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10 Apr 2026

Kildare grandson of racing jockey legend who had three Gold Cup wins lands a treble in Donegal

Gold Cup

Reporter:

Chris Ashmore

31 May 2017 2:56 PM

Pat Taaffe, grandson of the legendary Pat Taaffe, is shaping up to follow in the footsteps of his late grandfather who was the most successful jockey of his generation when it came to grade one races.
The late Pat Taaffe, who passed away in 1992 at the age of 62, famously rode Arkle to three Gold Cups in the sixties. He also landed two Aintree Grand Nationals, six Irish Grand Nationals and numerous other big race wins.
While young Pat has big shoes to fill, he is starting to show the same flair and composure in the saddle that helped his late grandfather become a household name back in the day.
Last Sunday in Porthall, the 15-year-old Kildare jockey guided Chasing A Dream to an effortless victory in the mile and a a half open. He quickly doubled up on Dream A Dream when just getting up by a neck after a pulsating finish. He completed the treble in the open mile when Gold Dream took victory with plenty in reserve.
Racing resumes on Sunday week, June 11th, in Ramelton at 2.30 pm.
The results from Porthall are:
2 Mile Open 1st I've Got It S Ewing 2nd Mr Bowen P Taaffe 3rd Ya Wee Skitter N Simpson 1 1/2 Mile Open 1st Chasing A Dream P Taaffe 2nd Ida's Dream R Laird 3rd Tinkerbell J Dunne Maiden 1 1/2 Mile 1st Dream A Dream P Taaffe 2nd Minded S Ewing 3rd Lets Go Now N Simpson 148cm 1 1/4 Mile 1st My Friend George J kelly 2nd Gracey Grey S EWING 3rd Ruby Diamond D DAVIS Non Winners 1 1/2 Mile 1st Forget Me Not J ROBINSON 2nd The Wagon Wheel J Dunne 3rd Don't Tell Chris R O Connor 153cm 1 1/4 Mile 1st Dylan's Pride S Ewing 2nd Mr Balboa P Taaffe 3rd Dodge THE Bullet N Simpson 1 1/4 Mile Open 1st Athea Jade N Simpson 2nd Morgan Spice P Taaffe 3rd Better Times Ahead S Ewing Local Pony 1st Holy Shoulder D Day 2nd Pepsi M Lusby 3rd The White Pony M Day 1 Mile Open 1st Gold Dream P Taaffe 2nd Let it Go N Simpson
** Photo of Pat Taaffe in action in Porthall on Sunday.

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