DONOGHUE’S LIFE STORY.

Shannon News, 14 December 1923, Page 4

DONOGHUE’S LIFE STORY.

HIS FIRST WINNER.

“Steve” Donoghue, the champion jockey, fells a thrilling story of his early struggles and later triumphs in a. book, issued by Hutchison and Co.

. “Just My Story” is a well-told and human record, full of „ good tales Of training stable and racecourse adventures.

It-has been dedicated, by special permission, to the Prince of Wales. “I was born in the town of Warrington," the author explains. “My parents were poor and hard-working people. I 'was the eldest of a family of five, and from a very early age I got more than I considered my fair share of hard w6rk,‘ knocks, and worry.” / IN THE IRON WORKS. After a short spell in iron works, Where his father was employed, he decided to become/a“ jockey. ■

“My first ride in public' was in Ohmy’s. Circus. ‘There ‘ ‘ was / a very clever donkey, and a purse of silver was offered as a prize to anyone who could ride him three times round the ring.” ■ , -> How he tried and failed, but at length succeeded by riding, as he had seen the clown. do it, with his face to the animal’s tail, and of the “purse of silver,” Which turned out to' be 2/-6 in threepenny pieces, is one of Doaoghue’s funniest anecdotes; ; By persistency and fearlessness he secured a job in. the stables of the late John Porter. But, after a short stay, I packed my few belongings in a small parcel, slipped away to the station;, and took the next train ta Warrington, I arrived home sporting a large jockey’s cap, breeches (large check pattern), gaiters, and boots, giving myself as many airs as though I had returned a full.blown Tod Sloan. HISTORIC RACES. Other engagements followed in Great Britain, Ireland, and France, where Donoghue rode his first, winner.

To ride his first " winner ! What an event in the life of a jockey. . . . But

I very nearly didn’t win. : I got left at the post at the start! Those who saw Donoghue off at Waterloo en his way-to America probably gave no thoughts to handshipa and dangers which a lad- experiences before success can be gained. He had been the victim >of an accident at Phoenix Park, and the injuries -then received, accompanied by continual “wasting” brought him very low physically. - “I would not give up. . . . I still had to wox-k very hard, and I did an enormous amount of travelling, frequently crossing to England to ride. It was a constant war against nature, and I nearly lost.”

As he tells of great horses, historic races, and “near things,”, Donoghue’s story becomes a series of thrills and exoitements. ....... ,

Iff the Derby won by Humorist, Donoghue finds an opportunity for dramatic descriptiveness. Watching his most dangerous opponents all the vigilance of both eyes, he sees the time come to make his effort, i "I shot my horse through, and we were in front. Craig-an-Eran came at us, drew alongside, horse and jockey struggling magnificently, but my galland Humorist had- that bit in re_ serve, and, answering my calls with superb courage, he pulled out all the great-hearted spirit and splendid resolution that was his, and we flashed past the winning post, a neck in front—we had won the Derby!” ; The book is artistically illustrated in colours, and with photographs, and includes, .a reproduction of Sir John Da very’s ‘painting of the jockey wearing the King’s colours.