Charles Kinsky
1858 - 1919
1858 - 1919
Karel (Charles) Kinsky, was born on 29 November 1858 in Vienna. His family were steeped in equine tradition and a servant, Roland Reynolds, the Kinsky's Master of the Horse, taught young Charles everything he knew.
Karel (Charles) Kinsky, was born on 29 November 1858 in Vienna. His family were steeped in equine tradition and a servant, Roland Reynolds, the Kinsky's Master of the Horse, taught young Charles everything he knew.
Charles grew up an ambitious young man; in 1881 he became the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to England, then set his sights on the Grand National.
Charles grew up an ambitious young man; in 1881 he became the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to England, then set his sights on the Grand National.
He bought the mare Zoedone for £800 and instructed her new trainer, W. H.P. Jenkins of Upton, that she was to be trained for the great race.
He bought the mare Zoedone for £800 and instructed her new trainer, W. H.P. Jenkins of Upton, that she was to be trained for the great race.
Came the day, came the rain, yet Zoedone, under Charles, seemingly perfectly happy on the heavy ground, romped home the ten length winner, despite knocking over the second last hurdle.
Came the day, came the rain, yet Zoedone, under Charles, seemingly perfectly happy on the heavy ground, romped home the ten length winner, despite knocking over the second last hurdle.
A great victory, but tragedy hovered nearby. When Bendigo won the Lincoln of 1885, bookmakers panicked. Bendigo had been extensively coupled with Zoedone in scores of Spring Doubles and an enormous amount of money stood to be taken out of the ring. Zoedone, literally, had to be stopped.
A great victory, but tragedy hovered nearby. When Bendigo won the Lincoln of 1885, bookmakers panicked. Bendigo had been extensively coupled with Zoedone in scores of Spring Doubles and an enormous amount of money stood to be taken out of the ring. Zoedone, literally, had to be stopped.
As Charles prepared to mount her in the paddock, blood appeared on his white jacket sleeve where, seconds earlier, the ill-fated animal had nuzzled him. Charles mounted nonetheless, wanting to give the many who had backed Zoedone a run for their money.
As Charles prepared to mount her in the paddock, blood appeared on his white jacket sleeve where, seconds earlier, the ill-fated animal had nuzzled him. Charles mounted nonetheless, wanting to give the many who had backed Zoedone a run for their money.
Horse and jockey moved onto the racecourse: listlessly the horse attempted to quicken before crashing heavily to the ground. Badly shaken, Charles remounted and, somewhat astonishingly, jumped off with the others.
Horse and jockey moved onto the racecourse: listlessly the horse attempted to quicken before crashing heavily to the ground. Badly shaken, Charles remounted and, somewhat astonishingly, jumped off with the others.
At the fence before Becher's, Zoedone fell a second time, and lay in a highly distressed state before dying.
At the fence before Becher's, Zoedone fell a second time, and lay in a highly distressed state before dying.
The doper was never caught.
The doper was never caught.
In recognition of his services to racing, Charles was made an Honorary Member of the Jockey Club.
In recognition of his services to racing, Charles was made an Honorary Member of the Jockey Club.
When the Great War broke out, Charles elected to serve on the Russian Front rather than fight the English.
When the Great War broke out, Charles elected to serve on the Russian Front rather than fight the English.
After the war, Colonel Charles Kinsky returned to his devastated homeland.
After the war, Colonel Charles Kinsky returned to his devastated homeland.
A broken man, he died there on December 10,1919, aged 61.
A broken man, he died there on December 10,1919, aged 61.
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