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1917 - 1996
1917 - 1996
Robert Joseph (Bobby) O'Ryan was born in Tipperary, Ireland, on June 12, 1917 and rode his first winner on Irish Blarney in the two-mile County Handicap Chase at Rathkeale on September 3, 1940.
Robert Joseph (Bobby) O'Ryan was born in Tipperary, Ireland, on June 12, 1917 and rode his first winner on Irish Blarney in the two-mile County Handicap Chase at Rathkeale on September 3, 1940.
Towards the end of the war, he established himself as one of the leading jump jockeys in Ireland, riding mainly for the Ballsbridge stables of Co. Dublin trainer Charlie Rogers. His first important victory came on former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Roman Hackle in the 1945 Leopardstown Chase, beating Prince Regent by a short head, albeit in receipt of 42lb from Tom Dreaper’s champion.
Towards the end of the war, he established himself as one of the leading jump jockeys in Ireland, riding mainly for the Ballsbridge stables of Co. Dublin trainer Charlie Rogers. His first important victory came on former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Roman Hackle in the 1945 Leopardstown Chase, beating Prince Regent by a short head, albeit in receipt of 42lb from Tom Dreaper’s champion.
In 1946 he again beat Prince Regent, when riding Loyal King to win the Baldoyle Chase, with the great champion, again giving three stone, beaten a neck and a head into third place.
In 1946 he again beat Prince Regent, when riding Loyal King to win the Baldoyle Chase, with the great champion, again giving three stone, beaten a neck and a head into third place.
Moving to England, Bobby rode a total of 170 winners, the biggest of which was on the Dorothy Paget-owned Distel in the 1946 Champion Hurdle. In the very next race he rode Dunshaughlin to win the National Hunt Handicap Chase, beating subsequent Gold Cup winner Silver Fame by five lengths.
Moving to England, Bobby rode a total of 170 winners, the biggest of which was on the Dorothy Paget-owned Distel in the 1946 Champion Hurdle. In the very next race he rode Dunshaughlin to win the National Hunt Handicap Chase, beating subsequent Gold Cup winner Silver Fame by five lengths.
Among the best horses he rode was Cool Customer, on whom he won the 1946 Leopardstown Chase. At the same course in February 1950 he rode a double for Vincent O’Brien aboard Hatton’s Grace in the Scalp Hurdle and future Grand National winner Royal Tan in the novice chase.
Among the best horses he rode was Cool Customer, on whom he won the 1946 Leopardstown Chase. At the same course in February 1950 he rode a double for Vincent O’Brien aboard Hatton’s Grace in the Scalp Hurdle and future Grand National winner Royal Tan in the novice chase.
In England he rode regularly for Yorkshire trainers Charlie Hall and Walter Easterby. Easterby trained Acthon Major, on whom Bobby won eight races including the Valentine Chase at Aintree and finished third in the 1950 Grand National.
In England he rode regularly for Yorkshire trainers Charlie Hall and Walter Easterby. Easterby trained Acthon Major, on whom Bobby won eight races including the Valentine Chase at Aintree and finished third in the 1950 Grand National.
Bobby’s last big winner was Q.E.D. in the 1951 Lancashire Chase at Manchester.
Bobby’s last big winner was Q.E.D. in the 1951 Lancashire Chase at Manchester.
After retiring from the saddle he was head lad for 11 years to Rufus Beasley at Malton and then acted in the same capacity for nine years at Pat Rohan’s stables.
After retiring from the saddle he was head lad for 11 years to Rufus Beasley at Malton and then acted in the same capacity for nine years at Pat Rohan’s stables.
Bobby died of a stroke on June 30, 1996, aged 79. His wife, Edie, had predeceased him the year before. He left two sons, Robin and Tom.
Bobby died of a stroke on June 30, 1996, aged 79. His wife, Edie, had predeceased him the year before. He left two sons, Robin and Tom.
Tom rode with success on the Flat before becoming a journalist. With the Racing Post.
Tom rode with success on the Flat before becoming a journalist. With the Racing Post.
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