Background
Stephen Donoghue was born in Warrington, Cheshire, England. His father was a steel-worker and the family had no racing connections.
Stephen Donoghue was born in Warrington, Cheshire, England. His father was a steel-worker and the family had no racing connections.
Donoghue was apprenticed to John Porter when he was 14 years old, but ran away after being beaten for allowing a horse to get loose on the gallops.
He was Champion Jockey 10 times between 1914 and 1923 and was one of the most celebrated horse racing sportsmen after Fred Archer, arguably only Sir Gordon Richards eclipsing him. At the age of twelve he left home and decided to become a jockey after winning a prize for riding a donkey at a circus. After working as an apprentice and work rider at two other British stables he accepted an offer to ride in France.
Donoghue accepted the post of stable jockey to Henry Seymour "Atty" Persse at Stockbridge, Hampshire and had his first major successes in 1913 on the outstanding two-year-old The Tetrarch.
In the following year he rode 129 winners to claim the first of ten consecutive jockeys" championships. The three consecutive wins in the early 1920s - on Humorist (1921), Captain Cuttle (1922) and Papyrus (1923) - were the high points.
He was also associated with the horse Brown Jack - who he rode to six consecutive wins in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot. In 1915 and 1917, he rode the horses Pommern and Gay Crusader to the English Triple Crown.
Always popular with the public and his fellow professionals, Donoghue was never called up by the stewards.
He was less popular with owners and trainers because of his tendency to switch allegiance when he had the opportunity of a winning ride. Also in 1937 and appeared as himself in Wings of the Morning, Britain"s first Technicolour film. Despite earning a great deal during his career his "impulsive generosity" and lack of business acumen led to financial difficulties.
He took up training at Blewbury but had little success.
Donoghue died in London on 23 March 1945 from a heart attack. Epsom Derby winners - 1915: Pommern, 1917: Gay Crusader, 1921: Humorist, 1922: Captain Cuttle, 1923: Papyrus, 1925: Manna
1,000 Guineas winners - 1937: Exhibitionnist
2,000 Guineas winners - 1915: Pommern, 1917: Gay Crusader, 1925: Manna
Epsom Oaks winners - 1918: My Dear, 1937: Exhibitionnist
Saint Leger Stakes winners - 1915: Pommern, 1917: Gay Crusader.