Ken Gethin
1911 - 1989
1911 - 1989
Kenneth Alfred Gethin, born in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, was born on May 2, 1911, and - apprenticed to Stanley Wootton at Epsom -gained his first big win on Blue Vision in the 1931 Northumberland Plate (whilst riding for Ivor Anthony's stable). He further emphasized his talent with a win on Venturer in the next year's Great Jubilee Handicap at Kempton.
Kenneth Alfred Gethin, born in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, was born on May 2, 1911, and - apprenticed to Stanley Wootton at Epsom -gained his first big win on Blue Vision in the 1931 Northumberland Plate (whilst riding for Ivor Anthony's stable). He further emphasized his talent with a win on Venturer in the next year's Great Jubilee Handicap at Kempton.
After the war, Gethin rode Petition to victory in the Eclipse Stakes and Victoria Cup, both in 1948.
After the war, Gethin rode Petition to victory in the Eclipse Stakes and Victoria Cup, both in 1948.
He had his best run of winners in the latter part of his career.
He had his best run of winners in the latter part of his career.
His sole classic win came aboard Zabara in the 1952 One Thousand Guineas.
His sole classic win came aboard Zabara in the 1952 One Thousand Guineas.
In the same year, he won the Cambridgeshire on Richer, trained by Staff Ingham for whom he also won the 1953 Cesarewitch on the heavily-backed Chantry.
In the same year, he won the Cambridgeshire on Richer, trained by Staff Ingham for whom he also won the 1953 Cesarewitch on the heavily-backed Chantry.
Other notable wins included the 1953 Dewhurst Stakes (Infatuation) and the 1953 Victoria Cup (Orgoglio).
Other notable wins included the 1953 Dewhurst Stakes (Infatuation) and the 1953 Victoria Cup (Orgoglio).
His best season, numerically, came in 1947 with 81 winners.
His best season, numerically, came in 1947 with 81 winners.
He married 'Boo', the daughter of Epsom trainer Peter Thrale and retired from the saddle in 1960.
He married 'Boo', the daughter of Epsom trainer Peter Thrale and retired from the saddle in 1960.
His last big race success was on Operatic Society in the Manchester November Handicap of 1959.
His last big race success was on Operatic Society in the Manchester November Handicap of 1959.
He then took up training, with moderate success.
He then took up training, with moderate success.
Ken broke his back while serving with the Army during World War Two. He was knocked down by a service lorry and was so seriously injured that he was advised that he may not be able to ride again. However, a brilliant bone-grafting operation proved completely successful.
Ken broke his back while serving with the Army during World War Two. He was knocked down by a service lorry and was so seriously injured that he was advised that he may not be able to ride again. However, a brilliant bone-grafting operation proved completely successful.
Ken died at Ashstead Hospital on Saturday, 7 October, 1989. He was 78.
Ken died at Ashstead Hospital on Saturday, 7 October, 1989. He was 78.
His funeral took place on Thursday, 12 October, 1989, at Randall's Park Crematorium, Leatherhead, at 2.30 pm.
His funeral took place on Thursday, 12 October, 1989, at Randall's Park Crematorium, Leatherhead, at 2.30 pm.
Ken's son, Peter, became a racing driver and, 1971, won the Italian Grand Prix at the then fastest-ever average speed of 151.634 mph.
Ken's son, Peter, became a racing driver and, 1971, won the Italian Grand Prix at the then fastest-ever average speed of 151.634 mph.
Classic winner
Classic winner
One Thousand Guineas: Zabara (1952)
One Thousand Guineas: Zabara (1952)
Other big winners
Other big winners
1931: Northumberland Plate – Blue Vision
1931: Northumberland Plate – Blue Vision
1932: Great Jubilee Handicap - Venturer
1932: Great Jubilee Handicap - Venturer
1937: Manchester Cup – Petit Blue
1937: Manchester Cup – Petit Blue
1947: Dee Stakes – Maray
1947: Dee Stakes – Maray
1947: City of Birmingham Cup – Early Harvest
1947: City of Birmingham Cup – Early Harvest
1947: Chesterfield Cup – Avignon
1947: Chesterfield Cup – Avignon
1947: Princess Royal Stakes – Mombasa
1947: Princess Royal Stakes – Mombasa
1948: Victoria Cup – Petition
1948: Victoria Cup – Petition
1948: Great Jubilee Handicap – Royal Tara
1948: Great Jubilee Handicap – Royal Tara
1948: Eclipse Stakes – Petition
1948: Eclipse Stakes – Petition
1948: Chesterfield Cup – Royal Tara
1948: Chesterfield Cup – Royal Tara
1949: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Master Gunner
1949: New (Norfolk) Stakes – Master Gunner
1950: Midlands Cambridgeshire – Valdeso
1950: Midlands Cambridgeshire – Valdeso
1951: Royal Lodge Stakes – Khor-Mousa
1951: Royal Lodge Stakes – Khor-Mousa
1952: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Zabara
1952: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Zabara
1952: Coronation Stakes – Zabara
1952: Coronation Stakes – Zabara
1952: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Richer
1952: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Richer
1953: Victoria Cup – Orgoglio
1953: Victoria Cup – Orgoglio
1953: Zetland Gold Cup – H.V.C.
1953: Zetland Gold Cup – H.V.C.
1953: Cesarewitch Handicap – Chantry
1953: Cesarewitch Handicap – Chantry
1953: Dewhurst Stakes – Infatuation
1953: Dewhurst Stakes – Infatuation
1954: Thirsk Classic Trial – Umberto
1954: Thirsk Classic Trial – Umberto
1954: Dee Stakes – Cloonroughan
1954: Dee Stakes – Cloonroughan
1954: Eclipse Stakes – King of the Tudors
1954: Eclipse Stakes – King of the Tudors
1954: Yorkshire Oaks – Feevagh
1954: Yorkshire Oaks – Feevagh
1956: Victoria Cup – Coronation Year
1956: Victoria Cup – Coronation Year
1956: Ormonde Stakes – Stephanotis
1956: Ormonde Stakes – Stephanotis
1957: Lowther Stakes – Liberal Lady
1957: Lowther Stakes – Liberal Lady
1959: Manchester November Handicap – Operatic Society
1959: Manchester November Handicap – Operatic Society
In India
In India
1952: Indian Derby – Martial Law
1952: Indian Derby – Martial Law
I am advised by Jockepedia reader Giri Gopal that the Indian Derby won by Ken in 1952 was run at Bombay, not Calcutta.
I am advised by Jockepedia reader Giri Gopal that the Indian Derby won by Ken in 1952 was run at Bombay, not Calcutta.
My sincere thanks to Giri.
My sincere thanks to Giri.