Taaffe, Pat(rick) (1930–1992)

Irish National Hunt jockey, born in Rathcoole, County Dublin, who famously rode Arkle to victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1964, 1965, and 1966. With his victory on Fort Leney in 1968 he became the first jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup four times. He won the Aintree Grand National twice and the Irish Grand National a record six times.

Son of the trainer Tom Taaffe, Taaffe began his racing career in 1945 as an amateur. He turned professional five years later, on being appointed first jockey to the Killsallaghan-based trainer, Tom Dreaper. On his retirement in 1970 Taaffe became a trainer, enjoying his greatest success with Captain Christy, who won the Irish Sweeps Hurdle in 1973, the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1974, and the King George VI Stakes in 1974 and 1975.