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Steve Kemble
Steve Kemble
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Having ridden at least 17 winners in Ireland, Steve Kemble ventured to England in the 1978/79 season and, during a relatively brief six-month stay, had four winners from over 40 rides, including the Midlands Grand National.
Having ridden at least 17 winners in Ireland, Steve Kemble ventured to England in the 1978/79 season and, during a relatively brief six-month stay, had four winners from over 40 rides, including the Midlands Grand National.
Born in 1954, his first win appears to have been on Fanfare Beauty, trained by Arthur Moore, in the Harrison Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon on July 20, 1976. He rode 16 more winners between October 1976 and January 1978, including a double at Limerick Junction, known today as Tipperary. His final one there came on De Lafield in the Liffey Handicap Hurdle at Naas on January 7, 1978.
Born in 1954, his first win appears to have been on Fanfare Beauty, trained by Arthur Moore, in the Harrison Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon on July 20, 1976. He rode 16 more winners between October 1976 and January 1978, including a double at Limerick Junction, known today as Tipperary. His final one there came on De Lafield in the Liffey Handicap Hurdle at Naas on January 7, 1978.
His first effort in England was disappointing, with Macturk trailing in last of six finishers in the Bucktail Opportunity Handicap Chase at Ascot on January 12, 1979. It was not until April 17 that he had a win, when Jimmy Miff, trained by Ian Wardle, was a comfortable winner of the Hednesford Opportunity Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter, scoring by 20 lengths.
His first effort in England was disappointing, with Macturk trailing in last of six finishers in the Bucktail Opportunity Handicap Chase at Ascot on January 12, 1979. It was not until April 17 that he had a win, when Jimmy Miff, trained by Ian Wardle, was a comfortable winner of the Hednesford Opportunity Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter, scoring by 20 lengths.
Eleven days later, Jimmy Miff and Steve returned to Uttoxeter for a much more valuable contest, the Midlands Grand National, but the result was the same, with Jimmy Miff taking the lead at the 24th fence and running on well to beat Burrator by five lengths. Run over four and a half miles, the Midlands National was Britain’s longest steeplechase, being some 24 yards further than the Grand National itself.
Eleven days later, Jimmy Miff and Steve returned to Uttoxeter for a much more valuable contest, the Midlands Grand National, but the result was the same, with Jimmy Miff taking the lead at the 24th fence and running on well to beat Burrator by five lengths. Run over four and a half miles, the Midlands National was Britain’s longest steeplechase, being some 24 yards further than the Grand National itself.
At Southwell on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7, Steve had a third victory, this time on Fixby Gold, also trained by Ian Wardle, in the May Day Holiday Handicap Chase. The pair then followed up at Stratford four days later in the Sheldon Bosley Memorial Trophy, a novices’ handicap chase, winning by two and a half lengths.
At Southwell on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7, Steve had a third victory, this time on Fixby Gold, also trained by Ian Wardle, in the May Day Holiday Handicap Chase. The pair then followed up at Stratford four days later in the Sheldon Bosley Memorial Trophy, a novices’ handicap chase, winning by two and a half lengths.
Steve had managed four wins in 24 days, including a Midlands Grand National, but there were no more. His final ride was in the final race of the season, the aptly named Last Chance Opportunity Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Market Rasen on June 2, 1979.
Steve had managed four wins in 24 days, including a Midlands Grand National, but there were no more. His final ride was in the final race of the season, the aptly named Last Chance Opportunity Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Market Rasen on June 2, 1979.
Steve Kemble's first winner: Fanfare Beauty, July 20, 1976
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