Lorcan Wyer
Lorcan Wyer had ridden 599 winners when he announced his retirement from the saddle.
Lorcan Wyer had ridden 599 winners when he announced his retirement from the saddle.
It was no easy decision. Riding for the Easterbys at the time, it meant giving up the ride on the brilliant Barton, for one.
It was no easy decision. Riding for the Easterbys at the time, it meant giving up the ride on the brilliant Barton, for one.
(Winning on Barton at Cheltenham in 1999 was the highlight of his career.)
(Winning on Barton at Cheltenham in 1999 was the highlight of his career.)
Lorcan explained: 'I didn't want to spoil things. I'd had a good innings with them and felt I should go before them having to ask me to leave.'
Lorcan explained: 'I didn't want to spoil things. I'd had a good innings with them and felt I should go before them having to ask me to leave.'
Not that his body would have taken much more punishment.
Not that his body would have taken much more punishment.
Lorcan had been plagued with injuries, a particularly bad one occurring in the winter of 1996. Falling from Thornton Gate at Liverpool, his face was then stepped on by a following horse. Both cheekbones and both eye-sockets were severely damaged - he also fractured his pelvis and broke his collarbone. He was rushed to nearby Walton Hospital.
Lorcan had been plagued with injuries, a particularly bad one occurring in the winter of 1996. Falling from Thornton Gate at Liverpool, his face was then stepped on by a following horse. Both cheekbones and both eye-sockets were severely damaged - he also fractured his pelvis and broke his collarbone. He was rushed to nearby Walton Hospital.
There the surgeons cut him open from ear to ear across the top of his head, pulled the skin back down and basically rebuilt his face.
There the surgeons cut him open from ear to ear across the top of his head, pulled the skin back down and basically rebuilt his face.
Tim Easterby, paying tribute to his departing jockey said: 'He's been an absolutely wonderful stable jockey and has been 100% reliable. He has had more than his fair share of injuries but must have a great constitution as he always bounced back.
Tim Easterby, paying tribute to his departing jockey said: 'He's been an absolutely wonderful stable jockey and has been 100% reliable. He has had more than his fair share of injuries but must have a great constitution as he always bounced back.
Born on November 14, 1964, his love of race riding began as a child in Dublin when a local trainer, Frank Oakes, asked if he could use the few redundant stables at the back of the house in which Lorcan lived.
Born on November 14, 1964, his love of race riding began as a child in Dublin when a local trainer, Frank Oakes, asked if he could use the few redundant stables at the back of the house in which Lorcan lived.
The son of a furniture manufacturer, Lorcan was soon riding out for Mr Oakes before school and at the weekends.
The son of a furniture manufacturer, Lorcan was soon riding out for Mr Oakes before school and at the weekends.
Indeed, the first ride the would-be jockey ever had in public was on the beach at Laytown riding one of his horses.
Indeed, the first ride the would-be jockey ever had in public was on the beach at Laytown riding one of his horses.
Lorcan's first winner had been Champion Prince at Navan in July 1984.
Lorcan's first winner had been Champion Prince at Navan in July 1984.
The pair won a further three races in succession bring Lorcan to the attention of other trainers.
The pair won a further three races in succession bring Lorcan to the attention of other trainers.
It was a further two years before he took his first ride in Britain, at Chepstow in March, 1986, when, on Canute Express, he won the Racing Posr Hurdle. Four days later he rode Omerta to an easy win in the National Hunt Chase. Both horses were trained by Homer Scott and both races had been televised. It was a good introduction to English racing for Lorcan.
It was a further two years before he took his first ride in Britain, at Chepstow in March, 1986, when, on Canute Express, he won the Racing Posr Hurdle. Four days later he rode Omerta to an easy win in the National Hunt Chase. Both horses were trained by Homer Scott and both races had been televised. It was a good introduction to English racing for Lorcan.
He bettered it with a televised double on Grand National day. First he won on Jobroke in an amateur's hurdle and followed it up with another win on Canute Express.
He bettered it with a televised double on Grand National day. First he won on Jobroke in an amateur's hurdle and followed it up with another win on Canute Express.
Now the British trainers were beginning to take more note of the young Irishman: when a call came from Tim & Peter Easterby asking him to join them, he couldn't get to their stables quick enough.
Now the British trainers were beginning to take more note of the young Irishman: when a call came from Tim & Peter Easterby asking him to join them, he couldn't get to their stables quick enough.
Lorcan's most memorable ride - Barton apart - came at Aintree in the 1999 Grand National. After Mark Bradburne had broken a collarbone in the Foxhunters' two days earlier, Lorcan was asked to replace him on Blue Charm.
Lorcan's most memorable ride - Barton apart - came at Aintree in the 1999 Grand National. After Mark Bradburne had broken a collarbone in the Foxhunters' two days earlier, Lorcan was asked to replace him on Blue Charm.
The horse was a stone out of the handicap and, watching it parade in the paddock before the race, Lorcan became somewhat anxious.
The horse was a stone out of the handicap and, watching it parade in the paddock before the race, Lorcan became somewhat anxious.
Blue Charm was getting seriously wound up, necessitating two people to lead him up.
Blue Charm was getting seriously wound up, necessitating two people to lead him up.
Lorcan recalls that his eyes were popping out of his head and that he was awash with sweat.
Lorcan recalls that his eyes were popping out of his head and that he was awash with sweat.
In the event, Blue Charm staggered everyone by running the race of its life, finishing second behind Bobbyjo, giving Lorcan 'the biggest kick of my life' as he later described it.
In the event, Blue Charm staggered everyone by running the race of its life, finishing second behind Bobbyjo, giving Lorcan 'the biggest kick of my life' as he later described it.
Sadly, Blue Charm died that very summer while out at grass.
Sadly, Blue Charm died that very summer while out at grass.
Lorcan's last winner came at Sedgefield riding Edmo Heights for Tim Easterby.
Lorcan's last winner came at Sedgefield riding Edmo Heights for Tim Easterby.
Once retired, Lorcan worked for a while for The Racing Channel, but when a vacancy came up for a racing official with the Irish Turf Club, Lorcan seized it with both hands.
Once retired, Lorcan worked for a while for The Racing Channel, but when a vacancy came up for a racing official with the Irish Turf Club, Lorcan seized it with both hands.
Big wins
Big wins
1986: National Hunt Chase - Omerta
1986: National Hunt Chase - Omerta
1992: Becher Chase - Kildimo
1992: Becher Chase - Kildimo
1994: Imperial Cup - Precious Boy
1994: Imperial Cup - Precious Boy
1996: Martell Cup - Scotton Banks
1996: Martell Cup - Scotton Banks
1999: Royal & Sun Alliance Hurdle - Barton
1999: Royal & Sun Alliance Hurdle - Barton
2000: Eider Chase - Scotton Green
2000: Eider Chase - Scotton Green
Lorcan's own story as told to IrishRacing.com
I was born in Clondalkin and like a lot of young people I was knocking about on ponies, begging and borrowing to have a sit on a pony somewhere. Then my mum and dad moved up to Athgoe which is near Newcastle, Co Dublin. That was how the connection with Frank Oakes came about because Frank wanted a few stables and we had three or four boxes out the back.
I was born in Clondalkin and like a lot of young people I was knocking about on ponies, begging and borrowing to have a sit on a pony somewhere. Then my mum and dad moved up to Athgoe which is near Newcastle, Co Dublin. That was how the connection with Frank Oakes came about because Frank wanted a few stables and we had three or four boxes out the back.
I was always interested in riding ponies or horses. It was always something I was drawn toward but I didn't know where I would end up really. When I sat on a racehorse for the first time with Frank, I suppose a light went on and it excited me. I had my first ride for Frank at Laytown. It was in the old days when we used to race down towards Drogheda turned round at the bottom and came back up. I remember thinking somebody was moving the winning post further away because my knees went and my lungs gave up. I wasn't as fit as I hoped I was. I was so tired but it was just a wonderful experience - the speed and the sounds. It was magical.
I was always interested in riding ponies or horses. It was always something I was drawn toward but I didn't know where I would end up really. When I sat on a racehorse for the first time with Frank, I suppose a light went on and it excited me. I had my first ride for Frank at Laytown. It was in the old days when we used to race down towards Drogheda turned round at the bottom and came back up. I remember thinking somebody was moving the winning post further away because my knees went and my lungs gave up. I wasn't as fit as I hoped I was. I was so tired but it was just a wonderful experience - the speed and the sounds. It was magical.
Conor O'Dwyer was with Frank at roughly the same time. Conor is the same man now as he was then, a gentleman to his fingertips. Frank and everybody else recognised that Conor was next level, he was just different class. Conor was higher up the pecking order than me. I went on to MJP O'Brien, a wonderful trainer and a tough man at times. He expected very high standards but again he was very good to me. I rode my first winner for Michael on Champion Prince in Navan (in 1984). He was a delicate horse but Michael managed him very well and I had maybe three winners on him.
Conor O'Dwyer was with Frank at roughly the same time. Conor is the same man now as he was then, a gentleman to his fingertips. Frank and everybody else recognised that Conor was next level, he was just different class. Conor was higher up the pecking order than me. I went on to MJP O'Brien, a wonderful trainer and a tough man at times. He expected very high standards but again he was very good to me. I rode my first winner for Michael on Champion Prince in Navan (in 1984). He was a delicate horse but Michael managed him very well and I had maybe three winners on him.
Then I ended up moving to Homer Scott. I was asked to call down and see Homer and he felt he had a nice bunch of horses that year and how right he was. We had such good luck together with horses like Omerta. I was still riding as an amateur. I had a double on Grand National day 1986 (Canute Express won the novice hurdle) for Homer and Jobroke won an amateur handicap hurdle for Peter Easterby owned by Colonel Dick Warden, a lovely man to ride for. A double on Grand National day for an amateur was pretty special. That came on the back of Omerta winning the four-mile National Hunt Chase (in 1986). An opportunity arose for me to go to England and ride for the Easterby family. They offered me the job when Jonjo (O'Neill) retired and I went over to Yorkshire. I think Colonel Warden more than anybody was instrumental in that move.
Then I ended up moving to Homer Scott. I was asked to call down and see Homer and he felt he had a nice bunch of horses that year and how right he was. We had such good luck together with horses like Omerta. I was still riding as an amateur. I had a double on Grand National day 1986 (Canute Express won the novice hurdle) for Homer and Jobroke won an amateur handicap hurdle for Peter Easterby owned by Colonel Dick Warden, a lovely man to ride for. A double on Grand National day for an amateur was pretty special. That came on the back of Omerta winning the four-mile National Hunt Chase (in 1986). An opportunity arose for me to go to England and ride for the Easterby family. They offered me the job when Jonjo (O'Neill) retired and I went over to Yorkshire. I think Colonel Warden more than anybody was instrumental in that move.
I was there for quite a number of years. The Easterbys were brilliant to ride for. As the years went by the number of Flat horses went up and the number of National Hunt horses went down. We didn't have a huge number of jumping horses but we had some great days. I only rode Barton for one season and he was seven from seven which included winning the Sun Alliance Hurdle (at Cheltenham in 1999). He won at Aintree but sustained an injury that day, so that was the end of that seven from seven. That year I would say he was the best I had ever ridden. When you were riding him at home, he gave you the most wonderful feeling. I'd say Dato Star was a very special horse and really well managed by Malcolm Jefferson. He was a little delicate but, when the ground was on the slow side, he was a beast really. He won two Fighting Fifths (at Newcastle) and a Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
I was there for quite a number of years. The Easterbys were brilliant to ride for. As the years went by the number of Flat horses went up and the number of National Hunt horses went down. We didn't have a huge number of jumping horses but we had some great days. I only rode Barton for one season and he was seven from seven which included winning the Sun Alliance Hurdle (at Cheltenham in 1999). He won at Aintree but sustained an injury that day, so that was the end of that seven from seven. That year I would say he was the best I had ever ridden. When you were riding him at home, he gave you the most wonderful feeling. I'd say Dato Star was a very special horse and really well managed by Malcolm Jefferson. He was a little delicate but, when the ground was on the slow side, he was a beast really. He won two Fighting Fifths (at Newcastle) and a Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Finishing second in the Grand National on Blue Charm (in 1999) was a great day. I got round a couple of times in the National but more often than not I didn't. It was a strange day, it was a spare ride and I was well in the back nine of my career at that stage. When I saw him in the parade ring, the eyes were popping out of his head! He was white with sweat much like myself! There were two or three lads leading him up and he was fairly lit up. I cantered down to give him a look at the first and the brakes weren't great! The fences were big, they still take jumping now, but they were different then. I read it so wrong, he was a wonderful little horse. He was like a bunny rabbit. He just gave me a super spin and I thought for a millisecond jumping the last that I might win the National until Paul Carberry turned on the afterburners on Bobbyjo and beat me easily in the end.
Finishing second in the Grand National on Blue Charm (in 1999) was a great day. I got round a couple of times in the National but more often than not I didn't. It was a strange day, it was a spare ride and I was well in the back nine of my career at that stage. When I saw him in the parade ring, the eyes were popping out of his head! He was white with sweat much like myself! There were two or three lads leading him up and he was fairly lit up. I cantered down to give him a look at the first and the brakes weren't great! The fences were big, they still take jumping now, but they were different then. I read it so wrong, he was a wonderful little horse. He was like a bunny rabbit. He just gave me a super spin and I thought for a millisecond jumping the last that I might win the National until Paul Carberry turned on the afterburners on Bobbyjo and beat me easily in the end.
A little horse called Thornton Gate was sprint-bred but took to jumping quite well and just going down the back (at Aintree in 1996) he stepped and you're on the ground thinking 'I'm grand, not a bother' until another horse came behind and stood on the side of my face. Next stop was Walton Hospital where they did a bit of reconstruction. I think I got back riding in three or four months. The operation was the guts of nine hours and I was in so much pain that I couldn't sleep. I begged the nurse to give me something to knock me out. I was just drifting off and I felt this hand on my forehead and it was the priest. I woke with a jump as I thought he was giving me the last rites! Turns out he was only going around giving everyone a blessing. After that, I checked out of hospital and the missus wouldn't pick me up, so I got a taxi back to Yorkshire and she went bonkers when I arrived!
A little horse called Thornton Gate was sprint-bred but took to jumping quite well and just going down the back (at Aintree in 1996) he stepped and you're on the ground thinking 'I'm grand, not a bother' until another horse came behind and stood on the side of my face. Next stop was Walton Hospital where they did a bit of reconstruction. I think I got back riding in three or four months. The operation was the guts of nine hours and I was in so much pain that I couldn't sleep. I begged the nurse to give me something to knock me out. I was just drifting off and I felt this hand on my forehead and it was the priest. I woke with a jump as I thought he was giving me the last rites! Turns out he was only going around giving everyone a blessing. After that, I checked out of hospital and the missus wouldn't pick me up, so I got a taxi back to Yorkshire and she went bonkers when I arrived!
I finished up with 599 winners. It is minuscule compared to today's numbers, but I had a lovely career. We stopped for two months during the summer. The season stopped at Market Rasen and I remember (jockey) Chris Grant would be 9st 12lb leaving Market Rasen and by the time he got to the first McDonald's he'd be 12 stone! He was so dedicated all his life, but at the end of the season he'd let himself go.
I finished up with 599 winners. It is minuscule compared to today's numbers, but I had a lovely career. We stopped for two months during the summer. The season stopped at Market Rasen and I remember (jockey) Chris Grant would be 9st 12lb leaving Market Rasen and by the time he got to the first McDonald's he'd be 12 stone! He was so dedicated all his life, but at the end of the season he'd let himself go.
I applied for a job with the Turf Club the year that Barton was on the go. I applied for the position of assistant flat handicapper/stewards' secretary. I got down to the final few and I remember I rang Mr Cahir O'Sullivan, who was CEO at the time and Keeper of the Match Book, from Musselburgh racecourse and said to him in the unlikely event that I would be successful I just wasn't in a position to stop riding at that time. He thanked me for making contact and encouraged me to go again. I did various roles - clerk of the scales, starting and stewards' secretary. I was clerk of the course for nine courses and I'm down to seven now. I did nine for about eight years and it was difficult to maintain that so I do seven now. I really enjoy the role and a good day for all of us is when all horses and riders go home safely.
I applied for a job with the Turf Club the year that Barton was on the go. I applied for the position of assistant flat handicapper/stewards' secretary. I got down to the final few and I remember I rang Mr Cahir O'Sullivan, who was CEO at the time and Keeper of the Match Book, from Musselburgh racecourse and said to him in the unlikely event that I would be successful I just wasn't in a position to stop riding at that time. He thanked me for making contact and encouraged me to go again. I did various roles - clerk of the scales, starting and stewards' secretary. I was clerk of the course for nine courses and I'm down to seven now. I did nine for about eight years and it was difficult to maintain that so I do seven now. I really enjoy the role and a good day for all of us is when all horses and riders go home safely.
We (friends and son-in-law Adam) were lured to a Christmas dinner in Kilcullen last year and, despite all our protestations, we all signed up for a charity challenge. We did a fair bit of training and set off from Mizen Head (Ireland's most southerly point) last month. It was a magical thing to do. We set off at about 2.30 pm and we kept pedalling for just under 580 kilometres to Malin Head (the most northerly point on the island) in 24 hours. We had seven pre-arranged stops for 10 minutes each. We are so glad we were able to do it. I think we are very close to €40,000 being raised for the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation which provides nursing care for sick children six years old and younger. We are trying to buy nursing hours for those who are less fortunate than us. It looks like this could be something we try and do each year, but we will be on our guard for the next Christmas party!
We (friends and son-in-law Adam) were lured to a Christmas dinner in Kilcullen last year and, despite all our protestations, we all signed up for a charity challenge. We did a fair bit of training and set off from Mizen Head (Ireland's most southerly point) last month. It was a magical thing to do. We set off at about 2.30 pm and we kept pedalling for just under 580 kilometres to Malin Head (the most northerly point on the island) in 24 hours. We had seven pre-arranged stops for 10 minutes each. We are so glad we were able to do it. I think we are very close to €40,000 being raised for the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation which provides nursing care for sick children six years old and younger. We are trying to buy nursing hours for those who are less fortunate than us. It looks like this could be something we try and do each year, but we will be on our guard for the next Christmas party!