Embedded Files
Richard O'Donovan on Old Policy at Worcester, 7 May 1977
Richard O’Donovan
Richard O’Donovan
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Richard O’Donovan rode under National Hunt rules for five seasons in the 1970s and recorded 18 winners during that time. A decade later he made a brief return to these shores and added one more.
Richard O’Donovan rode under National Hunt rules for five seasons in the 1970s and recorded 18 winners during that time. A decade later he made a brief return to these shores and added one more.
He was associated with the Hednesford, Staffordshire stable of Earl Jones, but it was on a horse trained by the legendary Fred Rimell that he had his first win. This was at Uttoxeter on December 13, 1973, when Notification had an easy victory in the Aspirants Opportunity Hurdle, beating Somethin’s Wong by ten lengths.
He was associated with the Hednesford, Staffordshire stable of Earl Jones, but it was on a horse trained by the legendary Fred Rimell that he had his first win. This was at Uttoxeter on December 13, 1973, when Notification had an easy victory in the Aspirants Opportunity Hurdle, beating Somethin’s Wong by ten lengths.
Richard must have hoped he had won his second race at Cheltenham on April 18, when Gipsy Boy finished first in the Cleeve Consolation Handicap Hurdle, but his mount was disqualified on grounds of ‘crossing at the last’ and placed second. He did have another winner before the season ended, on Vicky Volatile, trained by Oliver Carter.
Richard must have hoped he had won his second race at Cheltenham on April 18, when Gipsy Boy finished first in the Cleeve Consolation Handicap Hurdle, but his mount was disqualified on grounds of ‘crossing at the last’ and placed second. He did have another winner before the season ended, on Vicky Volatile, trained by Oliver Carter.
In each of the next three seasons he registered five wins. They included a success on one of the ‘Dove’ horses trained by the Price family, as well as a victory on the prolific Mighty Marine for Milton Bradley.
In each of the next three seasons he registered five wins. They included a success on one of the ‘Dove’ horses trained by the Price family, as well as a victory on the prolific Mighty Marine for Milton Bradley.
He scored for what looked to have been the final time at Southwell on March 23, 1978, when Levkimmis routed the opposition in the Junction Selling Hurdle, coasting home by 30 lengths. Two subsequent rides on the five-year-old yielded a third place and a pulled up. Richard then returned to his native Ireland where he had some success.
He scored for what looked to have been the final time at Southwell on March 23, 1978, when Levkimmis routed the opposition in the Junction Selling Hurdle, coasting home by 30 lengths. Two subsequent rides on the five-year-old yielded a third place and a pulled up. Richard then returned to his native Ireland where he had some success.
On November 20, 1988, he had two rides at Ayr. The first of them was on the Irish-trained five-year-old Hitchcock who stayed on well to land the Blackhouse Novices’ Hurdle by five lengths. Later in the afternoon he partnered Little Toro, finishing a well beaten third in the Montgomerie Handicap Hurdle.
On November 20, 1988, he had two rides at Ayr. The first of them was on the Irish-trained five-year-old Hitchcock who stayed on well to land the Blackhouse Novices’ Hurdle by five lengths. Later in the afternoon he partnered Little Toro, finishing a well beaten third in the Montgomerie Handicap Hurdle.
Richard O’Donovan’s British wins were, in chronological order:
Richard O’Donovan’s British wins were, in chronological order:
1. Notification, Uttoxeter, December 13, 1973
1. Notification, Uttoxeter, December 13, 1973
2. Vicky Volatile, Stratford-on-Avon, May 31, 1974
2. Vicky Volatile, Stratford-on-Avon, May 31, 1974
3. Hereward, Southwell, October 14, 1974
3. Hereward, Southwell, October 14, 1974
4. Silver Knight, Uttoxeter, November 7, 1974
4. Silver Knight, Uttoxeter, November 7, 1974
5. Trespassing, Wolverhampton, November 25, 1974
5. Trespassing, Wolverhampton, November 25, 1974
6. Master Mint, Southwell, December 2, 1974
6. Master Mint, Southwell, December 2, 1974
7. Master Mint, Uttoxeter, April 26, 1975
7. Master Mint, Uttoxeter, April 26, 1975
8. Gavins Boy, Warwick, September 20, 1975
8. Gavins Boy, Warwick, September 20, 1975
9. The Gun, Stratford-on-Avon, September 27, 1975
9. The Gun, Stratford-on-Avon, September 27, 1975
10. Foresail, Worcester, November 1, 1975
10. Foresail, Worcester, November 1, 1975
11. William The Red, Uttoxeter, December 11, 1975
11. William The Red, Uttoxeter, December 11, 1975
12. Superior Sam, Hereford, March 6, 1976
12. Superior Sam, Hereford, March 6, 1976
13. Mighty Marine, Fontwell Park, September 14, 1976
13. Mighty Marine, Fontwell Park, September 14, 1976
14. Another Dove, Ludlow, November 16, 1976
14. Another Dove, Ludlow, November 16, 1976
15. Skybound, Sandown Park, December 3, 1976
15. Skybound, Sandown Park, December 3, 1976
16. Hiram Maxim, Cheltenham, December, 31, 1976
16. Hiram Maxim, Cheltenham, December, 31, 1976
17. Royal Archer, Bangor-on-Dee, March 26, 1977
17. Royal Archer, Bangor-on-Dee, March 26, 1977
18. Levkimmis, Southwell, March 23, 1978
18. Levkimmis, Southwell, March 23, 1978
19. Hitchcock, Ayr, November 20, 1988
19. Hitchcock, Ayr, November 20, 1988
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse