 |
|
Clare Jockey's Triumph
Tommy Cullinan Entertains Swindon Irish and proud of it!
Patrons of the Regent Cinema, Swindon, not only had the thrills of the Grand National conveyed to them in a sound
film, but saw the hero of the day T.B. Cullinan, the winning jockey, in the flesh.
Mr. Cullinan walked on to the
stage after the Grand National film had been on and there was a round of applause when he was introduced to the
audience by the manager, and again when he thanked them for the ovation. I spoke to "Tommy" as he is popularly
known, after his appearance on the stage, writes an "Evening World" reporter, and he described his successes as a
jockey.
Double victory
He is proud of his Clare birth and proud also that the horse he rode to victory in the Grand National is
Irish.Tommy completed the double for himself and for F. Hartigan's stable by winning two races at Liverpool on
'Shaun Goilin' and 'Kakushin' in the Champion Steeplechase the following day.
Addressing the audience he said "Though I have lived in Swindon for two years, I did not think my success in the
Grand National would have proved of interest to Sindon folk".
"Unfortunately, I have had to leave Swindon and live at Wantage, but my mother still stays at the
town."
Gallant horse
"Shaun Goilin", whom I rode in the National, is a very brave and
gallant horse. He is Irish like myself and the English meaning of his name is "John, the Fairy".
"I think there must be something of the Fairy about him, judging from the way he carried me to victory at
Liverpool. He gave me a most marvellous ride".
"I chatted with him after his appearance before the audience and learned of his rise in the jockey world."I came
from Ireland in December two years ago and rode the winner of the Irish Grand National in April 1928. My horse was
called "Don Sancho".
Luck
"I was also second in the Grand National in 1928, when I rode "Billy Barton" which was trained at Wroughton and was
owned by the late Sir Albury Eastings."I started to ride as an amateur in 1923 at the age of 18, and in 1927
headed the list for amateur riders."I came to England the same year with Mr. Frank Barbour, former owner of "Easter
Hero" "and in January 1928, I became a professional."I have had quite a lot of luck since then. I intended to
ride "Easter Hero" in the Grand National this year but I met with an accident and I was fortunate in securing
"Shaun Goilin" as my mount".
|
|
