Liam Ward
By Chris Pitt
By Chris Pitt
Born on May 18, 1930, Liam Ward was the most consistently successful Irish Flat jockey throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He was Ireland’s champion Flat jockey six times: first in 1953, then from 1956-59 inclusive and finally in 1961. Quietly spoken and somewhat reserved in his manner, he was among the most powerful in the saddle. He never attempted to ‘modernise’ his style, riding with leathers longer than the majority of his contemporaries, which made him particularly effective in his handling of two-year-olds.
Born on May 18, 1930, Liam Ward was the most consistently successful Irish Flat jockey throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He was Ireland’s champion Flat jockey six times: first in 1953, then from 1956-59 inclusive and finally in 1961. Quietly spoken and somewhat reserved in his manner, he was among the most powerful in the saddle. He never attempted to ‘modernise’ his style, riding with leathers longer than the majority of his contemporaries, which made him particularly effective in his handling of two-year-olds.
Liam was apprenticed initially to Roderic More O’Ferrall at Kildangan and subsequently to Martin Quirke at Mountjoy Lodge. More O’Ferrall was then married to Anne Biddle, the daughter of a former United States Ambassador to Spain, where her interest in racing began, prior to moving to Ireland.
Liam was apprenticed initially to Roderic More O’Ferrall at Kildangan and subsequently to Martin Quirke at Mountjoy Lodge. More O’Ferrall was then married to Anne Biddle, the daughter of a former United States Ambassador to Spain, where her interest in racing began, prior to moving to Ireland.
He rode his first winner on Andorra, trained by Martin Quirke, in the Beauparc Maiden Plate at Phoenix Park on April 5, 1947.
He rode his first winner on Andorra, trained by Martin Quirke, in the Beauparc Maiden Plate at Phoenix Park on April 5, 1947.
Two of Liam’s early winners as an apprentice were gained on the Hubert Hartigan-trained nine-year-old Slightly Slow, who belied his age and name by winning the nine-furlong Claremont Handicap at Baldoyle and the six-furlong Summer Scurry Handicap at the Curragh in 1947. He achieved his first big race successes at the Curragh in 1950 with Beau Sire, trained by Cecil Brabazon, in the Blandford Stakes, and Ralootown for former champion jockey Morny Wing in the Railway Plate.
Two of Liam’s early winners as an apprentice were gained on the Hubert Hartigan-trained nine-year-old Slightly Slow, who belied his age and name by winning the nine-furlong Claremont Handicap at Baldoyle and the six-furlong Summer Scurry Handicap at the Curragh in 1947. He achieved his first big race successes at the Curragh in 1950 with Beau Sire, trained by Cecil Brabazon, in the Blandford Stakes, and Ralootown for former champion jockey Morny Wing in the Railway Plate.
He rode the first of his ten Irish Classic winners when Do Well gave Morny Wing his biggest training success in the 1951 Irish St Leger. The following year he won the Irish Two Thousand guineas on D.C.M. for trainer Mickey Rogers.
He rode the first of his ten Irish Classic winners when Do Well gave Morny Wing his biggest training success in the 1951 Irish St Leger. The following year he won the Irish Two Thousand guineas on D.C.M. for trainer Mickey Rogers.
Liam succeeded Jimmy Mullane as stable jockey to Paddy Prendergast at Rossmore Lodge in 1954. That same year he registered his first British winner on Prendergast’s two-year-old Democratic in the Chevington Maiden Stakes at Newmarket on October 1, 1954. He rode five winners in Britain in 1955, all of them trained by Prendergast, comprising an Easter Monday double at Birmingham, Kildoon at Ayr in May, and a Haydock double in September, initiated by El-Zahri in the West Lancashire Stakes.
Liam succeeded Jimmy Mullane as stable jockey to Paddy Prendergast at Rossmore Lodge in 1954. That same year he registered his first British winner on Prendergast’s two-year-old Democratic in the Chevington Maiden Stakes at Newmarket on October 1, 1954. He rode five winners in Britain in 1955, all of them trained by Prendergast, comprising an Easter Monday double at Birmingham, Kildoon at Ayr in May, and a Haydock double in September, initiated by El-Zahri in the West Lancashire Stakes.
Liam’s sole British success in 1956 came courtesy of Atlantida, trained Michael Dawson, in the Straitlace Stakes at Manchester on September 7. Dawson was also responsible for Liam’s only British winner of 1957, Milesian, in Manchester’s Salford Borough Handicap. Milesian was owned by Mrs Anne Biddle. Although associated with the Prendergast stable, Liam had nonetheless retained his links with Mrs Biddle when she transferred her horses to Dawson.
Liam’s sole British success in 1956 came courtesy of Atlantida, trained Michael Dawson, in the Straitlace Stakes at Manchester on September 7. Dawson was also responsible for Liam’s only British winner of 1957, Milesian, in Manchester’s Salford Borough Handicap. Milesian was owned by Mrs Anne Biddle. Although associated with the Prendergast stable, Liam had nonetheless retained his links with Mrs Biddle when she transferred her horses to Dawson.
In 1958 he achieved the coveted Irish Derby – Irish Oaks double. He won the Derby on Mrs Biddle’s colt Sindon, who beat Epsom Derby runner-up Paddy’s Point by a short-head. He then added the Oaks on Amante, owned by Prince Aly Khan and trained in France by Alec Head. Liam won another Classic for Mrs Biddle in 1960, landing that year’s Irish One Thousand Guineas on Zenobia.
In 1958 he achieved the coveted Irish Derby – Irish Oaks double. He won the Derby on Mrs Biddle’s colt Sindon, who beat Epsom Derby runner-up Paddy’s Point by a short-head. He then added the Oaks on Amante, owned by Prince Aly Khan and trained in France by Alec Head. Liam won another Classic for Mrs Biddle in 1960, landing that year’s Irish One Thousand Guineas on Zenobia.
On April 4, 1961 Liam returned to Birmingham to ride three horses for Upper Lambourn trainer Major Peter Nelson. Their main hope, Warm Front, was a warm favourite for the opening race, the two-year-old fillies’ maiden, but could finish only sixth of seven. When Zeus Boy only managed third place in the one-mile Warwickshire Handicap, it was beginning to look as though Liam had made a wasted journey. However, the trainer evidently knew something the public didn’t, because Liam’s third mount, Palm Desert, sprang a 33-1 surprise when beating 19 three-year-old rivals in the Tamworth Maiden Plate.
On April 4, 1961 Liam returned to Birmingham to ride three horses for Upper Lambourn trainer Major Peter Nelson. Their main hope, Warm Front, was a warm favourite for the opening race, the two-year-old fillies’ maiden, but could finish only sixth of seven. When Zeus Boy only managed third place in the one-mile Warwickshire Handicap, it was beginning to look as though Liam had made a wasted journey. However, the trainer evidently knew something the public didn’t, because Liam’s third mount, Palm Desert, sprang a 33-1 surprise when beating 19 three-year-old rivals in the Tamworth Maiden Plate.
Liam rode two winners in Britain during 1962, the first being on the final day of York’s Ebor meeting on Friday, August 24, 1962. Riding Mrs Biddle’s three-year-old colt March Wind, he dead-heated with Edward’s Hide’s mount Oakville in the Variety Club of Great Britain Stakes. An hour later, he finished second on 5-1 favourite Matatina in the Billy Butlin Holiday Camp Nursery Handicap, beaten a length by Joe Mercer on 100-7 chance Tumbrel.
Liam rode two winners in Britain during 1962, the first being on the final day of York’s Ebor meeting on Friday, August 24, 1962. Riding Mrs Biddle’s three-year-old colt March Wind, he dead-heated with Edward’s Hide’s mount Oakville in the Variety Club of Great Britain Stakes. An hour later, he finished second on 5-1 favourite Matatina in the Billy Butlin Holiday Camp Nursery Handicap, beaten a length by Joe Mercer on 100-7 chance Tumbrel.
The second of those two wins in 1962 was on Mrs Biddle’s two-year-old colt Ionian, who made all to easily win the Duke of Edinburgh Maiden Stakes at Ascot in October. Though described as a maiden race, it was actually for maidens at closing, so recent winners were eligible to run in it. In today’s racing parlance it would be called a graduation race.
The second of those two wins in 1962 was on Mrs Biddle’s two-year-old colt Ionian, who made all to easily win the Duke of Edinburgh Maiden Stakes at Ascot in October. Though described as a maiden race, it was actually for maidens at closing, so recent winners were eligible to run in it. In today’s racing parlance it would be called a graduation race.
Later that month, Liam picked up a chance ride on the Irish challenger Sicilian Prince, trained by Stuart Murless, which provided him with his greatest overseas success in the Prix Royal Oak (French St Leger), the first foreign-based victory in a French Classic for many years.
Later that month, Liam picked up a chance ride on the Irish challenger Sicilian Prince, trained by Stuart Murless, which provided him with his greatest overseas success in the Prix Royal Oak (French St Leger), the first foreign-based victory in a French Classic for many years.
He finished a short-head second on Ionian in the 1963 English Two Thousand Guineas, being caught in the last stride by Only For Life, the English Guineas winner, ridden by Jimmy Lindley. On the strength of that performance, Ionian went off the 13-8 favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot but could manage only third place behind Crocket and Follow Suit.
He finished a short-head second on Ionian in the 1963 English Two Thousand Guineas, being caught in the last stride by Only For Life, the English Guineas winner, ridden by Jimmy Lindley. On the strength of that performance, Ionian went off the 13-8 favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot but could manage only third place behind Crocket and Follow Suit.
Liam enjoyed the most valuable of all his British wins on Mrs Biddle’s L’Homme Arme in the Ladbroke Gold Cup, a three-year-old handicap on the Thursday of Epsom’s Derby meeting on May 30, 1963. However, later that year, he experienced the other side of the coin when Scissors was controversially disqualified in the Timeform Gold Cup (now the Vertem Futurity) at Doncaster in October. Scissors was adjudged by the stewards to have interfered with the runner-up Pushful, ridden by Harry Carr, and the places were reversed
Liam enjoyed the most valuable of all his British wins on Mrs Biddle’s L’Homme Arme in the Ladbroke Gold Cup, a three-year-old handicap on the Thursday of Epsom’s Derby meeting on May 30, 1963. However, later that year, he experienced the other side of the coin when Scissors was controversially disqualified in the Timeform Gold Cup (now the Vertem Futurity) at Doncaster in October. Scissors was adjudged by the stewards to have interfered with the runner-up Pushful, ridden by Harry Carr, and the places were reversed
That same month he won the Duke of Edinburgh Maiden (at closing) Stakes – held this time at Kempton instead of Ascot – for the second year running on another horse of Mrs Biddle’s, Marco Polo, who emulated Ionian’s achievement of 12 months earlier by making all and winning with something in hand.
That same month he won the Duke of Edinburgh Maiden (at closing) Stakes – held this time at Kempton instead of Ascot – for the second year running on another horse of Mrs Biddle’s, Marco Polo, who emulated Ionian’s achievement of 12 months earlier by making all and winning with something in hand.
With the departure of Australian jockeys Garnie Bougoure, Pat Glennon and Jack Purtell by the mid-1960s, Liam entered into an informal agreement with trainer Vincent O’Brien to ride his runners in Ireland. With the powerful Ballydoyle stable behind him, Liam became almost invincible at the Curragh over the next five years. He gained his first Classic success for O’Brien on Aurabella in the 1965 Irish Oaks and followed that with victory in the 1966 Irish St Leger on White Gloves.
With the departure of Australian jockeys Garnie Bougoure, Pat Glennon and Jack Purtell by the mid-1960s, Liam entered into an informal agreement with trainer Vincent O’Brien to ride his runners in Ireland. With the powerful Ballydoyle stable behind him, Liam became almost invincible at the Curragh over the next five years. He gained his first Classic success for O’Brien on Aurabella in the 1965 Irish Oaks and followed that with victory in the 1966 Irish St Leger on White Gloves.
Liam rode a total of 20 winners on his occasional visits to Britain, the last of them on Paddy Prendergast’s two-year-old colt The Viscount at Ayr’s Western Meeting on September 21, 1967. Five days earlier he’d ridden another two-year-old to win the National Stakes at the Curragh. That one was trained by Vincent O’Brien. His name was Sir Ivor.
Liam rode a total of 20 winners on his occasional visits to Britain, the last of them on Paddy Prendergast’s two-year-old colt The Viscount at Ayr’s Western Meeting on September 21, 1967. Five days earlier he’d ridden another two-year-old to win the National Stakes at the Curragh. That one was trained by Vincent O’Brien. His name was Sir Ivor.
Under the arrangement with O’Brien, Lester Piggott rode the stable’s horses in Britain. Thus, it was Lester who guided Sir Ivor to win the 1968 Two Thousand Guineas and Derby. Liam duly had the mount in the Irish Derby, the first one to be started from stalls. Sir Ivor was backed down to 3-1 on and looked a stone-cold certainty. However, O’Brien’s observation that it was better to have Lester riding for you than against you was proved only too true, for it was Piggott who brought his mount Ribero through to win, passing the post two lengths ahead of Sir Ivor.
Under the arrangement with O’Brien, Lester Piggott rode the stable’s horses in Britain. Thus, it was Lester who guided Sir Ivor to win the 1968 Two Thousand Guineas and Derby. Liam duly had the mount in the Irish Derby, the first one to be started from stalls. Sir Ivor was backed down to 3-1 on and looked a stone-cold certainty. However, O’Brien’s observation that it was better to have Lester riding for you than against you was proved only too true, for it was Piggott who brought his mount Ribero through to win, passing the post two lengths ahead of Sir Ivor.
Liam and O’Brien were able to put the Sir Ivor disappointment behind them in 1969 when winning the Irish Oaks with Gaia and the Irish St Leger with Reindeer, the latter being chased home by subsequent prolific National Hunt sire Deep Run. But by far the best horse Liam rode that year was the two-year-old Njinksky. Together they won four races including the Railway Stakes, Anglesey Stakes and Beresford Stakes, all top Irish juvenile contests, before Lester took over and guided Nijinsky to an effortless victory in the Dewhurst at Newmarket.
Liam and O’Brien were able to put the Sir Ivor disappointment behind them in 1969 when winning the Irish Oaks with Gaia and the Irish St Leger with Reindeer, the latter being chased home by subsequent prolific National Hunt sire Deep Run. But by far the best horse Liam rode that year was the two-year-old Njinksky. Together they won four races including the Railway Stakes, Anglesey Stakes and Beresford Stakes, all top Irish juvenile contests, before Lester took over and guided Nijinsky to an effortless victory in the Dewhurst at Newmarket.
Liam rode Nijinsky to win his first race at three, the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh in April, then Lester was reunited with him to win the English Two Thousand Guineas and Derby. Liam was back in the saddle next time to avenge the memory of Sir Ivor by winning Irish Derby, giving him his tenth and final Classic victory. Lester then rode Nijinsky to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes before completing the Classic Triple Crown in the St Leger.
Liam rode Nijinsky to win his first race at three, the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh in April, then Lester was reunited with him to win the English Two Thousand Guineas and Derby. Liam was back in the saddle next time to avenge the memory of Sir Ivor by winning Irish Derby, giving him his tenth and final Classic victory. Lester then rode Nijinsky to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes before completing the Classic Triple Crown in the St Leger.
By then, Liam was nearing the end of his career. His last notable successes came in 1971, winning two Group 3 races, the Curragh Stakes for Hugh Nugent-on Mirraglo and the Park Stakes on Al-Burak for Paddy Prendergast. He finished third in that year’s Irish Derby on the Prendergast-trained Guillemot.
By then, Liam was nearing the end of his career. His last notable successes came in 1971, winning two Group 3 races, the Curragh Stakes for Hugh Nugent-on Mirraglo and the Park Stakes on Al-Burak for Paddy Prendergast. He finished third in that year’s Irish Derby on the Prendergast-trained Guillemot.
Liam registered the last win of his career on Vincent O’Brien’s two-year-old filly Cambrienne in the Laidlaw Perpetual Maiden Challenge Cup at Leopardstown on October 23, 1971. He finished third on his final ride, Belle Reine in the Majetta Handicap at Naas on November 6, the last day of the 1971 season.
Liam registered the last win of his career on Vincent O’Brien’s two-year-old filly Cambrienne in the Laidlaw Perpetual Maiden Challenge Cup at Leopardstown on October 23, 1971. He finished third on his final ride, Belle Reine in the Majetta Handicap at Naas on November 6, the last day of the 1971 season.
Following his retirement. Liam concentrated his energies on his Ashleigh Stud near Dublin, where he and his wife, Jackie, achieved notable success, particularly with the produce of their broodmare Zanzara.
Following his retirement. Liam concentrated his energies on his Ashleigh Stud near Dublin, where he and his wife, Jackie, achieved notable success, particularly with the produce of their broodmare Zanzara.
By the start of the millennium, Liam had cut back on his bloodstock interests and his main connection with racing was as a racecourse steward, being chairman of the panel at Naas and also doing duty at the Curragh and Leopardstown. He was occasionally called upon to sit on various appeals and referral committees when required.
By the start of the millennium, Liam had cut back on his bloodstock interests and his main connection with racing was as a racecourse steward, being chairman of the panel at Naas and also doing duty at the Curragh and Leopardstown. He was occasionally called upon to sit on various appeals and referral committees when required.
In his spare time he enjoyed going fishing, even making occasional forays to Scotland, not all that far from Ayr’s racecourse, the place where he’d won a race on Kildoon half a century earlier.
In his spare time he enjoyed going fishing, even making occasional forays to Scotland, not all that far from Ayr’s racecourse, the place where he’d won a race on Kildoon half a century earlier.
Liam Ward died on October 3, 2022, aged 92.
Liam Ward died on October 3, 2022, aged 92.
Liam Ward’s big winners were:
Liam Ward’s big winners were:
Irish Two Thousand Guineas: D.C.M. (1952)
Irish Two Thousand Guineas: D.C.M. (1952)
Irish One Thousand Guineas: Zenobia (1960)
Irish One Thousand Guineas: Zenobia (1960)
Irish Derby: Sindon (1958), Nijinsky (1970)
Irish Derby: Sindon (1958), Nijinsky (1970)
Irish Oaks: Amante (1958), Aurabella (1965), Gaia (1969)
Irish Oaks: Amante (1958), Aurabella (1965), Gaia (1969)
Irish St Leger: Do Well (1951), White Gloves (1966), Reindeer (1969)
Irish St Leger: Do Well (1951), White Gloves (1966), Reindeer (1969)
Prix Royal Oak: Sicilian Prince (1962)
Prix Royal Oak: Sicilian Prince (1962)
Irish Champion Stakes: Do Well (1951), March Wind (1962)
Irish Champion Stakes: Do Well (1951), March Wind (1962)
Pretty Polly Stakes: Atlantida (1956), Iskereen (1967), Rimark (1968)
Pretty Polly Stakes: Atlantida (1956), Iskereen (1967), Rimark (1968)
National Stakes: Mystery (1961), Partholon (1962), Sir Ivor (1967)
National Stakes: Mystery (1961), Partholon (1962), Sir Ivor (1967)
Railway Stakes: Ralootown (1950), Princess Marie (1958), Sahib (1968), Nijinsky (1969), Minsky (1970)
Railway Stakes: Ralootown (1950), Princess Marie (1958), Sahib (1968), Nijinsky (1969), Minsky (1970)
Anglesey Stakes: Engulfed (1951), Blue Label (1952), Sixpence (1953), Daffodil (1957), Indian Conquest (1960), Nijinsky (1969), Headlamp (1970)
Anglesey Stakes: Engulfed (1951), Blue Label (1952), Sixpence (1953), Daffodil (1957), Indian Conquest (1960), Nijinsky (1969), Headlamp (1970)
Tetrarch Stakes: Milesian (1956), Harry (1968), Sahib (1969)
Tetrarch Stakes: Milesian (1956), Harry (1968), Sahib (1969)
Beresford Stakes: Kildoon (1953), Carezza (1955), Scissors (1963), Hibernian (1967), Nijinsky (1969), Minsky (1970)
Beresford Stakes: Kildoon (1953), Carezza (1955), Scissors (1963), Hibernian (1967), Nijinsky (1969), Minsky (1970)
Athasi Stakes: Atlantida (1956), Rimark (1968), Miralife (1970)
Athasi Stakes: Atlantida (1956), Rimark (1968), Miralife (1970)
Ballymoss Stakes: White Gloves (1967), Selko (1969)
Ballymoss Stakes: White Gloves (1967), Selko (1969)
Phoenix Plate: Sixpence (1953)
Phoenix Plate: Sixpence (1953)
Gallinule Stakes: Royal Avenue (1961), Onandaga (1969)
Gallinule Stakes: Royal Avenue (1961), Onandaga (1969)
Blandford Stakes: Beau Sire (1950), Do Well (1951), Jongleur (1956), Wenona (1968), Riboprince (1970)
Blandford Stakes: Beau Sire (1950), Do Well (1951), Jongleur (1956), Wenona (1968), Riboprince (1970)
Curragh Stakes: Supernatural (1970), Mirraglo (1971)
Curragh Stakes: Supernatural (1970), Mirraglo (1971)
Desmond Stakes: Clonleason (1953), Jongleur (1956), White Gloves (1966, 1967), Reindeer (1969)
Desmond Stakes: Clonleason (1953), Jongleur (1956), White Gloves (1966, 1967), Reindeer (1969)
Larkspur Stakes: Hespero (1966), Ballygoran (1967)
Larkspur Stakes: Hespero (1966), Ballygoran (1967)
Madrid Plate: Anglirish (1953)
Madrid Plate: Anglirish (1953)
Gladness Stakes: Western Wind (1965), Nijinsky (1970)
Gladness Stakes: Western Wind (1965), Nijinsky (1970)
Trigo Stakes: L’Homme Arme (1964)
Trigo Stakes: L’Homme Arme (1964)
Royal Whip Stakes: Jongleur (1956), Reindeer (1970)
Royal Whip Stakes: Jongleur (1956), Reindeer (1970)
Park Stakes: Another Daughter (1968), Al-Burak (1971)
Park Stakes: Another Daughter (1968), Al-Burak (1971)
Irish Cambridgeshire: Vaquero (1956), Hibernian (1968)
Irish Cambridgeshire: Vaquero (1956), Hibernian (1968)
Irish Cesarewitch: Havasnack (1958), Another Flash (1959)
Irish Cesarewitch: Havasnack (1958), Another Flash (1959)
Rockingham Handicap: Milesian (1957), Half Time (1958), Irish Gambol (1961, dead-heat)
Rockingham Handicap: Milesian (1957), Half Time (1958), Irish Gambol (1961, dead-heat)