Pat O'Loughlin
Pat O’Loughlin
Pat O’Loughlin
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Although Patrick O’Loughlin, known as Pat, had some rides on the Flat during the late 1920s, it was almost a decade later before he had the first of seven wins under National Hunt rules in the years leading up to World War Two.
Although Patrick O’Loughlin, known as Pat, had some rides on the Flat during the late 1920s, it was almost a decade later before he had the first of seven wins under National Hunt rules in the years leading up to World War Two.
His first ride over jumps was at Perth on September 29, 1937, when Lavengro finished third in the Scone Maiden Hurdle. At the same course the following afternoon Pat had his first success when the oddly-named Niedergondershausen won the Banff Chase by four lengths.
His first ride over jumps was at Perth on September 29, 1937, when Lavengro finished third in the Scone Maiden Hurdle. At the same course the following afternoon Pat had his first success when the oddly-named Niedergondershausen won the Banff Chase by four lengths.
On October 8 he had another victory when Lavengro took the Stichill Hurdle at Kelso, known in those days as ‘United Border Hunt’. The following day, Niedergondershausen made it three wins in nine days in the Newton Don Chase, beating Lord Drinmore, ridden by the good amateur rider Reg Tweedie – best known in later years as the owner/trainer of the popular chaser Freddie – by three lengths.
On October 8 he had another victory when Lavengro took the Stichill Hurdle at Kelso, known in those days as ‘United Border Hunt’. The following day, Niedergondershausen made it three wins in nine days in the Newton Don Chase, beating Lord Drinmore, ridden by the good amateur rider Reg Tweedie – best known in later years as the owner/trainer of the popular chaser Freddie – by three lengths.
Following those two wins, Niedergondershausen and Pat journeyed south to Newbury on December 1 to run in the Kingsclere Chase but their race ended in a fall and it appears to have been a bad one, as it was some time before Pat rode again.
Following those two wins, Niedergondershausen and Pat journeyed south to Newbury on December 1 to run in the Kingsclere Chase but their race ended in a fall and it appears to have been a bad one, as it was some time before Pat rode again.
He was back in action and was used far more in the 1938/39 campaign, in which he had four wins. The first of those was at Perth on September 28, when President Wilfred beat Pompon, the mount of Bill Halford, by a neck at the end of the Tay Selling Handicap Hurdle. The following month Lavengro won again for Pat when taking the Colwick Handicap Hurdle at Nottingham.
He was back in action and was used far more in the 1938/39 campaign, in which he had four wins. The first of those was at Perth on September 28, when President Wilfred beat Pompon, the mount of Bill Halford, by a neck at the end of the Tay Selling Handicap Hurdle. The following month Lavengro won again for Pat when taking the Colwick Handicap Hurdle at Nottingham.
Six months later, Pat won Carlisle’s Durdar Handicap Hurdle on Easter Monday aboard Frankie Hill. Finally, on April 27, Lavengro and Pat won for a third time, taking the Hexham Handicap Hurdle at that course by three lengths.
Six months later, Pat won Carlisle’s Durdar Handicap Hurdle on Easter Monday aboard Frankie Hill. Finally, on April 27, Lavengro and Pat won for a third time, taking the Hexham Handicap Hurdle at that course by three lengths.
It initially appeared that Pat and Lavengro had won their fourth race together when they passed the post first in the Roxburgh Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on May 3, but the stewards objected on the grounds that Lavengro should have been carrying 7lb more than his allotted weight. The horse was disqualified.
It initially appeared that Pat and Lavengro had won their fourth race together when they passed the post first in the Roxburgh Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on May 3, but the stewards objected on the grounds that Lavengro should have been carrying 7lb more than his allotted weight. The horse was disqualified.
Pat had no more winners, his final ride being on Ton Bon, a faller in the Eden Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield on May 20, 1939. It is not known whether that fall ended his career prematurely but he had no further mounts after that.
Pat had no more winners, his final ride being on Ton Bon, a faller in the Eden Novices’ Chase at Sedgefield on May 20, 1939. It is not known whether that fall ended his career prematurely but he had no further mounts after that.
Pat O’Loughlin’s winners were, in chronological order:
Pat O’Loughlin’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Niedergondershausen, Perth, September 30, 1937
1. Niedergondershausen, Perth, September 30, 1937
2. Lavengro, United Border Hunt (Kelso), October 8, 1937
2. Lavengro, United Border Hunt (Kelso), October 8, 1937
3. Niedergondershausen, United Border Hunt (Kelso), October 9, 1937
3. Niedergondershausen, United Border Hunt (Kelso), October 9, 1937
4. President Wilfred, Perth, September 28, 1938
4. President Wilfred, Perth, September 28, 1938
5. Lavengro, Nottingham, October 23, 1938
5. Lavengro, Nottingham, October 23, 1938
6. Frankie Hill, Carlisle, April 10, 1939
6. Frankie Hill, Carlisle, April 10, 1939
7. Lavengro, Hexham, April 27, 1939
7. Lavengro, Hexham, April 27, 1939
Niedergondershausen is a town in Germany which stands approx. 304 miles from Berlin.
Niedergondershausen is a town in Germany which stands approx. 304 miles from Berlin.
Pat's first win came at Perth on 30 Sept. 1937
His final win came on April 27 1939