Embedded Files
Pat Sherry
Pat Sherry
1923-1997
1923-1997
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Patrick Michael Sherry was an Irish jockey who came to Britain following a few wins in the early 1940s and added two more.
Patrick Michael Sherry was an Irish jockey who came to Britain following a few wins in the early 1940s and added two more.
Born in 1923, one of his earliest victories was at Galway on July 30, 1941, when his mount Desmond Morgan dead-heated with Tommy McNeill on Silver Fizz at the end of the Salthill Handicap Hurdle. Five days later he won a match for the Shankill Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown on Blow Soft, defeating Micky Gordon on the 3/1 on favourite Archie’s Pride.
Born in 1923, one of his earliest victories was at Galway on July 30, 1941, when his mount Desmond Morgan dead-heated with Tommy McNeill on Silver Fizz at the end of the Salthill Handicap Hurdle. Five days later he won a match for the Shankill Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown on Blow Soft, defeating Micky Gordon on the 3/1 on favourite Archie’s Pride.
He finished sixth aboard 33/1shot Brown Joker in the 1943 Irish Grand National.
He finished sixth aboard 33/1shot Brown Joker in the 1943 Irish Grand National.
Pat’s first ride in Britain was at Hereford on October 26, 1946, when Pippins Lovely finished second in the Three Years Old Hurdle, beaten ten lengths by Mike Moran on Stormy Petrel. Both were running over hurdles for the first time, as was Ladies Beware who came out four days later to land the Three Years Old Hurdle at Newport, providing Pat with his first win in Britain.
Pat’s first ride in Britain was at Hereford on October 26, 1946, when Pippins Lovely finished second in the Three Years Old Hurdle, beaten ten lengths by Mike Moran on Stormy Petrel. Both were running over hurdles for the first time, as was Ladies Beware who came out four days later to land the Three Years Old Hurdle at Newport, providing Pat with his first win in Britain.
More than a year passed before Pat had his other victory when Middy’s Charm, trained by Tom Morgan, finished strongly to land the Novices’ Chase (Division 2) at Sandown Park on November 28, 1947. The six-year-old was making her British debut and had not run since Boxing Day the previous year, but she beat High Heels II by three lengths.
More than a year passed before Pat had his other victory when Middy’s Charm, trained by Tom Morgan, finished strongly to land the Novices’ Chase (Division 2) at Sandown Park on November 28, 1947. The six-year-old was making her British debut and had not run since Boxing Day the previous year, but she beat High Heels II by three lengths.
It was back at Newport that Pat had his final ride in Britain when pulling up on Pampas Star in the Novices’ Hurdle on Saturday, May 15, 1948. That was not only Pat’s last ride but also the final meeting held at Newport. It was a two-day fixture with Saturday featuring the Welsh Champion Hurdle, won by Hadji with Dicky Black in the saddle. The final day, Monday, May 17, saw Tommy Cross register a double on Grecian Victory and Rapid Rise.
It was back at Newport that Pat had his final ride in Britain when pulling up on Pampas Star in the Novices’ Hurdle on Saturday, May 15, 1948. That was not only Pat’s last ride but also the final meeting held at Newport. It was a two-day fixture with Saturday featuring the Welsh Champion Hurdle, won by Hadji with Dicky Black in the saddle. The final day, Monday, May 17, saw Tommy Cross register a double on Grecian Victory and Rapid Rise.
Newport staged pony racing for a brief period in 1949. It only lasted a few months, with the course being rumoured to be close to bankruptcy.
Newport staged pony racing for a brief period in 1949. It only lasted a few months, with the course being rumoured to be close to bankruptcy.
It is not known whether Pat Sherry returned to Ireland following that last ride at Newport but, if he did, he had no further wins. He died in 1997.
It is not known whether Pat Sherry returned to Ireland following that last ride at Newport but, if he did, he had no further wins. He died in 1997.
One of Pat's earliest wins
Pat's first win in England
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse