Graham Lee (jockey)

Graham Lee (born December 16, 1975 in Galway, Republic of Ireland) is a successful Irish National Hunt jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Prior to May 2006, he was the main stable jockey for Howard Johnson, but was replaced by Paddy Brennan, allegedly after a disagreement over his return from an injury. Lee became the main stable jockey and deputy trainer for Ferdy Murphy. Lee attained the feat of being only the third National Hunt jockey to be in the top two positions in the National Hunt Jockey's Championship in ten years, displacing Richard Johnson. It is speculated that he could have challenged Tony McCoy for the title had he not suffered a severe injury, a view that has been consolidated by the March victory of Naisad Du Misselot at Cheltenham.

Although his profile had dipped sharply among the ranks since joining Murphy, Lee has come very much back into the sport's consciousness through his involvement with several improving chasers and hurdlers, and moving into second place in the 2007-08 jockeys championship. It is expected that upon his retirement as a jockey he will become a trainer.

Career

Lee joined the Howard Johnson team permanently in 2002, after leaving the stables of Malcolm Jefferson and was largely responsible for the schooling and on-track development of horses owned by Graham Wylie including Inglis Drever, No Refuge and Arcalis.

Lee held freelance status, and rode for many other trainers during these years, most notably Ginger McCain. Now with stables of Ferdy Murphy, Lee maintains freelance status and his recent outside successeses have included a Peterborough Chase in 2006 for Henrietta Knight when partnering Racing Demon to a 4 length victory.

Achievements

Wetherby

In an autumn meeting of 2003 at Wetherby Racecourse, Lee achieved one of his most famous feats, by winning a quintuple of races. This achievement secured a win of over £500,000 on a fivefold accumulator bet.

Grand National

After managing to take third place with the horse in the 2003 race, in 2004 Lee won the Grand National on Amberleigh House. The horse was trained by Ginger McCain, who famously trained three time winner Red Rum. The success could not be repeated, however, as the horse achieved only tenth place in 2005, and was finally retired after being pulled up at the 21st fence in 2006.

Lee rode favourite Joe's Edge in the 2007 National, but pulled up at the 20th fence after failing to trouble the leaders.

Lee was scheduled to ride Idle Talk for Donald McCain, the son of Ginger McCain, in the 2008 Grand National, however he was ruled out after sustaining multiple fractures to the jaw several weeks earlier.

Record

2003: Amberleigh House (3rd)2004: Amberliegh House (1st)2005: Amberliegh House (10th)2006: Amberliegh House (P21)2007: Joe's Edge (P20)2008: Did not enter

cottish National

Victorious in the Scottish National in 2004, by riding topweight Grey Abbey to win by a distance Lee became one of only three jockeys, along with Brian Fletcher and Ruby Walsh, to achieve a "Grand National Double". Lee missed the 2006 National due to a virus, which would eventually end his relationship with John Howard Jonhson. He was second in the 2007 National, again on Nine De Sivola and missing out by just half a length, as in the Irish Grand National of the same year.

Record

2004: Grey Abbey (1st)
2005: Ballycassidy (Pulled Up)
2006: Did not enter (injured)
2007: Nine De Sivola (2nd)
2008: Did not enter (injured)

Grey Abbey

The horse was sent to the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup, where Lee again took the ride but it was reported that the horse was injured during the race, which is thought to be the reason for it finishing fifth. Lee, however, went on to win Top Jockey for the Cheltenham Festival. Subsequently, Grey Abby retired just over a week before the 2005 Scottish Grand National. In March, 2006, it was reported that Grey Abbey's trainer, John Howard Johnson, would bring him out of retirement for the 2006 Scottish National, but this plan was not put into action.

Irish National

Lee has never won the Irish national, but came second in 2007 when riding Nine De Sivola. Nine De Sivola was also second in the Scottish national in the same year, again missing out by just half a length.

Record

2007: Nine De Sivola (2nd)2008: Did not Enter (injured)

Cheltenham Festival

Lee won the award for top jockey at the 2005 festival (which included his first ever win at Cheltenham), and finished fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He failed to make any impact in the 2006 festival, but ended a 49 race drought when winning at 20-1 on the third day of the 2007 festival. He was injured for the duration of the 2008 festival. Lee has taken two rides in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, finishing 5th on Grey Abbey after leading for the majority of the race in 2005, and Ballycassidy in 2006.

Betfred Gold Cup

Lee was aboard Hot Weld in the 2007 Betfred Gold Cup as the horse posted the first ever double of the Scottish National and Betfred Gold Cup. Ironically, he had been on stablemate, Nine De Sivola in the Scottish National.

Prize Money

In the 2008/09 season, Lee became the first jockey to win £100,000 in prize money in that season.

Previous Stables

Noel Meade - After a successful stint on the Irish Pony Circuit, Lee left school at the age of 15 to join the stable.

Dessie McDonogh - Based in County Meath, this was Lee's last position in Ireland before moving to England.

Mary Reveley - During this stint, Lee was a minor jockey, not riding many high profile horses. He also suffered a horrific knee injury, from which it took more than seven months to recover.

Bill Haigh - Here, recovering from his severe injury problems, Lee rose to the top ten in the Jockey Championship.

Malcolm Jefferson - A successful stint for Lee which secured him the lucrative position with Howard Johnson, and fifth place in the jockey championship.

J Howard Johnson - With this stable, Lee secured the top jockey award at Cheltenham and a Scottish Grand National win. He finished third in the Jockey Championship, behind Tony McCoy and Richard Johnson. He also won the Grand National during this period, but this was for Ginger McCain.

Personal life

Lee comes from a very sporting family. His grandfather, Matthew Lee, played for Kilmarnock FC as well as being capped for his national team. His brother, Malcolm Lee was a flat jockey, as is his cousin Dean Mernagh. He is an in-law relation to another jockey, Shane Kelly, through his paternal grandfather.

He is a close friend of champion jockey, Tony McCoy, with whom he had lodged in the past.

He is married with two daughters.

Achievements

"Grand National" - WON : Amberleigh House, 2004.

"Scottish Grand National " - WON: Grey Abbey, 2004

"Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey" - WON: 3 wins, 2005

"Cheltenham World Hurdle" - WON: Inglis Dreaver, 2005

"Cheltenham Supreme Novices Hurdle" - WON: Arcalis, 2005

"Irish Grand National" - 2nd: Nine De Sivola, 2007

"Cheltenham Gold Cup" - 5th: Grey Abbey, 2005

Champion Jockey Standings
*2000/01 - 3rd
*2001/02 - 3rd
*2002/03 - 3rd
*2003/04 - 3rd
*2004/05 - 3rd
*2005/06 - 3rd
*2006/07 - 5th
*2007/08 - 5th (injured)
*2008/09 - 2nd (as of 31 May 2008)

External links

* [http://www.grandnational.cjb.net/ Year by year race reports of the Grand National]