Tim Ryan
1936 - 1994
1936 - 1994
Timothy Joseph Ryan was born in Tipperary on April 16, 1936. He was christened Tiage but later changed his name to Timothy.
Timothy Joseph Ryan was born in Tipperary on April 16, 1936. He was christened Tiage but later changed his name to Timothy.
He was apprenticed to Tim Hyde and Charlie Chute in Ireland before coming to Britain. He rode his first winner on George Vergette’s selling chaser Coltan (right) at Birmingham on December 13, 1955.
He was apprenticed to Tim Hyde and Charlie Chute in Ireland before coming to Britain. He rode his first winner on George Vergette’s selling chaser Coltan (right) at Birmingham on December 13, 1955.
The following season, 1956/57, he rode nine winners, the highlight being a hat-trick on the Tuesday of Uttoxeter’s Easter meeting, on maiden hurdler Nolan’s Hill, Honorless in the Ingestre Challenge Cup Chase, and handicap hurdler Misty Devil, losing his 7lb claim in the process.
The following season, 1956/57, he rode nine winners, the highlight being a hat-trick on the Tuesday of Uttoxeter’s Easter meeting, on maiden hurdler Nolan’s Hill, Honorless in the Ingestre Challenge Cup Chase, and handicap hurdler Misty Devil, losing his 7lb claim in the process.
On June 15, 1957, he married Patricia Kidney, daughter of former National Hunt jockey Bill Kidney, who had finished runner-up on 100/1 shot Jack Finlay in the 1946 Grand National. She bore him a son, Nicholas, and a daughter, Sally.
On June 15, 1957, he married Patricia Kidney, daughter of former National Hunt jockey Bill Kidney, who had finished runner-up on 100/1 shot Jack Finlay in the 1946 Grand National. She bore him a son, Nicholas, and a daughter, Sally.
Tim, who listed his recreations as football and fishing, rode a career-best 12 winners in the 1959/60 campaign, including a second treble, at Market Rasen on Boxing Day, aboard selling hurdler Kathiawar, novice chaser Wollaton Vale, and the Spencer-Draper Challenge Cup Handicap Chase on Chocolate House.
Tim, who listed his recreations as football and fishing, rode a career-best 12 winners in the 1959/60 campaign, including a second treble, at Market Rasen on Boxing Day, aboard selling hurdler Kathiawar, novice chaser Wollaton Vale, and the Spencer-Draper Challenge Cup Handicap Chase on Chocolate House.
He lived at Waltham-on-the-Wold, near Melton Mowbray, and went on to become a ‘regular fixture’ around the Midlands tracks during the 1960s, although only once reaching double figures, with ten winners in the 1962/63 season.
He lived at Waltham-on-the-Wold, near Melton Mowbray, and went on to become a ‘regular fixture’ around the Midlands tracks during the 1960s, although only once reaching double figures, with ten winners in the 1962/63 season.
He rode in three Grand Nationals, completing the course when last of 17 finishers on Clear Profit in 1962, and coming home a creditable eighth on French Lawyer in 1963, having led from Valentine’s second time round until approaching two out.
He rode in three Grand Nationals, completing the course when last of 17 finishers on Clear Profit in 1962, and coming home a creditable eighth on French Lawyer in 1963, having led from Valentine’s second time round until approaching two out.
Although essentially Midlands-based, Tim did have the occasional foray south, such as when scoring on Ginger Dennistoun’s juvenile hurdler Reshine at Plumpton on November 3, 1965.
Although essentially Midlands-based, Tim did have the occasional foray south, such as when scoring on Ginger Dennistoun’s juvenile hurdler Reshine at Plumpton on November 3, 1965.
He rode 82 winners in total and, once retired, he became a publican.
He rode 82 winners in total and, once retired, he became a publican.
Tim Ryan died on January 27, 1994. aged 57. He was buried in Waltham Parish Church.
Tim Ryan died on January 27, 1994. aged 57. He was buried in Waltham Parish Church.