Noel Meade

Noel Meade

DOB: January 2, 1951

Noel Meade is a name that is synonymous with success in Irish racing. He has been crowned Champion Trainer in Ireland on no less than seven occasions and his horses have consistently gained success at the highest level for many years. However, success in the racing game has been hard earned for Noel Meade over a period of no less than 36 years.

He began his training career back in 1971 with just one dual purpose horse to his name that he rode out himself. Meade is adamant that it was the win of Sweet Mint in the 1978 Cork & Orrery (now known as the Golden Jubilee Stakes) at Royal Ascot that launched him on the national and indeed, international training stage.

He continued to ply his trade with great success under both codes until the early 1990s when he decided to concentrate primarily on the National Hunt side of the game, and enjoyed success with the likes of Tiananmen Square and Cardinal Hill.

Meade has formed a formidable and lasting partnership with Paul Carberry, and the duo combined to great effect on Harbour Pilot, The Bunny Boiler, Harchibald, Scottish Memories and Strong Run

The Cheltenham Festival holds a special place in every National Hunt trainer’s heart and Noel Meade is no different. He reached a significant milestone in the year 2000 when Sausalito Bay won the Supreme Novice Hurdle (beating no less than Best Mate), thus giving him a belated first winner at the Festival. However the meeting that has become the focus of the National Hunt season has not always proved to be a happy hunting ground for Meade. He has had numerous near misses and disappointments there over the years, but thankfully the balance he started to be redressed in recent seasons with Nicanor and Go Native winning Grade 1 novice hurdles at the meeting.

Cheltenham Festival wins (3)

Spinal Research Supreme: 2000 Sausalito Bay, 2009 Go Native

Neptune: 2006 Nicanor