Joe Kay
Born circa 1886, Joseph Kay was a successful National Hunt jockey during the first quarter of the 20th century when riding as stable jockey for Coxhoe, Co Durham trainer George Menzies. He rode a total of 108 winners during a career that was compromised by World War One.
Born circa 1886, Joseph Kay was a successful National Hunt jockey during the first quarter of the 20th century when riding as stable jockey for Coxhoe, Co Durham trainer George Menzies. He rode a total of 108 winners during a career that was compromised by World War One.
Joe had his first ride in public at Haydock Park on December 12 1908, trailing home last of eight finishers on a horse named Auchincruive in the Newton Handicap Hurdle. He rode his first winner on 5-1 chance Gotherley in the Fishburn Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on March 31, 1909, scoring by two lengths.
Joe had his first ride in public at Haydock Park on December 12 1908, trailing home last of eight finishers on a horse named Auchincruive in the Newton Handicap Hurdle. He rode his first winner on 5-1 chance Gotherley in the Fishburn Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on March 31, 1909, scoring by two lengths.
Joe enjoyed his best year in 1911 with 24 victories. They included five wins at the two-day Perth fixture on 5th and 6th October, all for George Menzies. He rode a double on the first day on Norton in the Tay Selling Hurdle and Bay Fox in the St Johnstone Selling Chase. He followed that with a treble on day two aboard Freckles in the Scone Maiden Hurdle and repeat wins from Norton in the Glenearn Selling Handicap Hurdle and Bay Fox in the Stewards’ Selling Handicap Chase.
Joe enjoyed his best year in 1911 with 24 victories. They included five wins at the two-day Perth fixture on 5th and 6th October, all for George Menzies. He rode a double on the first day on Norton in the Tay Selling Hurdle and Bay Fox in the St Johnstone Selling Chase. He followed that with a treble on day two aboard Freckles in the Scone Maiden Hurdle and repeat wins from Norton in the Glenearn Selling Handicap Hurdle and Bay Fox in the Stewards’ Selling Handicap Chase.
Joe rode another treble on the opening day of the corresponding Perth meeting on September 26, 1912, again all for George Menzies. He began by winning an eventful Crannock Handicap Chase on Legalite, a race in which all three runners fell at some point, two of them being remounted to complete the course. He then repeated the previous year’s success on Norton in the Tay Selling Hurdle, and finished by winning the St Johnstone Selling Chase again, this time on Uncle Bobbie.
Joe rode another treble on the opening day of the corresponding Perth meeting on September 26, 1912, again all for George Menzies. He began by winning an eventful Crannock Handicap Chase on Legalite, a race in which all three runners fell at some point, two of them being remounted to complete the course. He then repeated the previous year’s success on Norton in the Tay Selling Hurdle, and finished by winning the St Johnstone Selling Chase again, this time on Uncle Bobbie.
He had his sole Grand National mount in 1912, falling on 66-1 outsider Sans Peur. He also rode him in that year’s Scottish Grand National at Bogside, where he finished fourth, albeit the last of the quartet to get round.
He had his sole Grand National mount in 1912, falling on 66-1 outsider Sans Peur. He also rode him in that year’s Scottish Grand National at Bogside, where he finished fourth, albeit the last of the quartet to get round.
Joe was a hard man to beat on the northern circuit in his day, riding a total of 26 winners at Hexham and 19 at Sedgefield during his career. He never won a race of any great note, coming closest when finishing second in the 1913 Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham on Legalite.
Joe was a hard man to beat on the northern circuit in his day, riding a total of 26 winners at Hexham and 19 at Sedgefield during his career. He never won a race of any great note, coming closest when finishing second in the 1913 Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham on Legalite.
He rode his last winner at a rare Cartmel autumn fixture held on September 25, 1926. (Normally in those days, Cartmel held just an annual meeting on Whit Monday). Joe won the Cavendish Three-Year-Old Hurdle on Rock Warbler.
He rode his last winner at a rare Cartmel autumn fixture held on September 25, 1926. (Normally in those days, Cartmel held just an annual meeting on Whit Monday). Joe won the Cavendish Three-Year-Old Hurdle on Rock Warbler.
He retired from riding in March 1930 but made a surprise – and brief – comeback in February 1941. He had his final ride at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting on March 20, 1941, finishing unplaced on Knight Of The Hills in the National Hunt Moderate Chase.
He retired from riding in March 1930 but made a surprise – and brief – comeback in February 1941. He had his final ride at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting on March 20, 1941, finishing unplaced on Knight Of The Hills in the National Hunt Moderate Chase.
Joe Kay died in Richmond, Yorkshire.
Joe Kay died in Richmond, Yorkshire.