Paddy Lenehan

Paddy Lenehan had two diverse sporting careers, one as an amateur boxer and the other as a jockey, racehorse trainer, breeder, and owner. A welterweight boxer, Lenehan was chosen for the 1924 Paris Olympics but did not take part. Newspaper reports of the day do not indicate why he was a non-participant, but it was reported that he missed the inaugural Tailteann Games in Dublin a few weeks later due to sustaining a “previous injury”. Lenehen did, however, get chance to compete at the Olympics, at Amsterdam in 1928, when he beat Denmark’s Arne Sande before losing to Canada’s Ray Smillie on a decision in the next round.

In between the two Olympics, Lenehan earned a name for himself as a leading amateur jockey and was one of four siblings to enjoy a career in the “Sport of Kings”. His younger brother Jimmy was the most successful jockey of the four, but it was Paddy who enjoyed a long and successful career as a trainer. He also bred and owned racehorses at his Cabra Stable, Dublin. Lenehan retired from boxing in 1929 to concentrate fully on his racing and training and continued as a competitive rider into his 50s. His son Brian maintained the family tradition and was also an amateur jockey.