David Parnell
1965 - 1990
1965 - 1990
David Farnham Parnell, aged 24, was one of the most promising jockeys in Ireland when, on April 9, 1990, his car overturned as he was on his way to ride work at Kevin Prendergast's stable. He was dead on arrival at Naas Hospital.
David Farnham Parnell, aged 24, was one of the most promising jockeys in Ireland when, on April 9, 1990, his car overturned as he was on his way to ride work at Kevin Prendergast's stable. He was dead on arrival at Naas Hospital.
The accident was discovered by Prendergast's assistant trainer, Jeremy Harley. He went out looking for David - usually a good timekeeper - when he failed to turn up for work and found the overturned car less than a mile from Prendergast's yard at Friarstown.
The accident was discovered by Prendergast's assistant trainer, Jeremy Harley. He went out looking for David - usually a good timekeeper - when he failed to turn up for work and found the overturned car less than a mile from Prendergast's yard at Friarstown.
Kevin said: 'I am shocked and dismayed to hear the news. We are all devastated. It is a real loss to the stable, his family and Irish racing.'
Kevin said: 'I am shocked and dismayed to hear the news. We are all devastated. It is a real loss to the stable, his family and Irish racing.'
A former understudy to Michael Kinane at Dermot Weld's yard, David had just started his third season with Kevin Prendergast.
A former understudy to Michael Kinane at Dermot Weld's yard, David had just started his third season with Kevin Prendergast.
He had finished fourth in the jockeys' table with 47 winners in the previous season and had come to within a whisker of classic success on Tyrone Bridge, beaten a short head by Petite Ile in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh.
He had finished fourth in the jockeys' table with 47 winners in the previous season and had come to within a whisker of classic success on Tyrone Bridge, beaten a short head by Petite Ile in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh.
David, who lived at 202, The Oaks, Newbridge, near the scene of the accident, was brought up in Kildare. A single man, he was the son of the leading former jockey, Buster Parnell, who was in Kenya at the time of the accident. David's mother, Anna, booked many of his rides.
David, who lived at 202, The Oaks, Newbridge, near the scene of the accident, was brought up in Kildare. A single man, he was the son of the leading former jockey, Buster Parnell, who was in Kenya at the time of the accident. David's mother, Anna, booked many of his rides.
David, born on 28 June 1965, had ridden his first winner on September 3, 1980, when scoring on Razzo Forte at Tralee.
David, born on 28 June 1965, had ridden his first winner on September 3, 1980, when scoring on Razzo Forte at Tralee.
As an apprentice, he had served 18 months with Paddy Mullins & 18 months with Liam Browne.
As an apprentice, he had served 18 months with Paddy Mullins & 18 months with Liam Browne.
Away from the racecourse, David enjoyed shooting, golf and a game of snooker.
Away from the racecourse, David enjoyed shooting, golf and a game of snooker.
Australian Wayne Harris, 29, took over as stable jockey to Kevin Prendergast.
Australian Wayne Harris, 29, took over as stable jockey to Kevin Prendergast.