Phil Kinsella
National Hunt jockey Phil Kinsella was born on December 1, 1982, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire. His parents owned and ran the town’s Bluebell Inn pub. Phil went to school in Stokesley and, on leaving, joined Keith Reveley’s stable as a conditional jockey in February 2005.
National Hunt jockey Phil Kinsella was born on December 1, 1982, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire. His parents owned and ran the town’s Bluebell Inn pub. Phil went to school in Stokesley and, on leaving, joined Keith Reveley’s stable as a conditional jockey in February 2005.
He went on to ride 126 winners during a career punctuated by some bad falls, one of which led to his eventual retirement. The highs included winning the 2007 Grand Sefton Chase over the Grand National fences on Jim Goldie’s unheralded 66-1 shot Lampion Du Bost. In 2008 he won the Grade 2 Prestige Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock on Tazbar, trained by James Moffatt, and the Perth Gold Cup on Malcolm Jefferson’s Brooklyn Brownie.
He went on to ride 126 winners during a career punctuated by some bad falls, one of which led to his eventual retirement. The highs included winning the 2007 Grand Sefton Chase over the Grand National fences on Jim Goldie’s unheralded 66-1 shot Lampion Du Bost. In 2008 he won the Grade 2 Prestige Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock on Tazbar, trained by James Moffatt, and the Perth Gold Cup on Malcolm Jefferson’s Brooklyn Brownie.
In November 2008, he had a fall at Haydock, but although uncomfortable, rode a winner the next day at Hexham for his boss, Malcolm Jefferson, on According To Pete, following up a win there the previous month. However, the following day he had a problem pulling up at Sandown so he went to see his doctor. A scan revealed he had a fractured right shoulder and a torn tendon.
In November 2008, he had a fall at Haydock, but although uncomfortable, rode a winner the next day at Hexham for his boss, Malcolm Jefferson, on According To Pete, following up a win there the previous month. However, the following day he had a problem pulling up at Sandown so he went to see his doctor. A scan revealed he had a fractured right shoulder and a torn tendon.
Cape Tribulation provided Phil with his first winner back when obliging in the Grade 2 River Don Hurdle at Doncaster on January 24, 2009, thereby putting himself in contention for a tilt at the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Phil rode him in that race, finishing fifth behind Weapon’s Amnesty.
Cape Tribulation provided Phil with his first winner back when obliging in the Grade 2 River Don Hurdle at Doncaster on January 24, 2009, thereby putting himself in contention for a tilt at the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Phil rode him in that race, finishing fifth behind Weapon’s Amnesty.
The following month, Phil rode Brooklyn Brownie in the 2009 Grand National. He went off a fancied 22-1 shot, only to fall at the second fence. However, they had better luck when back in the more familiar surroundings of Perth, winning the 2010 Festival Chase for the Kilmany Cup.
The following month, Phil rode Brooklyn Brownie in the 2009 Grand National. He went off a fancied 22-1 shot, only to fall at the second fence. However, they had better luck when back in the more familiar surroundings of Perth, winning the 2010 Festival Chase for the Kilmany Cup.
In April 2010 Phil fractured his neck in a fall at Kelso but actually rode in 12 races after that before it was identified. He then didn’t ride from May until the end of January 2011. He was soon back in his stride with two winners, Chris Grant’s chaser Star Player at Newcastle on February 2, and Chris Fairhurst’s 50-1 shot Lady Anne Neville in a handicap hurdle at Wetherby three days later.
In April 2010 Phil fractured his neck in a fall at Kelso but actually rode in 12 races after that before it was identified. He then didn’t ride from May until the end of January 2011. He was soon back in his stride with two winners, Chris Grant’s chaser Star Player at Newcastle on February 2, and Chris Fairhurst’s 50-1 shot Lady Anne Neville in a handicap hurdle at Wetherby three days later.
However, less than a fortnight after returning, Phil was in the wars again after suffering a double skull fracture in a fall at Market Rasen on February 8. He was tracking the leader aboard Brink in the juvenile hurdle when his mount was hampered by the Daryl Jacob-ridden Sir Pitt who jinked at the first flight and catapulted his rider over his shoulder. Brink had nowhere to go and decanted Phil on the turf, where he was kicked in the head by another horse.
However, less than a fortnight after returning, Phil was in the wars again after suffering a double skull fracture in a fall at Market Rasen on February 8. He was tracking the leader aboard Brink in the juvenile hurdle when his mount was hampered by the Daryl Jacob-ridden Sir Pitt who jinked at the first flight and catapulted his rider over his shoulder. Brink had nowhere to go and decanted Phil on the turf, where he was kicked in the head by another horse.
Ironically, the injury came just days before the start of the Stobart Group’s sponsorship of the Professional Jockeys Association, which included reviving an insurance scheme offering compensation for riders whose careers were ended by injury. This meant he missed out on a £100,000 payment.
Ironically, the injury came just days before the start of the Stobart Group’s sponsorship of the Professional Jockeys Association, which included reviving an insurance scheme offering compensation for riders whose careers were ended by injury. This meant he missed out on a £100,000 payment.
To compound his problems, Phil lost the hearing in his left ear. The fracture in his ear traumatised a nerve, which caused double vision in his left eye and affected the left side of his mouth.
To compound his problems, Phil lost the hearing in his left ear. The fracture in his ear traumatised a nerve, which caused double vision in his left eye and affected the left side of his mouth.
Having been forced to retire, Phil undertook a business management course at the University of Teesside and achieved a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Business Management degree. He also qualified as a UKCC Level 3 qualified jockey coach.
Having been forced to retire, Phil undertook a business management course at the University of Teesside and achieved a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Business Management degree. He also qualified as a UKCC Level 3 qualified jockey coach.
In October 2015 he was appointed to the new role of Personal Development Manager (PDM) at JETS, the Jockeys’ Employment Training Scheme. Based in Maltby, Stockton-on-Tees, he helps develop and implement a personal development and lifestyle programme offering support, advice and guidance throughout all stages of a jockey’s career, enabling them to achieve their maximum potential.
In October 2015 he was appointed to the new role of Personal Development Manager (PDM) at JETS, the Jockeys’ Employment Training Scheme. Based in Maltby, Stockton-on-Tees, he helps develop and implement a personal development and lifestyle programme offering support, advice and guidance throughout all stages of a jockey’s career, enabling them to achieve their maximum potential.