Seamus Kilkenny
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Seamus Kilkenny held a jump jockey’s licence from 1950/51 to 53/54 and again from 1959/60 to 67/68. During the latter period he rode for Malpas trainer Doug Francis, brother of former champion jockey and subsequently best-selling author Dick Francis.
Seamus Kilkenny held a jump jockey’s licence from 1950/51 to 53/54 and again from 1959/60 to 67/68. During the latter period he rode for Malpas trainer Doug Francis, brother of former champion jockey and subsequently best-selling author Dick Francis.
Seamus had to wait a long time for his first winner, for it was not until Whit Monday, June 3, 1963 that Principal Girl gave him that elusive victory in a Hereford novices’ hurdle.
Seamus had to wait a long time for his first winner, for it was not until Whit Monday, June 3, 1963 that Principal Girl gave him that elusive victory in a Hereford novices’ hurdle.
The following season he rode one winner from 49 rides, this being on Doug Francis-trained Popoff in the Checkley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday, March 30, 1964.
The following season he rode one winner from 49 rides, this being on Doug Francis-trained Popoff in the Checkley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on Easter Monday, March 30, 1964.
Uttoxeter was also the venue for his next winner, which came via a dead-heat on Shrimp’s Last, trained by Jim Mason at Little Budworth, Tarporley, on September 3, 1964. Gay Stuart, trained by Doug Francis, doubled Seamus’ score for the 1964/65 campaign by winning a Ludlow selling hurdle on April 29, 1965.
Uttoxeter was also the venue for his next winner, which came via a dead-heat on Shrimp’s Last, trained by Jim Mason at Little Budworth, Tarporley, on September 3, 1964. Gay Stuart, trained by Doug Francis, doubled Seamus’ score for the 1964/65 campaign by winning a Ludlow selling hurdle on April 29, 1965.
Gay Stuart provided Seamus with both his wins in 1965/66, the first coming in 28-runner hurdle for professional novice riders at Cheltenham no less, at odds of 33/1, on January 5, 1966. Gay Stuart and Seamus teamed up in humbler surroundings at the end of the season to land a Cartmel selling hurdle on Whit Monday, May 30, 1966.
Gay Stuart provided Seamus with both his wins in 1965/66, the first coming in 28-runner hurdle for professional novice riders at Cheltenham no less, at odds of 33/1, on January 5, 1966. Gay Stuart and Seamus teamed up in humbler surroundings at the end of the season to land a Cartmel selling hurdle on Whit Monday, May 30, 1966.
The 1966/67 season brought just one winner from 44 rides, aboard Border Coin in a novices’ hurdle at Uttoxeter on December 17, 1966.
The 1966/67 season brought just one winner from 44 rides, aboard Border Coin in a novices’ hurdle at Uttoxeter on December 17, 1966.
That was the last of a total of seven winners ridden by Seamus Kilkenny. His career came to an end the following season when unseated from the Tommy Shone-trained Bailey Bill at the first flight in division one of the Coronation Hurdle at Liverpool on March 29, 1968.
That was the last of a total of seven winners ridden by Seamus Kilkenny. His career came to an end the following season when unseated from the Tommy Shone-trained Bailey Bill at the first flight in division one of the Coronation Hurdle at Liverpool on March 29, 1968.