Mick O'Dwyer
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Irish-born National Hunt jockey Mick O’Dwyer rode winners in his homeland before crossing the water in 1948 to join Solly Parker’s stable at Rhyl, in North Wales. The best horse he rode for Parker was Ship’s Bell, on whom he won a Nottingham novices’ chase on December 7, 1948, and a Ludlow novices’ hurdle on April 14, 1949. In between those two victories, Mick rode Ship’s Bell in the 1949 Grand National but failed to complete the course.
Irish-born National Hunt jockey Mick O’Dwyer rode winners in his homeland before crossing the water in 1948 to join Solly Parker’s stable at Rhyl, in North Wales. The best horse he rode for Parker was Ship’s Bell, on whom he won a Nottingham novices’ chase on December 7, 1948, and a Ludlow novices’ hurdle on April 14, 1949. In between those two victories, Mick rode Ship’s Bell in the 1949 Grand National but failed to complete the course.
He won three times on Ship’s Bell the following season, beginning with the Worcester Handicap Chase in October, followed by the Tom Coulthwaite Chase at Haydock on January 6, 1950. They then won a three-mile chase at Hereford and followed that by finishing a worthy sixth in Freebooter’s 1950 Grand National.
He won three times on Ship’s Bell the following season, beginning with the Worcester Handicap Chase in October, followed by the Tom Coulthwaite Chase at Haydock on January 6, 1950. They then won a three-mile chase at Hereford and followed that by finishing a worthy sixth in Freebooter’s 1950 Grand National.
The next season saw Mick join forces with Glamorgan trainer Ralph Morel. He rode Morel’s hurdler Gaiety Star to win at Chepstow in October 1950 and Ludlow in March 1951. He also notched a double for Morel at Hereford on Whit Monday 1951 on chasers Bachelor’s Tonic and Deelish. He rode Confucius for George Owen in that year’s Grand National but was one of a dozen to depart in a dramatic pile-up at the first fence.
The next season saw Mick join forces with Glamorgan trainer Ralph Morel. He rode Morel’s hurdler Gaiety Star to win at Chepstow in October 1950 and Ludlow in March 1951. He also notched a double for Morel at Hereford on Whit Monday 1951 on chasers Bachelor’s Tonic and Deelish. He rode Confucius for George Owen in that year’s Grand National but was one of a dozen to depart in a dramatic pile-up at the first fence.
Mick rode for Sid Mercer, who trained Knowle, Warwickshire, during the
Mick rode for Sid Mercer, who trained Knowle, Warwickshire, during the
1951/52 campaign and scored a double for him at Manchester on March 15, 1952, aboard the useful Glen Fire in the Hearts of Oak Chase and Pactus in the novices’ chase. He won again on Glen Fire (right) at Nottingham and rode another Mercer-trained horse, Menzies, in that year’s Grand National, being unluckily brought down at the 17th fence.
1951/52 campaign and scored a double for him at Manchester on March 15, 1952, aboard the useful Glen Fire in the Hearts of Oak Chase and Pactus in the novices’ chase. He won again on Glen Fire (right) at Nottingham and rode another Mercer-trained horse, Menzies, in that year’s Grand National, being unluckily brought down at the 17th fence.
He rode eight winners in that 1951/52 season, which was numerically his best. He came within one of that in 1954/55 with a score of seven, but that was as good as it got.
He rode eight winners in that 1951/52 season, which was numerically his best. He came within one of that in 1954/55 with a score of seven, but that was as good as it got.
Mick had his fifth and final Grand National mount in 1956 on Border Luck, who refused at the 18th fence. He rode one more winner – Millais in a handicap chase at West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham) on Whit Monday, May 21, 1956 – and retired the following season.
Mick had his fifth and final Grand National mount in 1956 on Border Luck, who refused at the 18th fence. He rode one more winner – Millais in a handicap chase at West Norfolk Hunt (Fakenham) on Whit Monday, May 21, 1956 – and retired the following season.