Tom Heeney

Tom Heeney

Article by Alan Trout

Thomas Jeffrey Heeney, known as Tom, rode two winners over jumps in England in 1982 before going on to enjoy success in West Germany.

Born on October 30, 1958, his first ride was on the Danish-bred Alliax out of a Swedish mare, trained by Geoff Fletcher at Newmarket, in the Charnwood Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Nottingham on March 20, 1979. The four-year-old was in touch when falling two flights from home. 

Tom had to wait nearly three years for a first success on a horse named Trev’s Way, and it certainly came the hard way. At Newcastle on February 20, 1982 there was a dramatic start to the Bream Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) when Trev’s Way’s saddle slipped and Tom lost his irons. However, the four-year-old led throughout and came home eight lengths clear. 

He deservedly kept the ride after that success and followed up seven days later at Doncaster with a second victory in the Daily Mirror Conditional Jockeys’ Championship, a novice hurdle. This time they took the lead two out and won by 12 lengths. Next time out they finished second in a more valuable race at Newbury but were disqualified and placed third after edging left on the run-in and causing interference. 

It looked as if Tom had secured his third win at Warwick on May 22 when Talkabout finished first in the Grunwick ‘Bumper’ N.H. Flat Race, but they were disqualified and the race awarded to Straight Down. 

Tom persevered but without further success, having a final ride in the Sheldon Handicap Chase at Taunton on May 16, 1986, when Bold Dealer was lying in fourth place when falling three out. Hence his British race-riding career started and ended with a fall.

He subsequently left England to ply his trade in West Germany, where he was crowned champion jump jockey in 1990 with 26 wins from 112 rides. Runner-up was Peter Gehm with 20 wins.