Gabriel ‘Squibbs’ Curran (1949-2008) jockey

Apprenticed to Kevin Prendergast and nicknamed ‘Squibbs’, Gabriel Curran rode his first winner in June 1967 on Hard Case in an apprentice race at Naas. He rode the 100/1 chance Miss Therese to victory in the Blandford Stkes in 1973 for Pat Lally and two years later succeeded Paul Jarman as Kevin Prendergast’s first jockey, a position he held until 1988.

The highlights of his career were winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Nebbiolo in 1976 and his two Irish classics, on Northern Treasure and Arctique Royale. After his retirement from race-riding Curran ran a small stud at Killaro, Puckane, Co Tipperary and rode work for local trainer Tom Hogan. ‘Squibbs’ Curran died suddenly on February 19th 2008.

Winners for Kevin Prendergast, Curragh:

Winners for other trainers:

William ‘Billy’ Burke (1934-1995) jockey

Willie Burke from Naas became the first Irish-born jockey to win the Irish Sweeps Derby when successful on Santa Claus in 1964. On leaving school at 14, he had joined the Mickey Rogers stable as an apprentice, where he remained for the duration of his career. Although he had ridden some important winners, like Prince Poppa in the Phoenix Stakes, Burke never thought of himself as a jockey, nor, indeed, did anybody else.

Nonetheless, it was to the man that rode Santa Claus in all his work at home that much of the credit belonged for enabling the colt to realise his enormous potential. Willie Burke’s preoccupation after the greatest moment of his career was getting home to “to do his two” at evening stables.

His disappearance from the limelight rivalled the suddenness of his arrival in the public eye, unjustly blamed for Santa Claus’ defeat in the four-runner King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, run on rock-hard ground. Remembered for that defeat, rather than his wonderful victory in the Irish Derby, Billy Burke died in January 1995.

Principal winners:

Philip ‘Phil’ Canty (1918-1996)

jockey/trainer

Phil Canty, son of trainer James Canty and a nephew of champion jockey Joe, was apprenticed to Hubert Hartigan. Like many Irish flat jockeys of the time, Canty took mounts over hurdles in his youth, winning the Gloucestershire Hurdle at Cheltenham on Gremlin.

However, his main claim to fame is as the rider of Dark Issue, Sir Winston Churchill’s sole classic winner, in the 1955 Irish 1000 Guineas. Phil Canty also won the Irish St Leger, on Morning Madam in 1950.

On his retirement from the saddle in 1966, he commenced training on the Curragh. He never had a large string, Gayle Gal being the best he trained. Phil Canty died in December 1996.

Principal winners:

Francis ‘Frankie’ Carroll (1929-2011) jockey

Dubliner Frankie Carroll was apprenticed to the Hon H G ‘Ginger’ Wellesley on the Curragh, progressing to become one of Ireland’s leading lightweight jump jockeys, giving no quarter to aspiring amateurs. Following his retirement in 1974 he worked for trainer Clem Magnier. David, his brother, became a trainer in Kentucky, while his son Ray and grandson Gary became successful flat jockeys, the latter heading the Irish apprentices’ table in 2009 and 2010.

Principal winners:

John Crowley (1941-2003)

jockey/trainer

An outspoken but competent Corkman, John Crowley came to prominence in 1968 as the rider of Herring Gull.

When racing resumed after a shut-down caused by foot-and-mouth disease, Herring Gull won the Tote Champion Novice Chase at Cheltenham, the Irish Grand National and the John Jameson Cup at Punchestown, propelling Crowley into the limelight.

Brought down to earth by a terrible fall, Crowley bounced back, riding for the powerful Phonsie O’Brien stable in 1970. Dismissed the following year, for his riding of Polar Fox at Listowel, John Crowley’s riding career never recovered. His reputation as a gambler counted against him and afterwards he rode mainly for Jimmy Murphy. Retiring to train at Midleton, Co Cork, Crowley’s new career began with a victory at Cheltenham in 1979, when his gambled-on longshot Hippolito won the County Hurdle, only to lose the race in the Stewards’ Room.

Having failed to capitalise on his success with Ballinacurra Lad, whom he trained to win the Embassy Premier Chase at Ascot and the Dan Moore Memorial Chase at Fairyhouse in 1984, his training career just petered out. A cousin of the jump jockey Denis O’Regan and an uncle of the amateur rider Mr Pat Crowley, John Crowley died in April 2003.

Jockey:

Trainer:

Who Was Who In Irish Racing, by Guy St John Williams and Francis P. Hyland, is published by Daletta Press. Priced at €100, copies can be purchased from Farrell & Nephew, 8 Main Street, Newbridge, Co Kildare. There is €7 post and packaging fee for telephone or internet orders. It is also on sale in Barker & Jones, Poplar Square, Naas.

Tel: 045 431708

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