His father, Tom Taaffe, was a trainer who saddled the winner of the 1958 Grand National, Mr.
[2]: 34 Taaffe secured the first of two Grand National wins in 1955, riding the Vincent O'Brien trained Quare Times.
[3] There were also six victories in the Irish Grand National (1954 Royal Approach, 1955 Umm, 1959 Zonda, 1961 Fortria, 1964 Arkle, 1966 Flyingbolt).
Arkle started favourite in the Rathconnel Handicap Hurdle over two miles and won by four lengths.
After Arkle's injury and retirement, Taaffe partnered his stablemate Fort Leney to victory in the 1968 Cheltenham Gold Cup.