Category Archives: Jockeys

Introduction

 

While many people might not be aware of Michael Kinane, he should be a case study for intercontinental success. With incredible success in the United Kingdom and Ireland, he also won tournaments in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Slovakia and lastly the United States. Having rode well into the later part of the noughties, Kinane won an incredible amount over a two-decade career.

 

Given that his father Tommy, was a major National Hunt level jockey, it’s no surprise that Michael got into the sport to follow in his Champion Hurdle father.

 

Career Summary

 

Having had the pleasure of winning the 2000 Guineas four times, the Epsom Derby three times, the Melbourne Cup and also the Belmont Stakes, he’s picked up many of the major tournaments out there on the market. With 13 Irish Champion Jockey wins, too, he’s easily one of the most decorated riders of his era.

 

His career even passed into the breeding era, too. As the breeder of the 2007 Epsom Derby winner, Authorized, Kinane has been involved in both wins on the course and in the stable. Having ridden for names such as Dermot Weld, John Magnier, Aidan O’Brien and John Oxx, he was involved with some of the biggest names in the business. With major successes at events such as Longchamp, too, he managed to create a career for himself that was built on variety as much as consistency.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – 2,000 Guineas (1990, 1997, 1998, 2009), Ascot Gold Cup (1996, 2000, 2007), Coronation Cup (2007), Eclipse Stakes (1993, 1997, 2002, 2009), Melbourne Cup (1993), Derby Italiano (1992, 1995), Champions Mile (2007), Japan Cup (1997), Belmont Stakes (1990).

 

Associations – John Magnier, Aidan O’Brien, Dermot Weld, John Oxx.

 

Earnings – ?

 

 

Introduction

 

A true name within the sport itself, Richard Dunwoody has become a name associated with politics as much as the sport that he excelled at and loved. Now a prominent campaigner for the Conservative Party, at one stage Richard Dunwoody was renowned as one of the best jockeys of all-time. with 1,699 British winners in his career, he led on from his father – a P2P rider – in becoming an elite-level jockey of incredible success.

 

Career Summary

 

Major wins in his vast career included the likes of four wins at the King George VI Chase, two wins at the Grand National and a Cheltenham Gold Cup. With a huge amount of winners in his life, though, Dunwoody is not someone who it would be fair to pick out just some highlights. He’s been one of the most prominent and consistent jockeys of his generation, having become one of the most revered jockeys ever seen.

 

However, Dunwoody also spends a lot of time carrying out charitable acts. in 2008, he worked with Doug Stoup, a US explorer, to reach the South Pole following an incredible 48-day walk. They raised a lot of money for charity, and completed another astounding feat of grit and determination at the same time.

 

Having proven his credentials as an extensively competitive and intelligent man, Dunwoody has gone on to be involved in many different charitable events. Add to the fact that he was the Jump Jockey of the Year five times in a row, and it’s safe to say that his career as both a jockey and a community member has been a success!

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – King George Chase (1989, 1990, 19956, 1996), Grand National (1986, 1994), Cheltenham Gold Cup (1988).

 

Associations – Desert Orchid, One Man, West Tip, Minnehoma, Charter Party.

 

Introduction

 

Known as one of the more impressive jockeys of his era, Richard Johnson is an impressive name within the British National Hunt scene. With a racing family around him – his father an amateur jockey himself, and his mother a trainer of horses – Johnson was always destined for a career in the sport. At the age of 18, he was crowned the Champion Conditional Jockey, aged just 18. His first win then came at Rusty Bridge in his local Hereford, in 1994.

 

From there, he’s gone on to establish himself as a popular part of the racing circuit for various reasons.

 

Career Summary

 

For one, he’s known for having an excellent temperament and performance level for the Cheltenham Festival. With wins at the 1999 Stayers’ Hurdle, the 2000 Gold Cup, the 2002 Queen Mother Chase and the Smurfit Kappa Group Champion Hurdle, he’s picked up a fine collection of medals over an impressive career.

 

More impressively, though, he became just the eighth National Hunt jockey to win an impressive 1,000 rides. By 2016, he had achieved an incredible 3000 wins. He also won the Champion Jockey title after more than 16 runner-up occasions, lifting it for the first time in his professional career in 2016.

 

Sadly, though, Johnson holds the record for the most Grand National rides without ever finding a winner! Despite that, he’s a well-recognized name on the circuit who is respected by many. In another era, he might have a much busier trophy cabinet.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – Stayers Hurdle (1999), Cheltenham Gold Cup (2000), Queen Mother Championship Chase (2002), Smurfit Kappa Group Champion Hurdle (2003), Champion Jockey (2016).

 

Associations – Sue Johnson, David Nicholson.

 

Introduction

 

Joe Mercer is, to many people of a certain vintage, the face of British racing. Known for his wonderful personality and a trophy cabinet that puts many of his contemporaries to shame, Joe Mercer is a true legend of the sport. Active for close to 40 years, he took over 2,800 horses to the win, which has only been topped by a small selection of other legends such as Frankie Dettori.

 

With wins from the 50s right through to the 80s, Mercer lifted everything from the Epsom Oaks to the Irish 2,000 Guineas and even the Prix de Diane in 1974. As the British Flat Racing Champion Apprentice in both 1952 and 1953, it’s safe to say that the enigmatic Mercer more than lived up to the early hype.

 

Career Summary

 

With a career that is too hard to sum up in mere words, the success of Joe Mercer can be examined in his reverence throughout the sport. Having worked in the sport until 2006 as both a jockey manager and then a race manager for Gainsborough, as well, he made a massive impact both in and out of the saddle.

 

Happily, Mercer bowed out of the sport with a win on the last day of the 1985 season, when Michael Hills graciously stepped aside for him to take Comme l’Etoile over the finish line one more time. In typical Mercer style, he hopped on the unfancied Bold Rex for the Manchester November Handicap – taking it to one more victory as a stellar career.

 

A fitting end to a truly legendary career – and one that should serve as inspiration to any young and aspiring jockeys.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – Epsom Oaks (1953), St. Leger Stakes (1965, 1974, 1980, 1981), 2,000 Guineas Stakes (1971), 1,000 Guineas Stakes (1974, 1979), Irish 2,000 Guineas (1973), Irish Derby (1959), Irish St Leger (1965), Prix de Diane (1974).

 

Associations – Brigadier Gerard, Highclere, Bustino, Kris, Le Moss.

 

Earnings – ?