Henry Kavanagh

Henry Kavanagh
1943–2004

Twins Henry and Michael Kavanagh were born in County Wicklow, Ireland, on 1 August 1943. Both would go on to become National Hunt jockeys.

Although named Henry and Michael by their parents, the twins caused some confusion during their confirmation at the Catholic church in Dunlavin, County Wicklow, around the age of seven. At the time, it was customary for each child to adopt a second name. The boys mischievously decided to exchange names—Henry gave Michael’s, and Michael gave Henry’s—without their parents’ knowledge or involvement. What they thought would be amusing ended up causing lasting confusion and complications.

Michael Henry Kavanagh rode only a couple of winners in Britain, whereas Henry Michael Kavanagh enjoyed considerably more success. His racing career began in fairytale fashion when he won on his very first ride on the Flat—on the Paddy Sleator-trained Scottish Memories (better known as a hurdler/chaser)—in the October Handicap Stakes at the Curragh on 15 October 1960. He beat top jockeys Garnet Bougoure on Why Lie and Liam Ward on Another Flash.

After five years with Paddy Sleator, Henry joined trainer Joe Osborne before heading to England—an adventure also taken by twin brother Michael. In fact, it was Michael who struck first, riding his only British winner on John Wibberley’s selling hurdler Methane at Stratford on 4 June 1966. He would ride just one more winner here.

Henry wasn't far behind, scoring his first British success on the Peter Chisman-trained chaser Mi-Hi at Chepstow on 22 October 1966. He spent several seasons with Chisman, who was based at Alcester, near Stratford-upon-Avon. However, when the trainer relocated to Wetherby, Henry chose to remain in Warwickshire—a decision he later admitted was his “biggest mistake”. As a freelance jockey, he ended up riding “anything” that came along. Too many bad horses and too many falls took their toll.

There were some highlights. He won four times on the two-mile chaser Jamestown and landed the Torquay Hotels Association Challenge Bowl Chase at Newton Abbot aboard Patrick’s Choice in May 1970. But those good moments were overshadowed by long stretches of misfortune.

Trainer Frank Muggeridge gave Henry a lifeline when he put him up on Eastern Blueblood at Fontwell on 19 August 1971. This tearaway chaser was so difficult that no other jockey wanted the ride. Henry was simply told to “just get him round”. Though Eastern Blueblood had never successfully jumped a fence and the pair were brought down at the 12th, Henry remounted and somehow managed to finish second. From that moment, Henry became the horse’s regular rider, and they rattled off a four-timer on the southern circuit before autumn rains brought an end to their good run.

Their final victory came in a commanding 30-length success at Plumpton on 12 October 1971. But just two days later, Henry's riding career was all but over. Riding outsider Quixano in a novice chase at Cheltenham, he suffered a crashing fall at the second-last when the hard-pulling horse, exhausted, came down.

In those days, there were no mandatory recovery periods after falls. Henry discharged himself from hospital and returned to the saddle the following week. However, he had suffered brain damage and was, in his own words, "punch-drunk". A few more falls worsened the condition, and eventually, the Jockey Club withdrew his licence to ride.

Henry became seriously ill and spent two years in Guy’s Hospital, followed by another year of rehabilitation, during which his life hung in the balance. Slowly, he began to rebuild. By the late 1970s, he was back riding out for “everyone and anyone” in Lambourn before finding more regular work with Russley Park trainer Pam Bain and her neighbour, Rosemary Lomax.

In January 2004, Henry suffered a catastrophic accident when thrown from his mare while jumping at his stables in Llandrindod Wells, Mid Wales. The fall left him paralysed from the neck down. After 12 weeks at University Hospital, Cardiff, he made the heart-breaking decision to ask doctors to turn off his life support machine, knowing he would not recover.

Henry had one final wish. With permission granted, a large syringe was filled with Guinness and gently squeezed into his mouth. Moments later, after his ventilator was turned off, he passed away peacefully.

He was predeceased by five years his brother Michael, who died in May 2009.

Henry Kavanagh’s British winners were in chronological order:

1. Mi-Hi, Chepstow, October 22, 1966

2. Mi-Hi, Wetherby, November 5, 1966

3. Ahura Mazdah, Wetherby, March 11, 1967

4. Alby Hill, Ascot, February 9, 1968

5. Alby Hill, Taunton, April 20, 1968 

6. Court Fable, Towcester, April 22, 1968

7. Victory Game, Stratford, June 8, 1968

8. Airgead Sios, Taunton, November 9, 1968

9. Glasserton, Southwell, April 3, 1969

10. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, September 12, 1969 

11. Jamestown, Chepstow, October 11, 1969

12. Arctic Pool, Nottingham, November 17, 1969

13. Patrick’s Choice, Newton Abbot, May 27, 1970

14. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, August 14, 1970

15. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, September 11, 1970

16. Graig Hill Surprise, Chepstow, November 11, 1970

17. Graig Hill Surprise, Warwick, January 30, 1971

18. Richeleau, Taunton, May 21, 1971

19. Richeleau, Newton Abbot, May 26, 1971 

20. Eastern Blueblood, Plumpton, September 21, 1971

21. Richeleau, Cheltenham, September 23, 1971

22. Eastern Blueblood, Folkestone, September 27, 1971

23. Eastern Blueblood, Wye, October 4, 1971

24. Eastern Blueblood, Plumpton, October 12, 1971