Page 19 - The Game September 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, September 2006 19
TOMMY KINANE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
"Ah yes. Michael is a very good jockey. He has won most of the top races in the world," said Kinane. Proving his Irish wit is never too far from the surface, he talks more about his famous son’s abilities. "He's got a lot of talent, just like his father he is."
Michael Kinane's resume is very impressive. He has held the title of Champion Jockey in Ireland on 13 occasions. He also has won most of the top races in Europe and his resume stretches across the continents to include three Breeders’ Cups. He has ridden for top trainers including, Aiden O'Brien and the John Oxx Stables.
Now that the elder Kinane has retired from 22 years as a professional jump jockey and 27 years as a trainer, he enjoys his time golfing and visiting racetracks around the world.
When asked about his golf
handicap he quips,
"Well I would have to say its my bag," he said chuckling.
Kinane belongs to The Irish Racecourse Club which started 10 years ago when a group of friends and their wives started going to racetracks and decided to form a club.
Today, the club has more than 400 members and approximately 60 to 70 members travel as a group to different racetracks around the world a couple of times a year. Last year a group of horsemen from Hastings joined up with the club members in Dubai.
“Some of our members wanted to visit Hastings Racecourse, and Vancouver. Our manager is Tony O'Reilly and his wife is the secretary. They do a fantastic job," he said.
The Irish Racecourse Club members have been all over the world including Australia, Singapore, Germany, Dubai, France and South Africa.
"I would definitely have to say my favorite place to visit was South Africa. I travelled to three different tracks there, " said Kinane.
With an arm- stretching motion he describes the race- tracks. "They were mostly left handed with wide sweeping turns," he said.
WhileinSouthAfrica, Kinane was fortunate to visit the cell where Nelson Mandela had been held for 27 years. His eyes became misty when he recalled his visit. "I stood in his cell and when you’re in there... it takes your breath away," he explained.
This coming Spring members of the Irish Racecourse Club are planing a trip to South America. Kinane is looking forward to the trip which may include a horse- back ride over the Andes. "Well when I go home I think I'll practice up for the ride. I'm really
looking forward to that," he said.
During his 10 day visit to Vancouver, Kinane
enjoyed sight seeing with his friend and Hastings race- horse owner Jane Foxwell. He toured Whistler and enjoyed a round of golf.
"Oh, I've had a great time here. The city is beautiful and the racecourse is in a beautiful setting. Vancouver is a great city. When I return I will give Vancouver an A1 grade. If the members come to Vancouver, we'll come through America first. I think they will want to see Woodbine and then we'll spend some time in Vancouver," said Kinane.
Hope to see you and 60 of your friends next season Tommy!
Cheers.
Did You Know...
That the lawyer of British jockey, Kieren Fallon, plans to meet with the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority in September
to secure an approval for Kieren to ride in the Breeders’ Cup races on November 4 at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. Fallon is a first-call rider for the Ballydoyle operation and
was banned from racing in England while awaiting trial for race fixing allegations. He is permitted to ride in Ireland and France however he was banned from riding at Arlington Park in the Arlington Million by Illinois officials. Kentucky Horse Racing Authority Executive Director Jim Gallagher was reported to have commented that while they typically would uphold a suspension issued by another country, there is debate as to whether Fallon’s case has gone through all of the required hearings for such a suspension.