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Born in Drumconrath, County Meath, Tommy McGivern was a leading jump jockey in the 1970s and 1980s who was closely associated with Michael Cunningham’s stable. He also rode winners for several other trainers including Bunny Cox, Paddy Prendergast, Dermot Weld, Noel Meade and Billy Boyers.
Born in Drumconrath, County Meath, Tommy McGivern was a leading jump jockey in the 1970s and 1980s who was closely associated with Michael Cunningham’s stable. He also rode winners for several other trainers including Bunny Cox, Paddy Prendergast, Dermot Weld, Noel Meade and Billy Boyers.
A popular figure within the industry, he rode his first winner as a teenager for Cunningham and achieved his first major success when still a conditional jockey, landing the 1977 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown aboard the Cunningham-trained Drumgora. In December of that year he won the Punchestown Chase for Bunny Cox on Fort Fox.
A popular figure within the industry, he rode his first winner as a teenager for Cunningham and achieved his first major success when still a conditional jockey, landing the 1977 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown aboard the Cunningham-trained Drumgora. In December of that year he won the Punchestown Chase for Bunny Cox on Fort Fox.
When Drumgora graduated to fences, Tommy rode him to win Leopardstown’s Christmas Novice Chase on Boxing Day 1978. Earlier that month, he’d guided Rathinree to victory in the Benson and Hedges Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse for permit holder George Armstrong, beating the newly crowned Champion Hurdler Monksfield by a length and a half.
When Drumgora graduated to fences, Tommy rode him to win Leopardstown’s Christmas Novice Chase on Boxing Day 1978. Earlier that month, he’d guided Rathinree to victory in the Benson and Hedges Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse for permit holder George Armstrong, beating the newly crowned Champion Hurdler Monksfield by a length and a half.
In 1979 he won the Easter Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on the Billy Boyers-trained Kilcoleman and later that same year rode him to win the Munster National at Limerick.
In 1979 he won the Easter Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on the Billy Boyers-trained Kilcoleman and later that same year rode him to win the Munster National at Limerick.
On March 29, 1980, Tommy rode Drumgora, by then trained by Arthur Moore, to win the Sunratings Chase (now called the Red Rum Chase) at Aintree. That same afternoon he had his only ride in the Grand National, falling at the nineteenth fence on Drumroan. Also that year he won the Sean Graham Chase at Gowran Park on Corrib Chieftain and finished second on him in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham, albeit 20 lengths behind the trailblazing winner Anaglogs Daughter.
On March 29, 1980, Tommy rode Drumgora, by then trained by Arthur Moore, to win the Sunratings Chase (now called the Red Rum Chase) at Aintree. That same afternoon he had his only ride in the Grand National, falling at the nineteenth fence on Drumroan. Also that year he won the Sean Graham Chase at Gowran Park on Corrib Chieftain and finished second on him in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham, albeit 20 lengths behind the trailblazing winner Anaglogs Daughter.
Tommy teamed up with Drumgora again in November 1980 to win the Goff’s Handicap Chase at Navan. Other Cunningham-trained horses on whom he enjoyed success included the 1982 Champion Hurdle hero For Auction, along with Irish Fashion and dual Grand National runner-up Greasepaint.
Tommy teamed up with Drumgora again in November 1980 to win the Goff’s Handicap Chase at Navan. Other Cunningham-trained horses on whom he enjoyed success included the 1982 Champion Hurdle hero For Auction, along with Irish Fashion and dual Grand National runner-up Greasepaint.
He registered a big race double at Leopardstown on Boxing Day 1980, winning the Sean Graham Handicap Chase on Arthur Moore’s Royal Bond and the Sean Graham Juvenile Champion Hurdle on Paddy Prendergast’s Tie Anchor. He then rode Tie Anchor to win the Fingall Hurdle at Fairyhouse’s 1981 Easter meeting and the Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
He registered a big race double at Leopardstown on Boxing Day 1980, winning the Sean Graham Handicap Chase on Arthur Moore’s Royal Bond and the Sean Graham Juvenile Champion Hurdle on Paddy Prendergast’s Tie Anchor. He then rode Tie Anchor to win the Fingall Hurdle at Fairyhouse’s 1981 Easter meeting and the Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
Tommy’s riding career spanned just over 20 years up to the beginning of the 1990s, and he came close to winning a jockeys’ title in the mid-1980s when just losing out to Frank Berry.
Tommy’s riding career spanned just over 20 years up to the beginning of the 1990s, and he came close to winning a jockeys’ title in the mid-1980s when just losing out to Frank Berry.
He was at one time married to jockey turned trainer Joanna Morgan, with whom he had two daughters, Katie and Maggie. He also has an older son, Noel.
He was at one time married to jockey turned trainer Joanna Morgan, with whom he had two daughters, Katie and Maggie. He also has an older son, Noel.
After retiring from the saddle, Tommy spent a number of years training in Maryland in the United States. He eventually returned to Ireland and worked as a stalls handler.
After retiring from the saddle, Tommy spent a number of years training in Maryland in the United States. He eventually returned to Ireland and worked as a stalls handler.
Tommy McGivern died on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, aged 62, following a short illness.
Tommy McGivern died on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, aged 62, following a short illness.
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