Joe O'Shea
Joe O’Shea
Joe O’Shea
Joseph O’Shea was a well-travelled man. In 1928, aged 17, he left his native Ireland for Canada to pursue his career in racing. He rode successfully there and also in the United States before heading for England in 1935. He then visited India before returning to Canada. During the war, he served in the Canadian Army in North Africa, Italy and North-West Europe.
Joseph O’Shea was a well-travelled man. In 1928, aged 17, he left his native Ireland for Canada to pursue his career in racing. He rode successfully there and also in the United States before heading for England in 1935. He then visited India before returning to Canada. During the war, he served in the Canadian Army in North Africa, Italy and North-West Europe.
Following demobilisation, Joe went to Old Manor Stables, Upper Lambourn, where he joined Canadian-born trainer Graham Grant, for whose father Joe used to ride in Canada.
Following demobilisation, Joe went to Old Manor Stables, Upper Lambourn, where he joined Canadian-born trainer Graham Grant, for whose father Joe used to ride in Canada.
His first ride ended in a fall when his mount Jack Garter was one of four casualties in the Gillingham Novices’ Chase at Wincanton on October 24, 1946. But a month later he was able to claim his first English success, which came at Sandown Park on November 23 aboard Shining Perry, owned and trained by Graham Grant, in the Esher Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old was having his first run of the season and beat 13 rivals to land the prize by four lengths.
His first ride ended in a fall when his mount Jack Garter was one of four casualties in the Gillingham Novices’ Chase at Wincanton on October 24, 1946. But a month later he was able to claim his first English success, which came at Sandown Park on November 23 aboard Shining Perry, owned and trained by Graham Grant, in the Esher Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old was having his first run of the season and beat 13 rivals to land the prize by four lengths.
On December 6 the pair scored over the same course and distance in the Milburn Hurdle, but this time Tommy Isaac, rider of the runner-up Triona, objected on grounds of “crossing at the last flight of hurdles” and the objection was sustained, meaning Joe lost his second winner.
On December 6 the pair scored over the same course and distance in the Milburn Hurdle, but this time Tommy Isaac, rider of the runner-up Triona, objected on grounds of “crossing at the last flight of hurdles” and the objection was sustained, meaning Joe lost his second winner.
Despite that disappointment, he kept the ride on Shining Penny and was on board when the gelding finished eighth in the 1947 Imperial Cup at Sandown and then sixth in the Champion Hurdle, the latter taking place on April 12, following the abandonment of that year’s National Hunt meeting due to a combination of snow and frost that had wiped out all British racing for seven weeks.
Despite that disappointment, he kept the ride on Shining Penny and was on board when the gelding finished eighth in the 1947 Imperial Cup at Sandown and then sixth in the Champion Hurdle, the latter taking place on April 12, following the abandonment of that year’s National Hunt meeting due to a combination of snow and frost that had wiped out all British racing for seven weeks.
On their first outing together the following season, Joe and Shining Penny contested the same race they had lost in the stewards’ room the year before, the Milburn Hurdle, and made amends by recording a three-length victory.
On their first outing together the following season, Joe and Shining Penny contested the same race they had lost in the stewards’ room the year before, the Milburn Hurdle, and made amends by recording a three-length victory.
Later that season, they performed creditably to finish third, beaten a total of five lengths, in the 1948 Imperial Cup, the race being won by Johnnie Gilbert on Anglesey. They had one more go together, finishing fifth in the Prestbury Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on April 10, 1948. That was Joe’s final ride in England.
Later that season, they performed creditably to finish third, beaten a total of five lengths, in the 1948 Imperial Cup, the race being won by Johnnie Gilbert on Anglesey. They had one more go together, finishing fifth in the Prestbury Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on April 10, 1948. That was Joe’s final ride in England.
Shortly afterwards, when Graham Grant relocated to America, Joe followed him, in charge of the recently acquired Luan Casca, who had bowed out of British racing with victory in Liverpool’s Champion Chase, when ridden by Tim Molony for Epsom trainer Herbert Smyth. Luan Casca went on to win a $1,500 steeplechase at Pimlico, in Maryland.
Shortly afterwards, when Graham Grant relocated to America, Joe followed him, in charge of the recently acquired Luan Casca, who had bowed out of British racing with victory in Liverpool’s Champion Chase, when ridden by Tim Molony for Epsom trainer Herbert Smyth. Luan Casca went on to win a $1,500 steeplechase at Pimlico, in Maryland.
However, Joe did not stay there long. He had married the daughter of Upper Lambourn trainer Harry Whiteman and set up on his own in 1950 with a small string of half a dozen, based in part of Whiteman’s Park Farm stables. He had a couple of early winners, but the arrangement lasted for barely a year and Joe relinquished his licence.
However, Joe did not stay there long. He had married the daughter of Upper Lambourn trainer Harry Whiteman and set up on his own in 1950 with a small string of half a dozen, based in part of Whiteman’s Park Farm stables. He had a couple of early winners, but the arrangement lasted for barely a year and Joe relinquished his licence.
His whereabouts from there are unknown. He is not listed in the 1952 edition of ‘Horses in Training’. Perhaps his wanderlust took him away again, away from England, perhaps even back to his homeland in Ireland.
His whereabouts from there are unknown. He is not listed in the 1952 edition of ‘Horses in Training’. Perhaps his wanderlust took him away again, away from England, perhaps even back to his homeland in Ireland.
Shining Penny, Joe O'Shea's first English winner, November 23 1946 at Sandown
Joe's second English winner