Tony Scannell
Tony Scannell
Tony Scannell
Anthony O. Scannell, known as Tony, was a leading amateur rider in Ireland during the immediate post-war years. He achieved his greatest success in the Galway Hurdle and partnered Loyal Antrim in the 1949 Grand National.
Anthony O. Scannell, known as Tony, was a leading amateur rider in Ireland during the immediate post-war years. He achieved his greatest success in the Galway Hurdle and partnered Loyal Antrim in the 1949 Grand National.
He came into racing via the traditional route of show jumping at point-to-points and rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on All Shell in the Greenpark Chase at Limerick on 17 March 1944.
He came into racing via the traditional route of show jumping at point-to-points and rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on All Shell in the Greenpark Chase at Limerick on 17 March 1944.
His wins in 1945 included Golden Rust in the John Peel Hunters’ Chase at Thurles in March, the Mallow Hunters’ Chase at that course in April, and, more importantly, the Kildare Hunt Handicap Chase at the big Punchestown meeting on Law Breaker.
His wins in 1945 included Golden Rust in the John Peel Hunters’ Chase at Thurles in March, the Mallow Hunters’ Chase at that course in April, and, more importantly, the Kildare Hunt Handicap Chase at the big Punchestown meeting on Law Breaker.
He rode 13 winners in 1947, which included the National Hunt Cup at Powerstown Park (known today as Clonmel) on Hottonea; and a double at Punchestown on 30 April, landing the Bishopscourt Cup aboard Ready Cash II and the Kildare Hunt Open Handicap Chase on Gold Bounty. He also finished second in the same day’s feature race, the Conyngham Cup.
He rode 13 winners in 1947, which included the National Hunt Cup at Powerstown Park (known today as Clonmel) on Hottonea; and a double at Punchestown on 30 April, landing the Bishopscourt Cup aboard Ready Cash II and the Kildare Hunt Open Handicap Chase on Gold Bounty. He also finished second in the same day’s feature race, the Conyngham Cup.
In July that year, he won Killarney’s Innisfallen Chase on Hottonea and then recorded his most important victory on Point d’Atout in the Galway Hurdle.
In July that year, he won Killarney’s Innisfallen Chase on Hottonea and then recorded his most important victory on Point d’Atout in the Galway Hurdle.
Such was the esteem in which he was regarded that the great Corinthian Lord Mildmay called upon Tony to deputise for him on Roscar in the 1948 Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase. However, they were among the many fallers in that year’s race.
Such was the esteem in which he was regarded that the great Corinthian Lord Mildmay called upon Tony to deputise for him on Roscar in the 1948 Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase. However, they were among the many fallers in that year’s race.
He rode 50-1 chance Loyal Antrim in the 1949 Grand National and got as far as the 27th fence before the 12-year-old fell.
He rode 50-1 chance Loyal Antrim in the 1949 Grand National and got as far as the 27th fence before the 12-year-old fell.
When interviewed in the Irish Field in 1960, Tony remarked that he had long since lost count of the number of winners he had ridden under rules and between the flags.
When interviewed in the Irish Field in 1960, Tony remarked that he had long since lost count of the number of winners he had ridden under rules and between the flags.
On Tuesday, 24 April 1945, Tony brought off a shock result when he won the Kildare Hunt Handicap Chase at Punchestown on 50-1 outsider Law Breaker.
Tony Scannell's biggest victory came on Point D'Atout in the Galway Hurdle on August 1, 1947
Tony Scannell's biggest victory came on Point D'Atout in the Galway Hurdle on August 1, 1947
Young Tony Scannell winning a prize at the Cork Horse Show in 1940
Young Tony Scannell winning a prize at the Cork Horse Show in 1940