Chris McNamee
Born in 1942, Flat jockey Christopher Joseph McNamee was a late starter when it came to riding in races. He was a 35-year-old work rider with Peter Walwyn when he finally had his first ride in public, finishing seventh on Inventory in the Danny Maher Handicap at Haydock on April 6, 1977.
Born in 1942, Flat jockey Christopher Joseph McNamee was a late starter when it came to riding in races. He was a 35-year-old work rider with Peter Walwyn when he finally had his first ride in public, finishing seventh on Inventory in the Danny Maher Handicap at Haydock on April 6, 1977.
The following month, on May 7, he was beaten a short-head on Taffy Salaman’s Young Toby in the Francasal Selling Stakes at Bath. That was the nearest he’d come to winning a race in Britain.
The following month, on May 7, he was beaten a short-head on Taffy Salaman’s Young Toby in the Francasal Selling Stakes at Bath. That was the nearest he’d come to winning a race in Britain.
Chris had worked for top trainers including Syd Dale and John Sutcliffe senior, as well as Peter Walwyn. However, by the time he was 40 he was resigned to other jockeys getting the glory, he being one of those top work riders who couldn’t quite make it in races on the Flat. But then he got the opportunity to ride in Kenya, courtesy of fellow jockey Frank Morby, a man who had himself battled his way up from relative obscurity. The pair had become friends while riding out for Peter Walwyn at Seven Barrows.
Chris had worked for top trainers including Syd Dale and John Sutcliffe senior, as well as Peter Walwyn. However, by the time he was 40 he was resigned to other jockeys getting the glory, he being one of those top work riders who couldn’t quite make it in races on the Flat. But then he got the opportunity to ride in Kenya, courtesy of fellow jockey Frank Morby, a man who had himself battled his way up from relative obscurity. The pair had become friends while riding out for Peter Walwyn at Seven Barrows.
Frank had had plenty of success in Kenya and when an opportunity arose for another jockey there, he rang Chris and offered him the chance. Chris packed his bags at a moment’s notice and moved his family to Kenya.
Frank had had plenty of success in Kenya and when an opportunity arose for another jockey there, he rang Chris and offered him the chance. Chris packed his bags at a moment’s notice and moved his family to Kenya.
After some initial success, his main job fell through but Chris had by then already linked up with Veronica Scott-Mason’s 11-horse team. Out of that small string they won 1983 Kenya Guineas and the Prince of Wales Cup, plus eleven races with seven two-year-olds.
After some initial success, his main job fell through but Chris had by then already linked up with Veronica Scott-Mason’s 11-horse team. Out of that small string they won 1983 Kenya Guineas and the Prince of Wales Cup, plus eleven races with seven two-year-olds.
At 41, Chris McNamee had finally found his niche. He only wished that he’d known about it ten years earlier. Instead of being too keen when riding in races, as had been the case in Britain, his confidence was now sky high. Reflecting on that short-head defeat at Bath, he reckoned that if he could have had the chance again, he’d have won the race nicely by two lengths.
At 41, Chris McNamee had finally found his niche. He only wished that he’d known about it ten years earlier. Instead of being too keen when riding in races, as had been the case in Britain, his confidence was now sky high. Reflecting on that short-head defeat at Bath, he reckoned that if he could have had the chance again, he’d have won the race nicely by two lengths.
Chris enjoyed some good years in Kenya before eventually returning home. He is now a visitor for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Chris enjoyed some good years in Kenya before eventually returning home. He is now a visitor for the Injured Jockeys Fund.