molony rode three Grand Sefton and two Stanley Chase winners at Aintree, but, while a formidable rider over the Grand National fences, curiously he never shone in the great race itself.
Molony began training in 1958 after injury had forced him to give up riding. Eight years later, he was the only bidder for a particular lot at Goffs Sales. The yearling was knocked down to Moloney at the 'giveaway' price of 400 guineas. His name was Red Rum.
Molony began training in 1958 after injury had forced him to give up riding. Eight years later, he was the only bidder for a particular lot at Goffs Sales. The yearling was knocked down to Moloney at the 'giveaway' price of 400 guineas. His name was Red Rum.
Tim Molony, aged 70, died at his home near Melton Mowbray on Thursday, December 14, 1989, leaving a widow, Stella, and their three sons, plus a daughter by another marriage.
Tim Molony, aged 70, died at his home near Melton Mowbray on Thursday, December 14, 1989, leaving a widow, Stella, and their three sons, plus a daughter by another marriage.
Tim Molony
Tim Molony
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Knock Hard (1953)
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Knock Hard (1953)
Champion Hurdle winners: Hatton’s Grace (1951), Sir Ken (1952, 1953,1954)
Champion Hurdle winners: Hatton’s Grace (1951), Sir Ken (1952, 1953,1954)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1946: Stayers’ Handicap Chase – Bricett
1946: Stayers’ Handicap Chase – Bricett
1947: Stanley Chase – Billykin
1947: Stanley Chase – Billykin
1948: Champion Chase – Luan Casca
1948: Champion Chase – Luan Casca
1948: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Rostel
1948: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Rostel
1949: Champion Chase – Freebooter
1949: Champion Chase – Freebooter
1949: Stanley Chase – Carmody
1949: Stanley Chase – Carmody
1949: Emblem Chase – Wot No Sun
1949: Emblem Chase – Wot No Sun
1951: Mildmay Memorial Chase – Roimond
1951: Mildmay Memorial Chase – Roimond
1951: Great Yorkshire Chase – Arctic Gold
1951: Great Yorkshire Chase – Arctic Gold
1952: Champion Trial Hurdle – Sir Ken
1952: Champion Trial Hurdle – Sir Ken
1952: Grand Sefton Chase – Wot No Sun
1952: Grand Sefton Chase – Wot No Sun
1953: Great Yorkshire Chase – Knock Hard
1953: Great Yorkshire Chase – Knock Hard
1953: Champion Trial Hurdle – Sir Ken
1953: Champion Trial Hurdle – Sir Ken
1954: Champion Trial Hurdle – Sir Ken
1954: Champion Trial Hurdle – Sir Ken
1956: Grand Sefton Chase – Key Royal
1956: Grand Sefton Chase – Key Royal
1956: Mildmay Chase – Sir Ken
1956: Mildmay Chase – Sir Ken
1957: Great Yorkshire Chase – E.S.B.
1957: Great Yorkshire Chase – E.S.B.
In Tim's own opinion, his younger brother, Martin, was the better jockey of the two.
In Tim's own opinion, his younger brother, Martin, was the better jockey of the two.
