Susan Kersey
National Hunt jockey Susan Kersey was the daughter of former trainer Trevor Kersey, a colourful character who trained at Bleak House Stables, West Melton, near Rotherham. Susan rode as his stable jockey for several seasons.
National Hunt jockey Susan Kersey was the daughter of former trainer Trevor Kersey, a colourful character who trained at Bleak House Stables, West Melton, near Rotherham. Susan rode as his stable jockey for several seasons.
She achieved her first win on Fandango Kiss in a conditional jockeys’ selling handicap hurdle at Market Rasen on August 7, 1987. However, it was not achieved in the conventional way of being first past the post. Fandango Kiss finished second, 12 lengths behind Gan On Lad. However, the winner was subsequently disqualified as he had not been qualified to start.
She achieved her first win on Fandango Kiss in a conditional jockeys’ selling handicap hurdle at Market Rasen on August 7, 1987. However, it was not achieved in the conventional way of being first past the post. Fandango Kiss finished second, 12 lengths behind Gan On Lad. However, the winner was subsequently disqualified as he had not been qualified to start.
The Kersey-trained horses always seemed to outrun their odds at Cheltenham. Ridden throughout by Susan, Mandalay Prince finished third at 50/1 in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham’s New Year meeting in 1989, then ran a stormer to finish sixth (at 500/1) in the Sun Alliance (now the Ballymore) Hurdle at that year’s Cheltenham Festival. The following month they came second, beaten just half a length, in the George Duller Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham’s April fixture.
The Kersey-trained horses always seemed to outrun their odds at Cheltenham. Ridden throughout by Susan, Mandalay Prince finished third at 50/1 in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham’s New Year meeting in 1989, then ran a stormer to finish sixth (at 500/1) in the Sun Alliance (now the Ballymore) Hurdle at that year’s Cheltenham Festival. The following month they came second, beaten just half a length, in the George Duller Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham’s April fixture.
Susan rode Domarc to victory in the BBC-televised A.S.W. Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 2, 1989, finishing fast to collar Celtic Bob and Ryde Again close home. The following season, she finished fifth on Domarc in the Spa Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Eve 1990.
Susan rode Domarc to victory in the BBC-televised A.S.W. Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 2, 1989, finishing fast to collar Celtic Bob and Ryde Again close home. The following season, she finished fifth on Domarc in the Spa Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Eve 1990.
She won a Market Rasen handicap hurdle on Mardood on Boxing Day 1991, then finished third on that horse in Haydock’s Champion Hurdle Trial, beaten by Granville Again and Winnie The Witch. Susan and Mardood duly lined up for the 1992 Champion Hurdle but finished in rear, twelfth of the fourteen finishers.
She won a Market Rasen handicap hurdle on Mardood on Boxing Day 1991, then finished third on that horse in Haydock’s Champion Hurdle Trial, beaten by Granville Again and Winnie The Witch. Susan and Mardood duly lined up for the 1992 Champion Hurdle but finished in rear, twelfth of the fourteen finishers.
That 1991 Boxing Day win on Mardood turned out to be her last. She rode on for four more years, having her final mount on Bold Ambition, who finished eighth in a Market Rasen handicap hurdle on Easter Monday, April 7, 1996.
That 1991 Boxing Day win on Mardood turned out to be her last. She rode on for four more years, having her final mount on Bold Ambition, who finished eighth in a Market Rasen handicap hurdle on Easter Monday, April 7, 1996.
In January 1999, Trevor Kersey decided to quit the game after 40 years as a licence-holder. He announced he would not be reapplying for his licence following a dispute with racing’s authorities over how he paid his bills.
In January 1999, Trevor Kersey decided to quit the game after 40 years as a licence-holder. He announced he would not be reapplying for his licence following a dispute with racing’s authorities over how he paid his bills.