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1942 - 2022
1942 - 2022
West Country-based jump jockey Neil Kernick was born in a two-bedroomed cottage at 3, Chudleigh Road, Kingsteignton, on April 3, 1942, the son of journeyman National Hunt jockey/trainer Sid Kernick, who rode his first winner in 1932 and his last in 1955, combining riding with training after the war at Kingsteignton, near Newton Abbot.
West Country-based jump jockey Neil Kernick was born in a two-bedroomed cottage at 3, Chudleigh Road, Kingsteignton, on April 3, 1942, the son of journeyman National Hunt jockey/trainer Sid Kernick, who rode his first winner in 1932 and his last in 1955, combining riding with training after the war at Kingsteignton, near Newton Abbot.
Neil served his apprenticeship with Major Peter Cazalet and Arthur Freeman. He rode his first winner for Wymondham, Norfolk trainer Jack Bloom, aboard Scottish Black Mail in a selling hurdle at Fakenham on Whit Monday, May 22, 1961.
Neil served his apprenticeship with Major Peter Cazalet and Arthur Freeman. He rode his first winner for Wymondham, Norfolk trainer Jack Bloom, aboard Scottish Black Mail in a selling hurdle at Fakenham on Whit Monday, May 22, 1961.
He was an integral part of his father’s training business and most of his 89 winners as a jockey, accumulated between 1961 and 1981, were achieved on the West Country circuit.
He was an integral part of his father’s training business and most of his 89 winners as a jockey, accumulated between 1961 and 1981, were achieved on the West Country circuit.
Neil rode just 19 winners in his first 10 years as a jockey. Then Kingsbridge, Devon trainer David Barons engaged him as understudy to Bob Davies for the 1969/70 campaign and Neil rode more winners in that one season (24) than in all the previous years added together. They included his most important success on Solomon II in Wincanton’s Kingwell Hurdle on February 25, 1970, when he got the better of a close finish with Terry Biddlecombe on the odds-on favourite Coral Diver, prevailing by a head. The following month he won the Ansells Brewery Handicap Hurdle at Hereford on Kelanne.
Neil rode just 19 winners in his first 10 years as a jockey. Then Kingsbridge, Devon trainer David Barons engaged him as understudy to Bob Davies for the 1969/70 campaign and Neil rode more winners in that one season (24) than in all the previous years added together. They included his most important success on Solomon II in Wincanton’s Kingwell Hurdle on February 25, 1970, when he got the better of a close finish with Terry Biddlecombe on the odds-on favourite Coral Diver, prevailing by a head. The following month he won the Ansells Brewery Handicap Hurdle at Hereford on Kelanne.
However, his greatest day in the saddle came when riding a four-timer for Barons at Chepstow on Saturday, November 29, 1969. Neil won the last four races on the card: the Pintail Handicap Chase on Foxtor, the Grebe Handicap Hurdle on Irish Laurel, the Mallard Handicap Chase on Follower, and the Widgeon Handicap Hurdle on Solomon ll.
However, his greatest day in the saddle came when riding a four-timer for Barons at Chepstow on Saturday, November 29, 1969. Neil won the last four races on the card: the Pintail Handicap Chase on Foxtor, the Grebe Handicap Hurdle on Irish Laurel, the Mallard Handicap Chase on Follower, and the Widgeon Handicap Hurdle on Solomon ll.
Twelve months later, Neil won a Chepstow novice chase on subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Mac Vidi.
Twelve months later, Neil won a Chepstow novice chase on subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Mac Vidi.
Once his association with David Barons ended it was back to single-figure seasonal totals, with a best score of eight in 1973/74. His only Grand National mount, Richeleau, trained by his father, fell at the first fence in 1973.
Once his association with David Barons ended it was back to single-figure seasonal totals, with a best score of eight in 1973/74. His only Grand National mount, Richeleau, trained by his father, fell at the first fence in 1973.
On his father’s death in 1982, Neil relinquished his riding licence, took over the training licence, and sold the Kingsteignton yard to buy a property near Buckfastleigh.
On his father’s death in 1982, Neil relinquished his riding licence, took over the training licence, and sold the Kingsteignton yard to buy a property near Buckfastleigh.
However, winners proved hard to come by and the death of his principal owner, the arrival of the financial downturn and the subsequent soaring interest rates obliged him to hand in his licence in 1987.
However, winners proved hard to come by and the death of his principal owner, the arrival of the financial downturn and the subsequent soaring interest rates obliged him to hand in his licence in 1987.
Neil Kernick died in Mount Olivet Nursing Home in Paignton, Devon on February 25 2022. He was 79 and had been in poor health for many years.
Neil Kernick died in Mount Olivet Nursing Home in Paignton, Devon on February 25 2022. He was 79 and had been in poor health for many years.
Throughout his life he suffered from a severe stammer, so much so that in those less sensitive times Arthur Freeman, during a lengthy post-race debrief, once exhorted Neil to “spit it out, son, and I’ll read it – there’s only 30 minutes between races!”
Throughout his life he suffered from a severe stammer, so much so that in those less sensitive times Arthur Freeman, during a lengthy post-race debrief, once exhorted Neil to “spit it out, son, and I’ll read it – there’s only 30 minutes between races!”
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