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Pat Roche
Pat Roche
Tipperary-born Patrick Joseph Roche served his time with Paddy Prendergast and rode 13 winners in Ireland before coming to England in 1962 and joining Epsom trainer John Benstead. In 1964 he broke a leg while riding work.
Tipperary-born Patrick Joseph Roche served his time with Paddy Prendergast and rode 13 winners in Ireland before coming to England in 1962 and joining Epsom trainer John Benstead. In 1964 he broke a leg while riding work.
He had 22 rides on the Flat before finally breaking his duck in England, aged 20, when the three-year-old Marlhurst, trained by Benstead, won the Goring Maiden Stakes at Brighton on May 18, 1965, beating Rogada, the mount of Edgar ‘Spider’ Davies, by a length and a half. Pat did not keep the ride and it proved to be his sole English success on the Flat.
He had 22 rides on the Flat before finally breaking his duck in England, aged 20, when the three-year-old Marlhurst, trained by Benstead, won the Goring Maiden Stakes at Brighton on May 18, 1965, beating Rogada, the mount of Edgar ‘Spider’ Davies, by a length and a half. Pat did not keep the ride and it proved to be his sole English success on the Flat.
On January 7, 1966 he made his first start under National Hunt rules when Nuclear Grey finished ninth of 19 runners in the Cardinal Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park. He recorded his only win over jumps on March 28 of that year when the four-year-old Night-Shirt, also trained by John Benstead, got the better of a prolonged duel with Funton, ridden by top amateur Nick Gaselee, to land the Pevensey Hurdle (Division 2) at Plumpton.
On January 7, 1966 he made his first start under National Hunt rules when Nuclear Grey finished ninth of 19 runners in the Cardinal Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park. He recorded his only win over jumps on March 28 of that year when the four-year-old Night-Shirt, also trained by John Benstead, got the better of a prolonged duel with Funton, ridden by top amateur Nick Gaselee, to land the Pevensey Hurdle (Division 2) at Plumpton.
Pat retained the ride but the horse only had two more starts that season, both unplaced. The second of these was at Fontwell Park on April 28, when Night-Shirt led until three flights from home in the Bracklesham Handicap Hurdle (Division 1) before fading to finish eighth. That was Pat’s final ride.
Pat retained the ride but the horse only had two more starts that season, both unplaced. The second of these was at Fontwell Park on April 28, when Night-Shirt led until three flights from home in the Bracklesham Handicap Hurdle (Division 1) before fading to finish eighth. That was Pat’s final ride.
Pat Roche's first English winner: Marlhurst at Brighton, May 18, 1965
Pat Roche's first English winner: Marlhurst at Brighton, May 18, 1965
Pat's only win over hurdles: Night-shirt at Plumpton on 28 March 1966
Pat's only win over hurdles: Night-shirt at Plumpton on 28 March 1966
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