Address: Conna, Co. Cork
Principal Jockeys: Patrick Mangan, Sean Flanagan
Notable Wins: Thyestes Handicap Chase (Whinstone Boy 2010), Powers Gold Cup (Conna Castle 2008), Kilbegnet European Breeders Fund Novice Chase (Conna Castle 2007), Aintree Grand National (Monty’s Pass 2003), Guinness Kerry National (Monty’s Pass 2002), Denny Gold Medal Handicap Chase (Monty’s Pass 2001)
60 Seconds With Jimmy Mangan
Q: Do you think you will ever have a better day in racing than the day Monty’s Pass won the Aintree Grand National?
A: I don’t think so. Even if I won it again, they always say the first time is the best.
Q: Who was or is the best rider you have ever seen?
A: Paul Carberry
Q: What is the most talented horse you have had through your hands?
A: I’d have to say Monty’s Pass.
Q: Of the races you have not yet won, which would you most like to win?
A: I’d love to have a horse for the Cheltenham Gold Cup some day.
Q: Do you have a young horse to follow for the season?
A: I have a lot of nice young point-to-pointers, but to be honest I couldn’t single out one of them as a potential star at the moment.
Jimmy Mangan has been one of the most popular members of the training ranks for many years and he consistently brings a steady stream of horses through his hands to win in the point-to-point field as well as on the racetrack. Based in Conna, Co. Cork, Mangan’s yard invariably houses a quality performer and he will always be associated with his Aintree Grand National winner, Monty’s Pass.
Monty’s Pass Rules The Roost
Like so many of Jimmy Mangan’s best horses, Monty’s Pass was a graduate of the point-to-point scene. Having won between the flags, he took the traditional next step by winning a hunter chase at Cork in April 1999. He won his first handicap chase off a mark of 88, gradually creeping up the handicap by gaining further wins at Listowel, Gowran Park and Tipperary, finishing second in the Galway Plate and being pulled up when favourite for the Kerry National in between. 2001/2 saw him gain what was at that stage, the biggest win of his career, when prevailing in the Denny Gold Medal Handicap Chase at Tralee before going on to finish in the frame in the Kerry National and the Munster National as well as running well in the Mildmay of Flete at the Cheltenham Festival. On his next start he tackled the infamous Aintree fences for the first time when finishing an encouraging second in the Topham Chase, but better was to come the following season.
His 2002/3 campaign began encouragingly with good runs in the Galway Plate and Denny Gold Medal Handicap Chase being followed by a well-deserved big race success in the Kerry National under Barry Geraghty. From then on, his season was geared towards a bid for the greatest steeplechase in the world, the Aintree Grand National, with his high-profile owner, Mike Futter, striking numerous big bets on him for that race. When the big day at Aintree arrived, Mangan had the 10-year-old at fever pitch and under an inspired Barry Geraghty ride, Monty’s Pass landed the gamble by a highly impressive 12 lengths margin, reputedly landing Futter over £1m in winning bets. Mangan and the horse received a memorable reception back in Ireland and the celebrations which will long live in the memory. While Monty’s Pass could only add a charity race to his tally during the remainder of his career, his and Mangan’s legacies were sealed on that magical day at Aintree.
Conna Castle Takes Centre Stage
While the win of Monty’s Pass is unlikely ever to be bettered by a Mangan-trained performer, the yard had a fair substitute for a star performer in the shape of Conna Castle. Having won three point-to-points in late-2004, he showed himself to be a highly-promising sort by winning two bumpers in early-2005. The following season he stamped himself as one of the top novice hurdlers of his generation, winning three novice events as well as finishing second in the Grade 2 John Smith's Imagine Appeal Top Novices' Hurdle at the Aintree Grand National Festival. A stuttering start to his chasing career in 2006/7 was soon forgotten as he made up for lost time in 2007/8, winning two novice chases before disappointing as favourite for the Galway Plate having made a very bad blunder mid-race. He quickly bounced back to form winning a conditions chase at the Listowel Harvest Festival and t Grade 3 Kilbegnet European Breeders Fund Novice Chase at Roscommon just 10 days later. A winter break then followed and after making a promising reappearance at Thurles, the nine-year-old got the better of no less than Big Zeb to win the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. While he has failed to win since that memorable day, Conna Castle has maintained his form admirably well, earning plenty of prize money for his connections in Graded and handicap chases.
An Influx Of New Blood
As if by magic, just as Conna Castle’s winning run came to an end in 2007/8, 2008/9 saw Mangan unleash another string of promising horses to take his place including the promising hunter chaser Rudi Trucker, the improving mare Go Sandy Go and the unexposed novice hurdler Next Week. However, the pick of the bunch was unquestionably Whinstone Boy. A two-time winner in point-to-points, he quickly proved himself progressive over both hurdles and fences, culminating in a splendidly game performance to land a gamble in the prestigious Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park. Having supplemented that win with another success in a conditions chase at Clonmel a fortnight later, there now is a realistic chance that he is high enough in the weights to get into the Aintree Grand National in April.
With another live Aintree Grand National contender, as well as a number of other promising youngsters in his yard, Jimmy Mangan looks sure to remain in the eye of the racing public for many years to come. In addition to this, Mangan has recently become known as a sire of racing talent, with his son Patrick making a positive impression on many with his winning displays in the saddle in 2009/10. Regardless of how successful his horses prove to be, Mangan is sure to remain one of the most respected and well liked trainers in Irish racing.
Updated February 2010.
