Tommy Morgan
1906 - 2001
1906 - 2001
Tuesday, April 20th, 1920, and a filthy, wet afternoon at Epsom.
Tuesday, April 20th, 1920, and a filthy, wet afternoon at Epsom.
Despite the downpour, the betting crowd was in good form: Victory Speech had won the first race, The Prince of Wales Stakes, at 9/4 before Steve Donoghue, on the heavily backed Cyclette, had skated home at 4/7 by three lengths in the second.
Despite the downpour, the betting crowd was in good form: Victory Speech had won the first race, The Prince of Wales Stakes, at 9/4 before Steve Donoghue, on the heavily backed Cyclette, had skated home at 4/7 by three lengths in the second.
Now all eyes studied the runners for the Great Metropolitan Stakes. At 2/1, Trespasser looked a good thing to give jockey Tommy Weston a winning ride. But Weston wasn’t the only Tommy riding at Epsom that damp afternoon.
Now all eyes studied the runners for the Great Metropolitan Stakes. At 2/1, Trespasser looked a good thing to give jockey Tommy Weston a winning ride. But Weston wasn’t the only Tommy riding at Epsom that damp afternoon.
Young Tommy Morgan, just 14, was the nephew of two fine steeplechase jockeys, Frank and Dick Morgan.
Young Tommy Morgan, just 14, was the nephew of two fine steeplechase jockeys, Frank and Dick Morgan.
With only two public rides behind him, he was there to ride the rank outsider, Viaduct.
With only two public rides behind him, he was there to ride the rank outsider, Viaduct.
By rights he should have been at school, but Viaduct’s astute trainer, George Whittaker, had arranged with Uncle Dick for Tommy to ride Colonel Ward’s horse instead.
By rights he should have been at school, but Viaduct’s astute trainer, George Whittaker, had arranged with Uncle Dick for Tommy to ride Colonel Ward’s horse instead.
Many doubted the wisdom of such a jockey booking. The Great Met, run over the winding Epsom course for two and a quarter miles, is a race that demands great riding skill, plus strength, judgment and nerve. These were not the qualities would expect to find in most apprentice jockeys, let alone one still at school.
Many doubted the wisdom of such a jockey booking. The Great Met, run over the winding Epsom course for two and a quarter miles, is a race that demands great riding skill, plus strength, judgment and nerve. These were not the qualities would expect to find in most apprentice jockeys, let alone one still at school.
The bookmakers agreed and offered ‘at least’ 25/1 about his chances, but found few takers. Horse and boy remained friendless as the field jumped off.
The bookmakers agreed and offered ‘at least’ 25/1 about his chances, but found few takers. Horse and boy remained friendless as the field jumped off.
The tale of the race is simple to relate: a full seven furlongs from home, Trespasser, the favourite began to flag and, as the field swung around Tattenham Corner and into the straight, Tommy Morgan – wearing the orange, sapphire sleeves of Colonel Ward – swept Viaduct into the lead and scooted clear. With just six stone on his back, the bottom weight came home the six lengths winner.
The tale of the race is simple to relate: a full seven furlongs from home, Trespasser, the favourite began to flag and, as the field swung around Tattenham Corner and into the straight, Tommy Morgan – wearing the orange, sapphire sleeves of Colonel Ward – swept Viaduct into the lead and scooted clear. With just six stone on his back, the bottom weight came home the six lengths winner.
It was a great triumph!
It was a great triumph!
Because of the coal strike, the race was abandoned the following year but, in 1922, Tommy Morgan, now 16, was back, having once again been booked to ride a rank outsider.
Because of the coal strike, the race was abandoned the following year but, in 1922, Tommy Morgan, now 16, was back, having once again been booked to ride a rank outsider.
Jack Jarvis’s brilliant apprentice Charlie Elliott had been engaged to ride Le Roi, the favourite.
Jack Jarvis’s brilliant apprentice Charlie Elliott had been engaged to ride Le Roi, the favourite.
On one of the coldest April days ever recorded at Epsom, Tommy bounced his mount Sangrail, a big chestnut colt, into an immediate lead, and maintained it to the post, winning easily by three lengths.
On one of the coldest April days ever recorded at Epsom, Tommy bounced his mount Sangrail, a big chestnut colt, into an immediate lead, and maintained it to the post, winning easily by three lengths.
A case of lightning striking twice!
A case of lightning striking twice!
Charlie Elliott’s horse fell in the race, but such was the pace set by an exuberant Tommy, he would not have troubled Sangrail even if the favourite had kept his feet. Elliott was taken to the Cottage Hospital and was unable to ride for a few days.
Charlie Elliott’s horse fell in the race, but such was the pace set by an exuberant Tommy, he would not have troubled Sangrail even if the favourite had kept his feet. Elliott was taken to the Cottage Hospital and was unable to ride for a few days.
Born in Ireland on 1 June 1906, Tommy Morgan went on to become a successful jumps jockey, being best remembered for his partnership with Remus on which he won the Prince Of Wales's Handicap Chase at Sandown Park. He later became a trainer.
Born in Ireland on 1 June 1906, Tommy Morgan went on to become a successful jumps jockey, being best remembered for his partnership with Remus on which he won the Prince Of Wales's Handicap Chase at Sandown Park. He later became a trainer.
Tommy died in May 2001.
Tommy died in May 2001.