Graham Lee (jockey)
Encyclopedia
Graham Lee is a successful Irish
National Hunt jockey
in Great Britain
and Ireland
. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan
, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy trainer for Ferdy Murphy. In 2008 Lee attained the feat of being only the fourth National Hunt jockey to be placed in the first two positions in the National Hunt Jockey's Championship in ten years (following Robert Thornton, Richard Johnson and Timmy Murphy), at the time displacing Richard Johnson. In 2009, Lee began riding for newly licensed trainer Rose Dobbin, wife of jockey Tony Dobbin
, in addition to his work for Murphy.
Although his profile had dipped sharply among the ranks since joining Murphy, Lee has come very much back into the sport's consciousness through his involvement with several improving chasers and hurdlers, and moving into second place in the 2007-08 jockeys championship.
Graham Lee also spends a lot of his time working with former Middlesbrough FC fitness coach Chris Barnes working in the gym improving on fitness and injury recovery times.
, No Refuge and Arcalis
.
Lee held freelance status, and rode for many other trainers during these years, most notably Ginger McCain
. Now with stables of Ferdy Murphy, Lee maintains freelance status and his recent outside successes have included a Peterborough Chase
in 2006 for Henrietta Knight when partnering Racing Demon to a 4 length victory.
, Lee achieved one of his most famous feats, by winning a quintuple of races. This achievement secured a win of over £500,000 on a fivefold accumulator bet.
Grand National
After managing to take third place with the horse in the 2003 race, in 2004 Lee won the Grand National
on Amberleigh House
. The horse was trained by Ginger McCain, who famously trained three time winner Red Rum
. The success could not be repeated, however, as the horse achieved only tenth place in 2005
, and was finally retired after being pulled up at the 21st fence in 2006
.
Lee rode favourite Joe's Edge in the 2007 National
, but pulled up at the 20th fence after failing to trouble the leaders.
Lee was scheduled to ride Idle Talk for Donald McCain, the son of Ginger McCain, in the 2008 Grand National
, however he was ruled out after sustaining multiple fractures to the jaw several weeks earlier.
Lee was a surprise choice to ride for David Pipe 2010, eventually being selected to ride The Package after Timmy Murphy chose to ride his National-winning horse, Comply or Die.
2004: Amberleigh House (1st) - Ginger McCain
2005
: Amberleigh House (10th) - Ginger McCain
2006
: Amberleigh House (P21) - Ginger McCain
2007
: Joe's Edge (P20) - Ferdy Murphy
2008
: Did not enter (injured)
2009
: Kilbeggan Blade (P21) - Tom George
2010
: The Package (U19) - David Pipe
2011: Big Fella Thanks (7th) - Ferdy Murphy
in 2004, by riding topweight Grey Abbey to win by a distance Lee became one of only three jockeys, along with Brian Fletcher and Ruby Walsh
, to achieve a "Grand National Double". Lee missed the 2006 National due to a virus, which would eventually end his relationship with John Howard Johnson. He was second in the 2007 National, again on Nine De Sivola and missing out by just half a length, as in the Irish Grand National of the same year.
2005: Ballycassidy (Pulled Up)
2006: Did not enter (injured)
2007: Nine De Sivola (2nd)
2008: Did not enter (injured)
2009: Nine De Sivola (Pulled Up)
2010: Poker De Sivola (Pulled Up)
2011L Poker De Sivola (Brought Down)
, where Lee again took the ride but it was reported that the horse was injured during the race, which is thought to be the reason for it finishing fifth. Lee, however, went on to win Top Jockey for the Cheltenham Festival
. Subsequently, Grey Abby retired just over a week before the 2005 Scottish Grand National. In March, 2006, it was reported that Grey Abbey's trainer, Howard Johnson, would bring him out of retirement for the 2006 Scottish National, but this plan was not put into action.
- After a successful stint on the Irish Pony Circuit, Lee left school at the age of 15 to join the stable.
Dessie McDonogh - Based in County Meath, this was Lee's last position in Ireland before moving to England.
Mary Reveley - During this stint, Lee was a minor jockey, not riding many high profile horses. He also suffered a horrific knee injury, from which it took more than seven months to recover.
Bill Haigh - Here, recovering from his severe injury problems, Lee rose to the top ten in the Jockey Championship.
Malcolm Jefferson - A successful stint for Lee which secured him the lucrative position with Howard Johnson, and fifth place in the jockey championship. In 2010, Lee began riding for Jefferson again.
J Howard Johnson - With this stable, Lee secured the top jockey award at Cheltenham and a Scottish Grand National win. He finished third in the Jockey Championship, behind Tony McCoy
and Richard Johnson
. He also won the Grand National during this period, but this was for Ginger McCain.
. He is an in-law relation to another jockey, Shane Kelly, through his paternal grandfather.
He is a close friend of champion jockey, Tony McCoy
, with whom he had lodged in the past.
He is married with a daughter and a son, and lives on the outskirts of Middlesbrough.
Grand National - WON : Amberleigh House, 2004.
Scottish Grand National - WON: Grey Abbey, 2004
Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey - WON: 3 wins, 2005
Cheltenham World Hurdle - WON: Inglis Drever, 2005
Cheltenham Supreme Novices Hurdle - WON: Arcalis, 2005
Irish Grand National - 2nd: Nine De Sivola, 2007
Ryanair Chase - 2nd: Kalahari King, 2011
Totesport Bowl - 4th: Calgary Bay, 2010
Cheltenham Gold Cup - 5th: Grey Abbey, 2005
Champion Jockey Standings
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
National Hunt jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan
Paddy Brennan (jockey)
Paddy Brennan, is an Irish jockey who rode the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010.A native of Ardrahan, County Galway, Brennan was a keen GAA player with dreams of becoming a county hurler. He only became involved in horseracing after a neighbour noticed his talent with hunt horses...
, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy trainer for Ferdy Murphy. In 2008 Lee attained the feat of being only the fourth National Hunt jockey to be placed in the first two positions in the National Hunt Jockey's Championship in ten years (following Robert Thornton, Richard Johnson and Timmy Murphy), at the time displacing Richard Johnson. In 2009, Lee began riding for newly licensed trainer Rose Dobbin, wife of jockey Tony Dobbin
Tony Dobbin
Tony Dobbin is a retired Northern Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He rode the winner of the Grand National on Lord Gyllene in 1997 and won over 1,200 races during his career in the saddle. He was the regular stable jockey for Nicky Richards...
, in addition to his work for Murphy.
Although his profile had dipped sharply among the ranks since joining Murphy, Lee has come very much back into the sport's consciousness through his involvement with several improving chasers and hurdlers, and moving into second place in the 2007-08 jockeys championship.
Graham Lee also spends a lot of his time working with former Middlesbrough FC fitness coach Chris Barnes working in the gym improving on fitness and injury recovery times.
Career
Lee joined the Howard Johnson team permanently in 2002, after leaving the stables of Malcolm Jefferson and was largely responsible for the schooling and on-track development of horses owned by Graham Wylie including Inglis DreverInglis Drever
Inglis Drever was a champion racehorse trained in the North of England by Howard Johnson. He was one of the most successful hurdle racing horses to date and the only horse to have won the World Hurdle three times...
, No Refuge and Arcalis
Arcalis (horse)
Arcalis is a British Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for his win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival.-Background:...
.
Lee held freelance status, and rode for many other trainers during these years, most notably Ginger McCain
Ginger McCain
Donald "Ginger" McCain was an English National Hunt trainer, perhaps best known for training the legendary horse Red Rum. A successful trainer who won many races, he trained Red Rum on Crosby beach near Liverpool...
. Now with stables of Ferdy Murphy, Lee maintains freelance status and his recent outside successes have included a Peterborough Chase
Peterborough Chase
The Peterborough Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Huntingdon over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs , and during its running there are sixteen fences to be jumped...
in 2006 for Henrietta Knight when partnering Racing Demon to a 4 length victory.
Wetherby
In an autumn meeting of 2003 at Wetherby RacecourseWetherby Racecourse
Wetherby Racecourse is a National Hunt racecourse situated near the market town of Wetherby in West Yorkshire, England, located from Leeds city centre.-Location:...
, Lee achieved one of his most famous feats, by winning a quintuple of races. This achievement secured a win of over £500,000 on a fivefold accumulator bet.
Grand NationalGrand NationalThe Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
After managing to take third place with the horse in the 2003 race, in 2004 Lee won the Grand NationalGrand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
on Amberleigh House
Amberleigh House
Amberleigh House was the horse that won the 2004 Grand National. He is now retired and living at the National Stud in Newmarket.-Staff:Amberleigh House was trained by legend Ginger McCain, and was usually ridden by jockey Graham Lee, amongst others...
. The horse was trained by Ginger McCain, who famously trained three time winner Red Rum
Red Rum
Red Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
. The success could not be repeated, however, as the horse achieved only tenth place in 2005
2005 Grand National
The 2005 Grand National was the 158th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 2005 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £700,000 including £406,000 to...
, and was finally retired after being pulled up at the 21st fence in 2006
2006 Grand National
The 2006 Grand National was the 159th official annual running of the Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 2006 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £689,360 including £399,140 to the...
.
Lee rode favourite Joe's Edge in the 2007 National
2007 Grand National
The 2007 Grand National was the 160th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 14 April 2007 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for a total prize money of £700,000...
, but pulled up at the 20th fence after failing to trouble the leaders.
Lee was scheduled to ride Idle Talk for Donald McCain, the son of Ginger McCain, in the 2008 Grand National
2008 Grand National
The 2008 Grand National was the 161st official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 2008 and attracted the maximum allowed field of 40 competitors, for total prize money of £450,640.Joint-favourite...
, however he was ruled out after sustaining multiple fractures to the jaw several weeks earlier.
Lee was a surprise choice to ride for David Pipe 2010, eventually being selected to ride The Package after Timmy Murphy chose to ride his National-winning horse, Comply or Die.
Record
2003: Amberleigh House (3rd) - Ginger McCain2004: Amberleigh House (1st) - Ginger McCain
2005
2005 Grand National
The 2005 Grand National was the 158th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 2005 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £700,000 including £406,000 to...
: Amberleigh House (10th) - Ginger McCain
2006
2006 Grand National
The 2006 Grand National was the 159th official annual running of the Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 2006 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £689,360 including £399,140 to the...
: Amberleigh House (P21) - Ginger McCain
2007
2007 Grand National
The 2007 Grand National was the 160th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 14 April 2007 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for a total prize money of £700,000...
: Joe's Edge (P20) - Ferdy Murphy
2008
2008 Grand National
The 2008 Grand National was the 161st official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 2008 and attracted the maximum allowed field of 40 competitors, for total prize money of £450,640.Joint-favourite...
: Did not enter (injured)
2009
2009 Grand National
The 2009 Grand National was the 162nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 2009...
: Kilbeggan Blade (P21) - Tom George
2010
2010 Grand National
The 2010 Grand National was the 163rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 2010....
: The Package (U19) - David Pipe
2011: Big Fella Thanks (7th) - Ferdy Murphy
Scottish National
Victorious in the Scottish NationalScottish Grand National
The Scottish Grand National is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards and 27 fences...
in 2004, by riding topweight Grey Abbey to win by a distance Lee became one of only three jockeys, along with Brian Fletcher and Ruby Walsh
Ruby Walsh
Ruby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:...
, to achieve a "Grand National Double". Lee missed the 2006 National due to a virus, which would eventually end his relationship with John Howard Johnson. He was second in the 2007 National, again on Nine De Sivola and missing out by just half a length, as in the Irish Grand National of the same year.
Record
2004: Grey Abbey (1st)2005: Ballycassidy (Pulled Up)
2006: Did not enter (injured)
2007: Nine De Sivola (2nd)
2008: Did not enter (injured)
2009: Nine De Sivola (Pulled Up)
2010: Poker De Sivola (Pulled Up)
2011L Poker De Sivola (Brought Down)
Grey Abbey
The horse was sent to the 2005 Cheltenham Gold CupCheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
, where Lee again took the ride but it was reported that the horse was injured during the race, which is thought to be the reason for it finishing fifth. Lee, however, went on to win Top Jockey for the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
. Subsequently, Grey Abby retired just over a week before the 2005 Scottish Grand National. In March, 2006, it was reported that Grey Abbey's trainer, Howard Johnson, would bring him out of retirement for the 2006 Scottish National, but this plan was not put into action.
Irish National
Lee has never won the Irish national, but came second in 2007 when riding Nine De Sivola. Nine De Sivola was also second in the Scottish national in the same year, again missing out by just half a length.Cheltenham Festival
Lee won the award for top jockey at the 2005 festival (which included his first ever win at the festival), and finished fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He failed to make any impact in the 2006 festival, but ended a 49 race drought when winning at 20-1 on the third day of the 2007 festival. He was injured for the duration of the 2008 festival. Lee has taken four rides in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, finishing 5th on Grey Abbey after leading for the majority of the race in 2005, and Ballycassidy in 2006. He finished sixth on Roll Along and Calgary Bay in 2009 and 2010 respectively, after a three year absence from the race, although he had no winners at either festival. Lee finally broke his four-year festival duck when winning aboard Divers on the first day of the 2011 festival.Betfred Gold Cup
Lee was aboard Hot Weld in the 2007 Betfred Gold Cup as the horse posted the first ever double of the Scottish National and Betfred Gold Cup. Ironically, he had been on stablemate, Nine De Sivola in the Scottish National. Poker de Sivola won the 2011 instance of this race, the horse Lee had ridden the previous week in the Scottish National. Timmy Murphy was the winning jockey.Prize Money
In the 2008/09 season, Lee became the first jockey to win £100,000 in prize money in that season, however he was later injured and after a three month absence, began to work his way back up to ninth in the jockey championship.Previous Stables
Noel MeadeNoel Meade
Noel Meade is a famous horse trainer from Ireland. He established Tu Va Stables in Co. Meath, Ireland as a place to train his horses.Meade began his career as a horse trainer in 1971, but it was not until 1978 that Meade started to become well recognized. Sweet Mint, winner of the Cork and Orrery...
- After a successful stint on the Irish Pony Circuit, Lee left school at the age of 15 to join the stable.
Dessie McDonogh - Based in County Meath, this was Lee's last position in Ireland before moving to England.
Mary Reveley - During this stint, Lee was a minor jockey, not riding many high profile horses. He also suffered a horrific knee injury, from which it took more than seven months to recover.
Bill Haigh - Here, recovering from his severe injury problems, Lee rose to the top ten in the Jockey Championship.
Malcolm Jefferson - A successful stint for Lee which secured him the lucrative position with Howard Johnson, and fifth place in the jockey championship. In 2010, Lee began riding for Jefferson again.
J Howard Johnson - With this stable, Lee secured the top jockey award at Cheltenham and a Scottish Grand National win. He finished third in the Jockey Championship, behind Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy
Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....
and Richard Johnson
Richard Johnson (jockey)
Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:...
. He also won the Grand National during this period, but this was for Ginger McCain.
Personal life
Lee comes from a very sporting family. His grandfather, Matthew Lee, played for Kilmarnock FC as well as being capped for his national team. His brother, Malcolm Lee was a flat jockey, as is his cousin Dean MernaghDean Mernagh
Dean Mernagh is a famous horse racing jockey. He is the cousin of Grand National winner Graham Lee. Mernagh's biggest achievement was winning the UAE version of The Derby in Dubai....
. He is an in-law relation to another jockey, Shane Kelly, through his paternal grandfather.
He is a close friend of champion jockey, Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy
Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....
, with whom he had lodged in the past.
He is married with a daughter and a son, and lives on the outskirts of Middlesbrough.
Achievements
Grand National - WON : Amberleigh House, 2004.
Scottish Grand National - WON: Grey Abbey, 2004
Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey - WON: 3 wins, 2005
Cheltenham World Hurdle - WON: Inglis Drever, 2005
Cheltenham Supreme Novices Hurdle - WON: Arcalis, 2005
Irish Grand National - 2nd: Nine De Sivola, 2007
Ryanair Chase - 2nd: Kalahari King, 2011
Totesport Bowl - 4th: Calgary Bay, 2010
Cheltenham Gold Cup - 5th: Grey Abbey, 2005
Champion Jockey Standings
- 1993/94 - 124th (6)
- 1994/95 - N/A (0)
- 1995/96 - 70th (11)
- 1996/97 - 57th (16)
- 1997/98 - 39th (21)
- 1998/99 - 38th (24)
- 1999/00 - 28th (28)
- 2000/01 - 25th (25)
- 2001/02 - 7th (58)
- 2002/03 - 6th (66)
- 2003/04 - 3rd (94)
- 2004/05 - 5th (100)
- 2005/06 - 3rd (108)
- 2006/07 - 6th (89)
- 2007/08 - 5th (89)
- 2008/09 - 10th (67)
- 2009/10 - 11th (65)
- 2010/11 - 6th (77)