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Tony McGilligan
Tony McGilligan
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Anthony Neil McGilligan rode under National Hunt rules during the first half of the 1980s and had just one win.
Anthony Neil McGilligan rode under National Hunt rules during the first half of the 1980s and had just one win.
His first ride was at Stockton on February 27, 1981, when the 11-year-old Uncle Vanya was tailed off from halfway in the Lucy Glitters Handicap Hurdle. Lucy Glitters, incidentally, was a character from R.S. Surtees’ illustrated novel ‘Mr. Sponge’s Sporting Tour’, showing a bold, well-dressed woman riding side-saddle leading a fox hunt, symbolizing spirited female participation in traditional English hunting. As one huntsman said of her, “gallant little ’oman to ride, I do like to see her go’.
His first ride was at Stockton on February 27, 1981, when the 11-year-old Uncle Vanya was tailed off from halfway in the Lucy Glitters Handicap Hurdle. Lucy Glitters, incidentally, was a character from R.S. Surtees’ illustrated novel ‘Mr. Sponge’s Sporting Tour’, showing a bold, well-dressed woman riding side-saddle leading a fox hunt, symbolizing spirited female participation in traditional English hunting. As one huntsman said of her, “gallant little ’oman to ride, I do like to see her go’.
That was the last jump meeting to take place at Stockton, which had held its inaugural National Hunt fixture under the new name of Teesside Park in October 1967, although it had existed for Flat racing as Stockton long before that. It was originally earmarked for closure in 1963 but was reprieved subject to the condition of introducing jump racing. Beset in later years by financial problems, racing at Stockton ended in June 1981.
That was the last jump meeting to take place at Stockton, which had held its inaugural National Hunt fixture under the new name of Teesside Park in October 1967, although it had existed for Flat racing as Stockton long before that. It was originally earmarked for closure in 1963 but was reprieved subject to the condition of introducing jump racing. Beset in later years by financial problems, racing at Stockton ended in June 1981.
Tony persevered long after Stockton’s closure but it was not until March 5, 1986 that he rode his one and only winner when Free To Go took the lead at the third flight and, despite blundering two out, came home eight lengths clear to land the Hornby Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Catterick Bridge.
Tony persevered long after Stockton’s closure but it was not until March 5, 1986 that he rode his one and only winner when Free To Go took the lead at the third flight and, despite blundering two out, came home eight lengths clear to land the Hornby Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Catterick Bridge.
The four-year-old Free To Go was trained by former jump jockey Mick Naughton and was making her debut over jumps. She went on to win her next to races ridden by future successful trainer Micky Hammond.
The four-year-old Free To Go was trained by former jump jockey Mick Naughton and was making her debut over jumps. She went on to win her next to races ridden by future successful trainer Micky Hammond.
Tony had his last ride at Sedgefield on April 29, 1986, when unseated at the first fence on Chrisett in the Hetton Novices’ Chase.
Tony had his last ride at Sedgefield on April 29, 1986, when unseated at the first fence on Chrisett in the Hetton Novices’ Chase.
Free To Go: Tony McGilligan's solitary winner
Free To Go: Tony McGilligan's solitary winner
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