Henry Kavanagh
Henry Kavanagh
Henry Kavanagh
1943-2004
1943-2004
To have twins is one thing. To give them virtually identical Christian names is asking for trouble. But that was the choice that the parents of twins Henry Michael Kavanagh and Michael Henry Kavanagh made when their sons were born in County Wicklow, Ireland on 1st August 1943. Even more confusingly, both went on to become National Hunt jockeys.
To have twins is one thing. To give them virtually identical Christian names is asking for trouble. But that was the choice that the parents of twins Henry Michael Kavanagh and Michael Henry Kavanagh made when their sons were born in County Wicklow, Ireland on 1st August 1943. Even more confusingly, both went on to become National Hunt jockeys.
Michael only rode a couple of winners in Britain, whereas Henry was more successful. In fact, he made a fairytale start to his racing career when winning on his first ever ride on the Flat on that fine Paddy Sleator-trained horse Scottish Memories, far better known as a hurdler/chaser, in the October Handicap Stakes at the Curragh on October 15, 1960, beating top jockeys Garnet Bougoure on Why Lie and Liam Ward on Another Flash.
Michael only rode a couple of winners in Britain, whereas Henry was more successful. In fact, he made a fairytale start to his racing career when winning on his first ever ride on the Flat on that fine Paddy Sleator-trained horse Scottish Memories, far better known as a hurdler/chaser, in the October Handicap Stakes at the Curragh on October 15, 1960, beating top jockeys Garnet Bougoure on Why Lie and Liam Ward on Another Flash.
After five years with Paddy Sleator, Henry spent time with trainer Joe Osborne before trying his luck in England, a trip also made by twin brother Michael. In fact it was Michael who struck first, achieving his first British winner on John Wibberley’s selling hurdler Methane at Stratford on June 4, 1966. But that would prove to be one of only two winners he rode here.
After five years with Paddy Sleator, Henry spent time with trainer Joe Osborne before trying his luck in England, a trip also made by twin brother Michael. In fact it was Michael who struck first, achieving his first British winner on John Wibberley’s selling hurdler Methane at Stratford on June 4, 1966. But that would prove to be one of only two winners he rode here.
Henry wasn’t all that far behind, opening his British account on the Peter Chisman-trained chaser Mi-Hi at Chepstow on October 22, 1966. He had several seasons with Chisman, who was based at Alcester, near Stratford-on-Avon but when the trainer moved north to Wetherby, Henry stayed put in Warwickshire, a move he later acknowledged was his “biggest mistake”. He went freelance and “ended up riding anything”. He partnered too many bad horses and had too many falls.
Henry wasn’t all that far behind, opening his British account on the Peter Chisman-trained chaser Mi-Hi at Chepstow on October 22, 1966. He had several seasons with Chisman, who was based at Alcester, near Stratford-on-Avon but when the trainer moved north to Wetherby, Henry stayed put in Warwickshire, a move he later acknowledged was his “biggest mistake”. He went freelance and “ended up riding anything”. He partnered too many bad horses and had too many falls.
There were some decent rides: he won four times on two-mile chaser Jamestown, and landed the Torquay Hotels Association Challenge Bowl Chase at Newton Abbot on Patrick’s Choice in May 1970, but the bad times far outweighed the good.
There were some decent rides: he won four times on two-mile chaser Jamestown, and landed the Torquay Hotels Association Challenge Bowl Chase at Newton Abbot on Patrick’s Choice in May 1970, but the bad times far outweighed the good.
Trainer Frank Muggeridge gave Henry a break when putting him up on the tearaway Eastern Blueblood at Fontwell on August 19, 1971. This was a lunatic horse that nobody wanted to ride. Henry’s instructions were to “just get him round”. Eastern Blueblood never jumped a fence but Henry sat tight and though they were brought down at the 12th fence he remounted to take second place. From then on, top-of-the-ground specialist Eastern Blueblood was Henry’s ride and they rattled off a four-timer on the southern circuit before the rains came.
Trainer Frank Muggeridge gave Henry a break when putting him up on the tearaway Eastern Blueblood at Fontwell on August 19, 1971. This was a lunatic horse that nobody wanted to ride. Henry’s instructions were to “just get him round”. Eastern Blueblood never jumped a fence but Henry sat tight and though they were brought down at the 12th fence he remounted to take second place. From then on, top-of-the-ground specialist Eastern Blueblood was Henry’s ride and they rattled off a four-timer on the southern circuit before the rains came.
The last of those victories was a 30-length demolition job at Plumpton on October 12, 1971, but 48 hours later Henry’s career was as good as over. He went to Cheltenham for one ride, outsider Quixano in the novice chase. The horse was a hard-puller and led the field a merry dance until giving Henry a crashing fall when out on his feet at the second last.
The last of those victories was a 30-length demolition job at Plumpton on October 12, 1971, but 48 hours later Henry’s career was as good as over. He went to Cheltenham for one ride, outsider Quixano in the novice chase. The horse was a hard-puller and led the field a merry dance until giving Henry a crashing fall when out on his feet at the second last.
Unlike today there were no ‘enforced holidays’ for falls such as that and Henry unwisely discharged himself from hospital and was back riding the following week. However, he had suffered brain damage and was punch drunk as a result. Two or three more falls accentuated the damage and eventually his licence to ride was withdrawn by the Jockey Club.
Unlike today there were no ‘enforced holidays’ for falls such as that and Henry unwisely discharged himself from hospital and was back riding the following week. However, he had suffered brain damage and was punch drunk as a result. Two or three more falls accentuated the damage and eventually his licence to ride was withdrawn by the Jockey Club.
Henry became seriously ill and spent two years in Guys Hospital. This was followed by another year’s rehabilitation with his life in the balance before he slowly but surely began to pick up the pieces.
Henry became seriously ill and spent two years in Guys Hospital. This was followed by another year’s rehabilitation with his life in the balance before he slowly but surely began to pick up the pieces.
By the late 1970s he was back riding out for pretty much “everyone and anyone” in Lambourn, before being offered a job riding out and schooling for Russley Park trainer Pam Bain and her neighbour Rosemary Lomax.
By the late 1970s he was back riding out for pretty much “everyone and anyone” in Lambourn, before being offered a job riding out and schooling for Russley Park trainer Pam Bain and her neighbour Rosemary Lomax.
In January 2004 Henry was left paralysed from the neck down after being thrown from his mare while jumping at his stables in Llandrindod Wells, Mid Wales. After 12 weeks at University Hospital, Cardiff, he knew there was no hope of recovering and asked the doctors to switch off his life support machine as he did not wish to be kept alive.
In January 2004 Henry was left paralysed from the neck down after being thrown from his mare while jumping at his stables in Llandrindod Wells, Mid Wales. After 12 weeks at University Hospital, Cardiff, he knew there was no hope of recovering and asked the doctors to switch off his life support machine as he did not wish to be kept alive.
Henry had one final wish on his death bed. When permission came for the life support to be switched off, he requested some Guinness. A large syringe was filled with the stout which was gently squeezed into his mouth. He died moments later after his ventilator was turned off. He predeceased by five years his brother Michael who passed away in May 2009.
Henry had one final wish on his death bed. When permission came for the life support to be switched off, he requested some Guinness. A large syringe was filled with the stout which was gently squeezed into his mouth. He died moments later after his ventilator was turned off. He predeceased by five years his brother Michael who passed away in May 2009.
Henry Kavanagh’s British winners were in chronological order:
Henry Kavanagh’s British winners were in chronological order:
1. Mi-Hi, Chepstow, October 22, 1966
1. Mi-Hi, Chepstow, October 22, 1966
2. Mi-Hi, Wetherby, November 5, 1966
2. Mi-Hi, Wetherby, November 5, 1966
3. Ahura Mazdah, Wetherby, March 11, 1967
3. Ahura Mazdah, Wetherby, March 11, 1967
4. Alby Hill, Ascot, February 9, 1968
4. Alby Hill, Ascot, February 9, 1968
5. Alby Hill, Taunton, April 20, 1968
5. Alby Hill, Taunton, April 20, 1968
6. Court Fable, Towcester, April 22, 1968
6. Court Fable, Towcester, April 22, 1968
7. Victory Game, Stratford, June 8, 1968
7. Victory Game, Stratford, June 8, 1968
8. Airgead Sios, Taunton, November 9, 1968
8. Airgead Sios, Taunton, November 9, 1968
9. Glasserton, Southwell, April 3, 1969
9. Glasserton, Southwell, April 3, 1969
10. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, September 12, 1969
10. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, September 12, 1969
11. Jamestown, Chepstow, October 11, 1969
11. Jamestown, Chepstow, October 11, 1969
12. Arctic Pool, Nottingham, November 17, 1969
12. Arctic Pool, Nottingham, November 17, 1969
13. Patrick’s Choice, Newton Abbot, May 27, 1970
13. Patrick’s Choice, Newton Abbot, May 27, 1970
14. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, August 14, 1970
14. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, August 14, 1970
15. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, September 11, 1970
15. Jamestown, Newton Abbot, September 11, 1970
16. Graig Hill Surprise, Chepstow, November 11, 1970
16. Graig Hill Surprise, Chepstow, November 11, 1970
17. Graig Hill Surprise, Warwick, January 30, 1971
17. Graig Hill Surprise, Warwick, January 30, 1971
18. Richeleau, Taunton, May 21, 1971
18. Richeleau, Taunton, May 21, 1971
19. Richeleau, Newton Abbot, May 26, 1971
19. Richeleau, Newton Abbot, May 26, 1971
20. Eastern Blueblood, Plumpton, September 21, 1971
20. Eastern Blueblood, Plumpton, September 21, 1971
21. Richeleau, Cheltenham, September 23, 1971
21. Richeleau, Cheltenham, September 23, 1971
22. Eastern Blueblood, Folkestone, September 27, 1971
22. Eastern Blueblood, Folkestone, September 27, 1971
23. Eastern Blueblood, Wye, October 4, 1971
23. Eastern Blueblood, Wye, October 4, 1971
24. Eastern Blueblood, Plumpton, October 12, 1971
24. Eastern Blueblood, Plumpton, October 12, 1971