Neil Kennedy
Article by Mary and Chris Pitt
Article by Mary and Chris Pitt
Question: Which British jockey was named after an astronaut? Answer: Neil Armstrong Kennedy.
Question: Which British jockey was named after an astronaut? Answer: Neil Armstrong Kennedy.
Born on July 17, 1969, as the three American astronauts were heading for a landing on the moon, Neil was given a very patriotic name for a bloke from Liverpool.
Born on July 17, 1969, as the three American astronauts were heading for a landing on the moon, Neil was given a very patriotic name for a bloke from Liverpool.
He did not hail from a racing family. The idea just popped into his head one day through pure coincidence. He was watching TV when the racing happened to come on and he said to himself “I’d love to be a jockey”.
He did not hail from a racing family. The idea just popped into his head one day through pure coincidence. He was watching TV when the racing happened to come on and he said to himself “I’d love to be a jockey”.
He was certainly the right build and weight. Aged 15, he stood four-foot high and weighed three stone eleven pounds.
He was certainly the right build and weight. Aged 15, he stood four-foot high and weighed three stone eleven pounds.
Encouraged by his mum and dad, he wrote off to all the trainers in Newmarket and other major training centres. He even wrote to Lester Piggott, who was by then training at Eve Lodge. Lester replied saying that Neil was too light and to try again the following year.
Encouraged by his mum and dad, he wrote off to all the trainers in Newmarket and other major training centres. He even wrote to Lester Piggott, who was by then training at Eve Lodge. Lester replied saying that Neil was too light and to try again the following year.
Just before leaving school he had six weeks’ work experience with Ginger McCain. The first horse he ever sat on was none other than Red Rum, who by then was older than the lad on his back.
Just before leaving school he had six weeks’ work experience with Ginger McCain. The first horse he ever sat on was none other than Red Rum, who by then was older than the lad on his back.
He then wrote to Lord Derby, who lived just outside Liverpool, only some three or four miles from Neil’s house. Lord Derby replied saying that he would help as much as he possibly could.
He then wrote to Lord Derby, who lived just outside Liverpool, only some three or four miles from Neil’s house. Lord Derby replied saying that he would help as much as he possibly could.
Soon afterwards, he received a letter from Newmarket trainer Gavin Pritchard-Gordon, inviting him to meet at Chester racecourse for an interview with his assistant trainer, former lightweight jockey Micky Greening. The interview went well, he got the job and joined Pritchard-Gordon’s stable two weeks’ later. After a couple of weeks there he was sent to the British Racing School where another former jockey, Brian Connorton, was in charge and was a great help to the fledgling apprentice.
Soon afterwards, he received a letter from Newmarket trainer Gavin Pritchard-Gordon, inviting him to meet at Chester racecourse for an interview with his assistant trainer, former lightweight jockey Micky Greening. The interview went well, he got the job and joined Pritchard-Gordon’s stable two weeks’ later. After a couple of weeks there he was sent to the British Racing School where another former jockey, Brian Connorton, was in charge and was a great help to the fledgling apprentice.
Neil spent three years with Pritchard-Gordon, who legged him up on his first winner, Henrietta Place, (right) on only his second ride, at Brighton on September 16, 1987. He weighed just five stone two, the filly had eight stone seven, meaning she carried three stone five of dead weight. He later described his feelings on riding that first winner: “Flabbergasted. After the line, your throat, your mouth, they just go dry. You can’t speak.”
Neil spent three years with Pritchard-Gordon, who legged him up on his first winner, Henrietta Place, (right) on only his second ride, at Brighton on September 16, 1987. He weighed just five stone two, the filly had eight stone seven, meaning she carried three stone five of dead weight. He later described his feelings on riding that first winner: “Flabbergasted. After the line, your throat, your mouth, they just go dry. You can’t speak.”
Neil subsequently had three years with George Moore at Middleham and then went to Francis Lee, the former Manchester City and England football star. Neil recalled that Lee was like a father to him. “He pushed me to the limit and I respected him for that, even though he found scousers irresistible to take the mickey out of.”
Neil subsequently had three years with George Moore at Middleham and then went to Francis Lee, the former Manchester City and England football star. Neil recalled that Lee was like a father to him. “He pushed me to the limit and I respected him for that, even though he found scousers irresistible to take the mickey out of.”
At around the same time, Neil won the British Racing Schools apprentice championship, between apprentices at the Northern
At around the same time, Neil won the British Racing Schools apprentice championship, between apprentices at the Northern
Racing School and the school in Newmarket, a seven-race event held at different racecourses. His prize was a three-month working holiday in New Zealand with champion trainer Dave O’Sullivan. He also rode a few winners for him.
Racing School and the school in Newmarket, a seven-race event held at different racecourses. His prize was a three-month working holiday in New Zealand with champion trainer Dave O’Sullivan. He also rode a few winners for him.
Back on home soil, he achieved his biggest success at Glorious Goodwood on July 29, 1993, when winning the valuable Schweppes Golden Mile Handicap aboard Jeff Smith’s colt Philidor (left), trained by James Eustace.
Back on home soil, he achieved his biggest success at Glorious Goodwood on July 29, 1993, when winning the valuable Schweppes Golden Mile Handicap aboard Jeff Smith’s colt Philidor (left), trained by James Eustace.
After two years with Francis Lee, Neil was approaching the age when he was going to lose his claim, a crucial time for any young rider. He decided to venture further north and base himself at Malton, as 85 per cent of the rides he was getting were at the northern tracks.
After two years with Francis Lee, Neil was approaching the age when he was going to lose his claim, a crucial time for any young rider. He decided to venture further north and base himself at Malton, as 85 per cent of the rides he was getting were at the northern tracks.
For over ten years Neil was first jockey for Isle of Man-based owner Chris Barber-Lomax, who had horses in training with James Hetherton at Malton, Chris Fairhurst at Middleham and Lynda Perratt at Ayr. Among his string in Perratt’s yard was Manful, on whom Neil won nine times between 1994 and 1999.
For over ten years Neil was first jockey for Isle of Man-based owner Chris Barber-Lomax, who had horses in training with James Hetherton at Malton, Chris Fairhurst at Middleham and Lynda Perratt at Ayr. Among his string in Perratt’s yard was Manful, on whom Neil won nine times between 1994 and 1999.
However, like many jockeys, he struggled without the benefit of a claim. Life on the all-weather for a lightweight jockey was hard, especially as, with the small fields, a lot of the lower-weighted horses would get balloted out. Going to Lingfield for one ride that was out of the handicap and had no chance was no fun. He was giving the horse 100 per cent and still finishing last. It didn’t pay.
However, like many jockeys, he struggled without the benefit of a claim. Life on the all-weather for a lightweight jockey was hard, especially as, with the small fields, a lot of the lower-weighted horses would get balloted out. Going to Lingfield for one ride that was out of the handicap and had no chance was no fun. He was giving the horse 100 per cent and still finishing last. It didn’t pay.
Acting on the advice of fellow jockey and good friend Gary Hind, Neil wrote to Godolphin, sending them his CV, and was duly invited to join the organisation. Starting in 1997 he spent the winters in Dubai, staying there for five months at a time.
Acting on the advice of fellow jockey and good friend Gary Hind, Neil wrote to Godolphin, sending them his CV, and was duly invited to join the organisation. Starting in 1997 he spent the winters in Dubai, staying there for five months at a time.
It wasn’t just about riding winners. He was galloping some of the best horses in the world, among them Daylami, and riding in trials with Frankie Dettori, Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens.
It wasn’t just about riding winners. He was galloping some of the best horses in the world, among them Daylami, and riding in trials with Frankie Dettori, Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens.
The loyal lightweight freely admitted he was hungry for more winners in Britain. In fact, Neil Armstrong Kennedy reckoned he was ready for lift-off. A couple of good horses, he reflected, would put him, well … over the moon.
The loyal lightweight freely admitted he was hungry for more winners in Britain. In fact, Neil Armstrong Kennedy reckoned he was ready for lift-off. A couple of good horses, he reflected, would put him, well … over the moon.
Sadly, his tally of British winners gradually dwindled. Having averaged between 10 and 20 during the 1990s, his tally fell to just five in 2000 as the new millennium failed to herald a change in fortune.
Sadly, his tally of British winners gradually dwindled. Having averaged between 10 and 20 during the 1990s, his tally fell to just five in 2000 as the new millennium failed to herald a change in fortune.
This article is based on a feature by Mary Pitt, published in Raceform Update on September 18, 1999.
This article is based on a feature by Mary Pitt, published in Raceform Update on September 18, 1999.