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Daniel McKenna
Daniel McKenna
1899-1939
1899-1939
Jockey-turned-trainer-turned-playwright Daniel Burke McKenna packed a lot into his short but colourful life. Born in Salisbury in 1899, his father, James, and grandfather were both successful Epsom trainers, and that is where Daniel served his apprenticeship with Richard Wootton, father of Frank and Stanley, at Treadwell House.
Jockey-turned-trainer-turned-playwright Daniel Burke McKenna packed a lot into his short but colourful life. Born in Salisbury in 1899, his father, James, and grandfather were both successful Epsom trainers, and that is where Daniel served his apprenticeship with Richard Wootton, father of Frank and Stanley, at Treadwell House.
He rode his first winner on Ambush in the Visitors Apprentice Plate at Newmarket on 12 July 1912, beating Pavola, ridden by Harry Chaloner, by half a length. He added five more before the season ended.
He rode his first winner on Ambush in the Visitors Apprentice Plate at Newmarket on 12 July 1912, beating Pavola, ridden by Harry Chaloner, by half a length. He added five more before the season ended.
He rode 22 winners in 1913 including a treble at Nottingham in October and four winners during Liverpool’s November meeting, along with Alexandra Park’s Municipal Handicap on Holt’s Pride, the Birmingham Handicap on Kodak, and Lingfield Park’s Pheasant Handicap on Scarlet Runner.
He rode 22 winners in 1913 including a treble at Nottingham in October and four winners during Liverpool’s November meeting, along with Alexandra Park’s Municipal Handicap on Holt’s Pride, the Birmingham Handicap on Kodak, and Lingfield Park’s Pheasant Handicap on Scarlet Runner.
He continued to do well in the early months of 1914, with doubles at Liverpool’s Spring Meeting, at Leicester in April, Birmingham on Easter Monday and Hurst Park on 2 May, amassing 11 wins in the first six weeks of the season and riding out his claim. There were no big race wins, although he came close when finishing second in Kempton Park’s Great ‘Jubilee’ Handicap.
He continued to do well in the early months of 1914, with doubles at Liverpool’s Spring Meeting, at Leicester in April, Birmingham on Easter Monday and Hurst Park on 2 May, amassing 11 wins in the first six weeks of the season and riding out his claim. There were no big race wins, although he came close when finishing second in Kempton Park’s Great ‘Jubilee’ Handicap.
He added only two more during the war restricted season of 1915, the second of which was on Hero in the Cunningham Plate at Ayr on 11 May, beating Joe Thwaites’ mount Yellow Jester by a length and a half.
He added only two more during the war restricted season of 1915, the second of which was on Hero in the Cunningham Plate at Ayr on 11 May, beating Joe Thwaites’ mount Yellow Jester by a length and a half.
Having ridden 50 winners on the Flat, he turned his attentions to the jumps and had his first ride over obstacles at Gatwick on New Year’s Day 1916, when Strong Boy finished unplaced in a field of 26 for the Maiden Hurdle. He relinquished his Flat jockey’s licence later that year.
Having ridden 50 winners on the Flat, he turned his attentions to the jumps and had his first ride over obstacles at Gatwick on New Year’s Day 1916, when Strong Boy finished unplaced in a field of 26 for the Maiden Hurdle. He relinquished his Flat jockey’s licence later that year.
However, before managing to ride a winner under National Hunt rules he also relinquished his jumps licence in 1917 – as a jockey he was once banned for ‘foul language’ – and moved to Ireland, where he trained successfully for owner Mr C. F. Kenyon, based at the Curragh.
However, before managing to ride a winner under National Hunt rules he also relinquished his jumps licence in 1917 – as a jockey he was once banned for ‘foul language’ – and moved to Ireland, where he trained successfully for owner Mr C. F. Kenyon, based at the Curragh.
He trained and rode his first British jumps winner on 9 January 1920, when bringing Golden System over from Ireland to land the Friday Selling Hurdle at Haydock Park, having finished second over the same course seven days earlier. Golden System had not won a race since 1916 but made no mistake in beating Ophion by six lengths. After finishing third at Birmingham three days later, they were back in the winner’s enclosure when taking the Hinckley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Leicester on 10 February, beating future champion jockey Fred ‘Dick’ Rees, still an amateur at the time, on Anisette by one and a half lengths.
He trained and rode his first British jumps winner on 9 January 1920, when bringing Golden System over from Ireland to land the Friday Selling Hurdle at Haydock Park, having finished second over the same course seven days earlier. Golden System had not won a race since 1916 but made no mistake in beating Ophion by six lengths. After finishing third at Birmingham three days later, they were back in the winner’s enclosure when taking the Hinckley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Leicester on 10 February, beating future champion jockey Fred ‘Dick’ Rees, still an amateur at the time, on Anisette by one and a half lengths.
Daniel’s third and final win of the season came at Cheltenham on 14 April when partnering Red Rory to victory in the Four Years Old Handicap Hurdle, scoring by ten lengths.
Daniel’s third and final win of the season came at Cheltenham on 14 April when partnering Red Rory to victory in the Four Years Old Handicap Hurdle, scoring by ten lengths.
Back at the Curragh, in 1923 he saddled Mr Kenyon’s Orpine, a 100/1 outsider, in the Irish Derby, finishing 11th of the 15 starters. He married the daughter of leading trainer Senator J.J. Parkinson, one of the world’s top exporters of bloodstock.
Back at the Curragh, in 1923 he saddled Mr Kenyon’s Orpine, a 100/1 outsider, in the Irish Derby, finishing 11th of the 15 starters. He married the daughter of leading trainer Senator J.J. Parkinson, one of the world’s top exporters of bloodstock.
When Kenyon died in 1924, Daniel returned to England and resumed his riding career, landing the Wolverhampton Handicap Hurdle at that Staffordshire venue on 27 December aboard the five-year-old Emphatic. Just ten days later he had another success when Rosemary won the Moseley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham by three lengths.
When Kenyon died in 1924, Daniel returned to England and resumed his riding career, landing the Wolverhampton Handicap Hurdle at that Staffordshire venue on 27 December aboard the five-year-old Emphatic. Just ten days later he had another success when Rosemary won the Moseley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham by three lengths.
August 1925 was a pivotal month for National Hunt racing in Britain. For the first time the season officially started in the summer instead of beginning on 1 January. Daniel won the second race under the new system when Pullman scored in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on 3 August, beating Lionceau, the mount of Eric Foster, by one and a half lengths. By then, Foster was well on his way to becoming champion jockey for 1925, the last time the title would be decided on a calendar year basis.
August 1925 was a pivotal month for National Hunt racing in Britain. For the first time the season officially started in the summer instead of beginning on 1 January. Daniel won the second race under the new system when Pullman scored in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on 3 August, beating Lionceau, the mount of Eric Foster, by one and a half lengths. By then, Foster was well on his way to becoming champion jockey for 1925, the last time the title would be decided on a calendar year basis.
Daniel took out a trainer’s licence for the Flat in 1926, based at Lewes, but continued to have the occasional ride over jumps. He had his final success in that sphere when the six-year-old Manifest was a three-length winner of the Poole Selling Hurdle at Bournemouth on 27 March 1928. They were beaten a neck next time out at Folkestone in April.
Daniel took out a trainer’s licence for the Flat in 1926, based at Lewes, but continued to have the occasional ride over jumps. He had his final success in that sphere when the six-year-old Manifest was a three-length winner of the Poole Selling Hurdle at Bournemouth on 27 March 1928. They were beaten a neck next time out at Folkestone in April.
Daniel had his final ride at Wye on 25 March 1929 when unplaced on Alchemist in the Harville Hurdle. In November that year he brought five horses from his training base at Lewes to Cozey Lodge at Lambourn. However, he relinquished his trainer’s licence less than a month later, the stable being taken over by Major David Mairs.
Daniel had his final ride at Wye on 25 March 1929 when unplaced on Alchemist in the Harville Hurdle. In November that year he brought five horses from his training base at Lewes to Cozey Lodge at Lambourn. However, he relinquished his trainer’s licence less than a month later, the stable being taken over by Major David Mairs.
Monday October 1913, Daniel landed a double at Nottingham on the unnamed Double A filly and Bulger Boy
He then turned to writing plays, most notably ‘Van Gogh’ under the pen-name of Dan Burke, telling the tragic story of the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, who committed suicide aged 35. A shortened version of the play was broadcast live on the fledgling BBC television in 1937.
He then turned to writing plays, most notably ‘Van Gogh’ under the pen-name of Dan Burke, telling the tragic story of the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, who committed suicide aged 35. A shortened version of the play was broadcast live on the fledgling BBC television in 1937.
The play was produced and performed at the Arts Theatre Club the same year and enjoyed a lengthy run. When asked about how he became a playwright, Dan replied that he was as surprised as anybody by his success. When congratulated, he responded: “I don’t know how I’ve done it, for I never had any schooling”.
The play was produced and performed at the Arts Theatre Club the same year and enjoyed a lengthy run. When asked about how he became a playwright, Dan replied that he was as surprised as anybody by his success. When congratulated, he responded: “I don’t know how I’ve done it, for I never had any schooling”.
The play ‘Van Gogh’ was so successful that it was intended for a West End run in 1939, only for war to intervene, causing theatres to be temporarily closed down.
The play ‘Van Gogh’ was so successful that it was intended for a West End run in 1939, only for war to intervene, causing theatres to be temporarily closed down.
Sadly, Dan did not live to see his play performed in the West End. On Sunday, 22 October 1939, his body was recovered from the sea at Dunlaoghaire, Kingstown, after he had been missing for three weeks. A verdict of death from drowning was returned at an inquest the following day. He was 39 years old.
Sadly, Dan did not live to see his play performed in the West End. On Sunday, 22 October 1939, his body was recovered from the sea at Dunlaoghaire, Kingstown, after he had been missing for three weeks. A verdict of death from drowning was returned at an inquest the following day. He was 39 years old.
Thanks to Alan Trout for providing the bulk of this article.
Thanks to Alan Trout for providing the bulk of this article.
Thomas Holcroft, born on 22 December, 1744, was, like Daniel McKenna, a young jockey with the gift of writing. He became noted for his “eccentricity” – because he was able to correctly spell a word of six syllables, trainer John Watson lambasted him for wasting all his time reading. Thomas was then accused of secretly studying Arnold's Psalmody and of making arithmetical calculations with a rusty nail upon the stable doors. His fellow stable-lads pronounced him hopelessly mad.
Thomas Holcroft, born on 22 December, 1744, was, like Daniel McKenna, a young jockey with the gift of writing. He became noted for his “eccentricity” – because he was able to correctly spell a word of six syllables, trainer John Watson lambasted him for wasting all his time reading. Thomas was then accused of secretly studying Arnold's Psalmody and of making arithmetical calculations with a rusty nail upon the stable doors. His fellow stable-lads pronounced him hopelessly mad.
He headed for London from where, until his death on March 23,1809, a long array of books appeared from his busy pen. The novels which he wrote, especially Hugh Trevor, were not without merit, but it was as a dramatist that he found the most recognition. Two years on the Continent led to his production of The Private Life of Voltaire, The Follies of the Day, Memoirs of Baron Trench, and An Abridgement of Lavater's Physiognomy.
He headed for London from where, until his death on March 23,1809, a long array of books appeared from his busy pen. The novels which he wrote, especially Hugh Trevor, were not without merit, but it was as a dramatist that he found the most recognition. Two years on the Continent led to his production of The Private Life of Voltaire, The Follies of the Day, Memoirs of Baron Trench, and An Abridgement of Lavater's Physiognomy.
Among the thousands of stable-lads attached to training establishments since his day, Thomas aspired to literary eminence—producing, as he did, one drama which, a hundred years after his death, was still being staged in London.
Among the thousands of stable-lads attached to training establishments since his day, Thomas aspired to literary eminence—producing, as he did, one drama which, a hundred years after his death, was still being staged in London.
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