Winnie O'Connor
Winnie O’Connor
1881-1947
American jockey Winfield Scott O’Connor, better known as Winnie O’Connor, was born in Brooklyn in 1881, the son of a retired New York stockbroker. Having already made his name in his home country, he came to Europe in 1902 to ride for Baron Alphonse de Rothschild. He was employed by the Baron on an exclusive three-year contract for a fee of £7,000, a huge retainer for the time.
American jockey Winfield Scott O’Connor, better known as Winnie O’Connor, was born in Brooklyn in 1881, the son of a retired New York stockbroker. Having already made his name in his home country, he came to Europe in 1902 to ride for Baron Alphonse de Rothschild. He was employed by the Baron on an exclusive three-year contract for a fee of £7,000, a huge retainer for the time.
Based in France, he won several important races for his employer. They included the 1903 Prix du Cadran on Astronome II, the 1904 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches on Xvlene and the 1904 Prix de Newmarket on Monsieur Charvet. During a second stint there, he won the 1911 Prix du Conseil Municipal on Bosse Pointe.
Based in France, he won several important races for his employer. They included the 1903 Prix du Cadran on Astronome II, the 1904 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches on Xvlene and the 1904 Prix de Newmarket on Monsieur Charvet. During a second stint there, he won the 1911 Prix du Conseil Municipal on Bosse Pointe.
Although Winnie only had a few rides in England, mostly on the Flat, he did win the prestigious 1913 Liverpool Hurdle on the French-trained Clin d’Oeil.
Although Winnie only had a few rides in England, mostly on the Flat, he did win the prestigious 1913 Liverpool Hurdle on the French-trained Clin d’Oeil.
His first ride under National Hunt rules had been 12 days earlier when partnering another French raider, Trianon III, a distant eighth in the Lancashire Chase at Manchester on Easter Monday. He rode Trianon III in that year’s (1913) Grand National, falling at Valentine’s. However, the following day he produced Clin d’Oeil with a late run to catch Hitman, ridden by Fred Butchers, and win the Liverpool Hurdle by three-quarters of a length. Later that afternoon he rode Trianon III for a second time over the Liverpool fences, this time in the Champion Chase, but they were again among the fallers.
His first ride under National Hunt rules had been 12 days earlier when partnering another French raider, Trianon III, a distant eighth in the Lancashire Chase at Manchester on Easter Monday. He rode Trianon III in that year’s (1913) Grand National, falling at Valentine’s. However, the following day he produced Clin d’Oeil with a late run to catch Hitman, ridden by Fred Butchers, and win the Liverpool Hurdle by three-quarters of a length. Later that afternoon he rode Trianon III for a second time over the Liverpool fences, this time in the Champion Chase, but they were again among the fallers.
Winnie rode more than 2,500 winners before ending his career in France in 1923. He retired a wealthy man but, unfortunately, invested all his fortune in real estate and lost it all in the Wall Street Crash. He was married twice, both times to actresses.
Winnie rode more than 2,500 winners before ending his career in France in 1923. He retired a wealthy man but, unfortunately, invested all his fortune in real estate and lost it all in the Wall Street Crash. He was married twice, both times to actresses.
Somewhat sadly, after a great career, finished up as a bartender working on the Sportsman Specials which ran between Penn Station and Florida.
Somewhat sadly, after a great career, finished up as a bartender working on the Sportsman Specials which ran between Penn Station and Florida.
Winnie O’Connor died in Brooklyn on March 6, 1947, aged 66.
Winnie O’Connor died in Brooklyn on March 6, 1947, aged 66.