Page 13 - The Game September 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, September 2006 13
Legendary Retired Irish JockeyVisits Hastings
Jackie Humber photo
By Jackie Humber
Ireland's former leading Hunt Jockey, Thomas "Tommy" Kinane recently graced the paddock of Hastings Racecourse. At 5'2 and 100 pounds, Kinane"s compact athletic body seemed as ready and able to ride today.
Kinane is well known as the winner of the 1978 Champion Hurdle race in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He has won Classic races in England, France and Ireland spanning more than two decades.
With his thick Irish accent , Kinane describes his views Hunt racing.
He's that good ," said Kinane.
According to Kinane the main difference between European
racing and North-American racing is the distance and the weights of the jockeys.
"In Ireland, our longest race is three miles and five furlongs. Our shortest is five furlongs on the flat. The highest weight is 10 stone for a four-year-old or over race. That's 140 pounds to you," he said. Kinane and his late wife, Francis raised a family of seven children; four sons and three daughters. He is also blessed with 11 grandchildren. Proving the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, all four sons became professional jockeys. Three sons are retired from racing but his son Michael is still
Continued Page 19 see Tommy Kinane
"Well you see, its jumping over hurdles on grass. I loved to
jump. I was a little heavy for flat racing, so I did all my racing racing. over jumps. I was known as the
Iron Boy," he said with an
infectious smile.
Kinane grew up on the family farm in Tipperary, Ireland with nine brothers and five sisters. It was on the farm where he and his brothers taught themselves to ride and jump.
"Well, we had our own Regal pony. We used to ride him bare- back, so you had to learn rather quickly," said Kinane.
At age 15, Kinane began working at a farm just up the road from his home. "I started with the famous, Tim Hyde. I was lucky to start with him because he could really ride. He won the Aintree Grand National and The Shelby Gold Cup. Those are very prestigious races. So I was very lucky to get my start with him," said Kinane.
By the age of 18, Kinane had received his license and was entered in his first professional race. His rosy red cheeks begin to glow as he fondly remembers back to that day.
"Well, my first race was in Bath, (England). It was on a two- year-old. I remember the race clearly. Lester Piggott won . He was only 16 at the time," said Kinane.
His Irish wit surfaced when asked how he and his mount finished.
"Well I got around," said Kinane. "I remember I got around.”
Kinane also rode three times in the World Famous Grand National. An enduring race covering 4 and 1/2 miles with 30 jumps, each of which they jump twice except for two.
At 73 years-old, Kinane's memory is still as sharp as a tack. "Oh yes, I finished sixth in my first attempt. I fell at Beechers in my second and the third time, my mount pulled up at 27" he said as he shook his head.
As the afternoon races come to an end, Kinane points to a Hastings Jockey that has caught his attention. "I've been watching this Gutierrez lad all day and I can see that he is a very good rider. He could ride in Europe.
Saturday, December 2, 2006
For a catalogue and information contact the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) (416) 675-3602 or visit www.cthsont.com
Owner Jane Foxwell and Tommy Kinane inside the paddock at Hastings.
Entries Close: September 29, 2006
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