Daniel A. Maher

Biography

Danny Maher was one of America's elite jockeys in the 1890s as a teenager before becoming a legendary rider in England during the early 20th century. 

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1881, Maher became a jockey at the age of 14 after serving an apprenticeship under trainer W. C. “Father Bill” Daly. Before moving to England, Maher won races such as the Champagne Stakes (1898), Brighton Cup (1899), Gazelle Handicap (1899), Brooklyn Handicap (1899), Tremont Stakes (1899, 1900), Carter Handicap (1900), and Metropolitan Handicap (1900).

After winning 350 races in America, Maher won 1,421 more in England, where he won nine British Classics, including three editions of the Epsom Derby (1903, 1905, 1906). He won two-thirds of the English Triple Crown aboard Rock Sand in 1903, the Epsom Derby and St. Leger.

Along with Rock Sand, Maher won the Epsom Derby with Cicero (1905) and Spearmint (1906). He won a second St. Leger in 1909 with Bayardo, the Two Thousand Guineas with Neil Gow (1910) and Sweeper II (1912), and the 1906 Epsom Oaks with Keystone II. Maher won the Eclipse Stakes five times (1902, 1904, 1906, 1909, 1910), the Ascot Gold Cup twice (1906, 1910), and the 1912 Irish Derby with Civility.

Maher was the leading rider in England in wins in 1908 and 1912.

Achievements

England's leading rider in wins — 1908, 1912

Other Highlights

Won the Eclipse Stakes — 1902, 1904, 1906, 1909, 1910
Won the Epsom Derby — 1903, 1905, 1906
Won the Tremont Stakes — 1899, 1900
Won the St. Leger Stakes — 1903, 1909
Won the Ascot Gold Cup — 1906, 1910
Won the Two Thousand Guineas — 1910, 1912
Won the Champagne Stakes — 1898
Won the Brighton Cup — 1899
Won the Brooklyn Handicap — 1899
Won the Metropolitan Handicap — 1900
Won the One Thousand Guineas — 1901
Won the Epsom Oaks — 1906
Won the Irish Derby — 1912