Thomas Corrigan (1851[1] or May 1854[2] – 14 August 1894), invariably known as "Tom" or "Tommy", was an Australian steeplechase jockey who died as a result of injuries sustained while racing.
[3] After winning a hack steeplechase race at his home town Woodford, Victoria on his mare Juliet, he was employed to ride for trainer William Tozer of nearby Warrnambool.
[4] Horses with whom he was notably associated include Lone Hand, Postboy, Cronstadt, Hotspur, Game, Sir Wilfred, Sailor, Left Bower, Blue Jacket, Lord Harry, Twilight, Adonis, Sussex, Kildare, Native, and Great Western.
A notable exception was at Flemington in 1888 when he momentarily lost control of Kangaroo, with the result that Ruby, ridden by fellow Ballarat jockey (and later a distinguished trainer) James Scobie[6] was "squeezed", and after a protest Corrigan was disqualified.
[8] He suffered severe brain injuries on Saturday 11 August 1894 during the running of the VATC Grand National Steeplechase when his horse Waiter fell.
Despite career earnings of some £15,000, Corrigan died destitute, a fact Ferry attributes to speculation on the Stock Exchange and subsequent losses in the 1890s depression.