'John was an exceptional horseman' - tributes paid to 'a real natural talent'

John Enright, the former jockey who spent his career riding for Arthur Stephenson, has been remembered as “an exceptional horseman” after he died on October 1 at the age of 74.

After starting his career with Chally Chute on the Curragh, Enright moved to Britain where he teamed up to earn considerable success with Stephenson.

Enright’s biggest victory came on Rigton Prince in the 1971 Topham Chase at Aintree, and he also gained the notable achievement of riding four winners on a card at Newcastle on May 30, 1970.

Enright’s career was cut short after a freak accident at Sedgefield caused him to get mud in his eye which led him to go partially blind.

Gerry Enright, a former trainer, compared his brother’s riding style with Ruby Walsh, and said: “John was an exceptional horseman with a lovely pair of hands on him. The way he sat on a horse and produced a horse to a fence, he was a bit like Ruby Walsh.

“He was a great brother. He used to wear dark glasses and when I used to go home on holiday I used to say to him he looked like Roy Orbison! He was a hell of a good singer too, actually.”

He added: “His wife Janis was a brilliant woman and stuck beside him for over 40 years, and he loved his kids and grandchildren.”

Enright’s most prolific season came in 1970-71 when he rode 42 winners, and after retiring from riding he returned to Ireland where he pre-trained and sold horses.

David Goulding, who spent time alongside Enright when the pair worked for Arthur Stephenson, recalled the ex-jockey as “a great horseman” and a “really genuine person”.

He said: “John was a great horseman and was just a real natural talent with horses. He had lovely hands and a lovely seat on a horse too. He was good company and I travelled a lot of miles with him and he was a really genuine, great person.

“He damaged an eye and he couldn’t keep riding after that, so he went back to Ireland. He was breaking in and dealing with younger horses and there would be no better man to do that. He was a quiet man and patient with his horses and I don’t know anyone that didn’t like him.”

Enright is survived by his wife Janis, children John, Anthony, Angela and Kathryn and many grandchildren.

JOHN ENRIGHT CV

Full name John Joseph Enright

Born February 7, 1947

Apprenticed to Chally Chute, Curragh 1961-66

First winner Missa, Curragh, September 20, 1962

Topham Trophy winner Rigton Prince (1971)

Welsh Champion Chase winner Fanackapan (1971)

Other big-race winners Irish Rain (1970 John Eustace Smith Trophy), Supermaster (1970 Sundew Chase), Fanackapan (1971 Northumbria Chase), Celtic Gold (1971 Castleford Chase), Ballysagert (1972 Wetherby Chase)

Grand National rides 3

Four-timer Newcastle, May 30, 1970 (all for Arthur Stephenson)

Highest position in jump jockeys' championship 16th (1971-72)

Most wins in a season 42 (1970-71)

Total wins over jumps in Britain 137

Compiled by John Randall