A NEW era for the historic Greenogue Stables officially begins today as five-time champion National Hunt trainer Jim Dreaper passes on the baton to son Tom, who has assumed the training licence and will send out his first runners under rules at Navan this afternoon.

Having opted not to renew his licence for another season, Jim bows out after more than half a century in the training ranks and is one of the most respected horsemen in the sport.

The 73-year-old was crowned Irish champion jumps trainer in each of his first five seasons after taking over from his father Tom in 1972, at the age of 20. He amassed a sublime haul of big-race wins.

For several years more recently, his son Tom has been a key part of the Greenogue operation and registered an impressive 25% strike rate with point-to-point runners in his own name last season.

In a fitting but coincidental piece of timing, Tom’s first two representatives will come on Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novice Chase day at Navan - the race honouring his grandfather Tom’s outstanding chaser and hurdler of the mid-1960s.

”Time moves on”

Speaking to The Irish Field, Jim Dreaper said: “Things change and you have to change with them. More than anything, it’s just a change of name on the licence - I’ve been the gofer here for the last few years.

“Time moves on and at more than 40 years of age, it’s time for him to take it in this direction. As we had agreed for the last few years, he has been a major part of the operation here.”

Grand National history

Amongst his greatest achievements, Jim Dreaper captured the Irish Grand National a phenomenal four times through Colebridge (1974) and Brown Lad (1975, 1976 and 1978), while in 1975, he memorably captured the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Ten Up, the Champion Chase with Lough Inagh and Stayers’ Hurdle with Brown Lad.

The highly-talented Merry Gale was an 18-time winner on the track for Dreaper, who also enjoyed several major successes with the exceptional Carvill’s Hill.

Notre Pere was one of the stable’s finest flagbearers in recent times, becoming the first Irish-trained horse to win the Welsh Grand National in 2008 before going on to easily land the Punchestown Gold Cup by 13 lengths the following spring. Goonyella and Venitien De Mai also won valuable staying handicap chases for Dreaper with the backing of the late Ann and Alan Potts in the last decade.

Dreaper’s first winner as a trainer came through Straight Fort in the Express Chase at Sandown in January 1972, quickly followed a month later by Good Review, who became the first Irish-trained winner of the Schweppes Gold Trophy.

Formerly an amateur rider, he was just touched off on Black Secret for his father in the previous year’s Grand National.

Put to him that not many trainers are able to make it to 52 years with a licence, Dreaper quipped: “Maybe they’re lucky!”

He added: “I’ve been fortunate in life to get this far. I was handed everything on a plate and I’ve been lucky to be healthy all my life. I’ve had a good family around me and have no regrets.

Future plans

“I’ll very much still be around the place. Until I get a P45 from him, basically everything will stay the same. We’ve got some young horses around the place and about 20 in training.”

The Chris Jones-owned El Capitaine is set to be Tom’s first runner under rules in his own name in the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle (2.40) today, followed by Shopping Around in the concluding mares’ handicap chase (4.58). He also has possible runners at Leopardstown and Thurles in the coming days.

Speaking on the occasion of Jim’s 70th birthday in January 2021, Ted Walsh said: “In my opinion Jim Dreaper is the gentleman of all gentlemen.

“There isn’t a wrong turn in his body and there’s not many in racing you can say that about. I’ve always found him to be the nicest and most unassuming person I ever met.

“From finishing second in a Grand National as a jockey to being champion trainer and winning umpteen big races, he has a lot achieved. Yet there is no airs and graces about him. All he wants to do is to help you. I have ridden against him and I have ridden winners for him, and he has been a gentleman every step of the way.”