Popular former jockey Tommy McGivern dies at the age of 62

Tommy McGivern, a leading jump jockey in the 1970s and 1980s who was closely associated with Michael Cunningham’s powerful stable, has died aged 62 after a short illness.

McGivern’s riding career spanned just over 20 years up to the beginning of the 1990s, and he came close to winning a jockeys' title in the mid-1980s when just losing out to Frank Berry. From Drumconrath in County Meath, he was previously married to Joanna Morgan, with whom he has two daughters, Katie and Maggie. He also has an older son, Noel.

McGivern, a popular figure within the industry, rode his first winner as a teenager for Cunningham, for whom he enjoyed success on the 1982 Champion Hurdle hero For Auction, as well as other flagbearers for the stable such as Irish Fashion, Greasepaint, and Drumgora, on whom he won the 1977 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

In 1980, McGivern won what is now the Red Rum Chase at Aintree on Drumgora, when trained by Arthur Moore. In December 1978, he was responsible for the defeat of the newly crowned Champion Hurdler Monksfield when guiding Rathinree to victory over him at Fairyhouse for permit holder George Armstrong.

McGivern also enjoyed success for Bunny Cox, including aboard the decent hurdler and chaser Fort Fox, Paddy Prendergast, Dermot Weld and Noel Meade and won the 1979 Munster National on Kilcoleman for Billy Boyers.

Noel Meade: enjoyed a successful association with Tommy McGivernCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

After retiring from the saddle, he spent a number of years training in Maryland in the United States. More recently, before falling ill he had been working as a stalls handler back on home soil.

"Tommy lived life to the full, like all the cavalier jockeys of his time," said Morgan of her ex-husband. "He was a brilliant rider and so chilled out, which is probably what made him such a good jockey – he was easy-going. He rode my first winner as a trainer and we had some great days together."

Cunningham added: "He adapted into the game very quickly and established himself into a lovely rider at a young age. He would have ridden a lot of winners for me, with Irish Fashion up there with the best of them.

"Tom certainly enjoyed life. He was great craic to be around and we had some great times together, lots of great memories."

McGivern will lie in repose in Finlay's Funeral Home, Ardee on Thursday from 2pm to 7pm. His funeral mass & burial will take place on Friday at 11am in Saints Peter & Paul's Church Drumconrath.

The Mass will be streamed on Drumconrath Parish Facebook page.

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