Jack Purtell was a very accomplished jockey.
Among his many achievements during the 1940’s and 50’s, Purtell won three Melbourne Cups. We’re looking into those, as well taking a peek at the background of the man himself.
About Jack Purtell
John Michael Purtell was born in 1921. He managed to ride in his first race at the age of just 15 in 1936.
Purtell became known as ‘Gentleman Jack’ during his career. He began as an apprentice to trainer Ted Temby in Victoria. In 1937, Purtell won his first race aboard a horse called Bonus at Mentone.
Jack Purtell partnered more than 1700 winners in his career. During that time, he was several major races including three Melbourne Cups, four Cox Plates and a Caulfield Cup.
The jockey’s record in the Melbourne Cup is outstanding but it could have been even better. Despite the achievements of Rising Fast, the best horse he rode in his career was the great Comic Court.
Purtwell rode Comic Court to 19 victories. Strangely, he opted not to ride him in the 1950 Melbourne Cup, though the horse did go on to win the big race.
Melbourne Cup Achievements
Few jockeys win more than one Melbourne Cup. Double winners are rare and are rightly celebrated. Fewer still are ableto ride three winners and that is what Jack Purtell managed.
Purtell also rode two Melbourne Cup winners in a row and formed a potent partnership with Rising Fast, one of the best and most versatile horses of his time.
Jack Purtell’s Melbourne Cup Wins
Jack Purtell’s three Melbourne Cup wins were somewhat of a whirlwind for the rider. They all came within eight seasons, making him the big name of his era. Here are all three wins:
| Year | Winner | Age | Trainer | Horse Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Rising Fast | 5 | Ivan Tucker | LR Spring | 3:23.00 |
| 1953 | Wodalla | 4 | Robert Sinclair | Ted Underwood | 3:23.75 |
| 1947 | Hiraji | 4 | JW McCurley | Fred W Hughes | 3:28.00 |
Jockeys tend to need great partners in order to make their name. In Rising Fast, Purtell had just that.
Having already won the race twice, including only a year earlier, Purtell got the ride on Rising Fast in 1954. The New Zealand-bred went on to become the only horse to win the Spring Grand Slam.
Rising Fast took the Cox Plate, the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup in 1954. The achievement accentuated that of Purtell in the saddle who was landing his Cup hat-trick.
Rising Fast also went onto win the 1955 Caulfield Cup, and he was second in the Melbourne Cup. He is one of the best horses to have competed in the Melbourne Cup, ever. Purtell’s association with him did his career and his memory no harm whatsoever.
