Tommy Stack
Tommy Brendan Stack was born in Moyvane, Ireland, on 15 November, 1945, and was educated in Jesuit College.
Tommy Brendan Stack was born in Moyvane, Ireland, on 15 November, 1945, and was educated in Jesuit College.
Tommy started out as an insurance clerk in Dublin before quitting to work at the yard run by the father of Barry Brogan, an old school friend of Tommy's.
Tommy started out as an insurance clerk in Dublin before quitting to work at the yard run by the father of Barry Brogan, an old school friend of Tommy's.
He left at the age of 19 to join the staff of Yorkshire trainer Bobby Renton. When Renton retired at 83, Tommy took over the Ripon stable as both trainer and jockey.
He left at the age of 19 to join the staff of Yorkshire trainer Bobby Renton. When Renton retired at 83, Tommy took over the Ripon stable as both trainer and jockey.
This did not last long: top trainer W A Stephenson came knocking. Tommy became his stable jockey and, in the 1974-5 season, became champion jockey.
This did not last long: top trainer W A Stephenson came knocking. Tommy became his stable jockey and, in the 1974-5 season, became champion jockey.
In 1977, Tommy was re-associated with Red Rum He had ridden him before, as a six-year-old when trained by Bobby Renton. Red Rum had already won the National twice. Tommy and 'Rummy' made history that afternoon as Red Rum became the first horse to win the race three times.
In 1977, Tommy was re-associated with Red Rum He had ridden him before, as a six-year-old when trained by Bobby Renton. Red Rum had already won the National twice. Tommy and 'Rummy' made history that afternoon as Red Rum became the first horse to win the race three times.
He became champion National Hunt jockey of Britain in the 1974/75 season with 82 winners and again in 1976/77 with 97.
He became champion National Hunt jockey of Britain in the 1974/75 season with 82 winners and again in 1976/77 with 97.
In May,1978, Tommy, aged 32, announced his retirement from the saddle. His 602 winners included a Grand National, the Whitbread Gold Cup and the Schweppes Gold Trophy.
In May,1978, Tommy, aged 32, announced his retirement from the saddle. His 602 winners included a Grand National, the Whitbread Gold Cup and the Schweppes Gold Trophy.
Tommy took out a trainer's licence in 1986 and sent out several good winners from his stable at Thomastown Castle. Co Tipperary including Las Meninas (1994 1,000 Guinea), Tarascon (1998 Irish 1,000 Guineas) and Kostroma (Beverly D Stakes).
Tommy took out a trainer's licence in 1986 and sent out several good winners from his stable at Thomastown Castle. Co Tipperary including Las Meninas (1994 1,000 Guinea), Tarascon (1998 Irish 1,000 Guineas) and Kostroma (Beverly D Stakes).
In December, 1998, he was rushed to Cork County Hospital critically ill with a viral infection. Following his recovery, he had further International success with Myboycharlie (Prix Morny) and Alexander Tango (Garden City Stakes).
In December, 1998, he was rushed to Cork County Hospital critically ill with a viral infection. Following his recovery, he had further International success with Myboycharlie (Prix Morny) and Alexander Tango (Garden City Stakes).
Grand National winner: Red Rum (1977)
Grand National winner: Red Rum (1977)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1966: Grand Annual Handicap Chase – Well Packed
1966: Grand Annual Handicap Chase – Well Packed
1968: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – Half Awake
1968: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – Half Awake
1972: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – Young Ash Leaf
1972: Greenall Whitley Handicap Chase – Young Ash Leaf
1972: Rowland Meyrick Chase – Jomon
1972: Rowland Meyrick Chase – Jomon
1973: Rowland Meyrick Chase – Tartan Ace
1973: Rowland Meyrick Chase – Tartan Ace
1975: Rowland Meyrick Chase – The Gent
1975: Rowland Meyrick Chase – The Gent
1976: Charlie Hall Chase – Set Point (dead-heat)
1976: Charlie Hall Chase – Set Point (dead-heat)
1977: Schweppes Gold Trophy – True Lad
1977: Schweppes Gold Trophy – True Lad
1977: Grand Annual Handicap Chase – Tom Morgan
1977: Grand Annual Handicap Chase – Tom Morgan
1978: Whitbread Gold Cup – Strombolus
1978: Whitbread Gold Cup – Strombolus