Frank McKenna
Frank McKenna
Frank McKenna
1908 - 1999
Frank McKenna began his career on the Flat before riding his first winner over jumps on Llandilo in the Charleville Hurdle at Mallow (today known as Cork) on Easter Monday, April 18, 1949.
Frank McKenna began his career on the Flat before riding his first winner over jumps on Llandilo in the Charleville Hurdle at Mallow (today known as Cork) on Easter Monday, April 18, 1949.
The following month he came within a short head of winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas on 100-1 outsider Black Hyacinth, beaten by the narrowest of margins by 6-1 co-favourite Sunlit Ride, the mount of Herbert Holmes.
The following month he came within a short head of winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas on 100-1 outsider Black Hyacinth, beaten by the narrowest of margins by 6-1 co-favourite Sunlit Ride, the mount of Herbert Holmes.
In August 1950, Frank brought off the big ‘Galway Double’ when winning the Galway Plate (known then simply as the Galway Handicap Chase) on Mr P. Digney’s 10-year-old Derrinstown, and the Galway Handicap Hurdle on Mr H. E. Rawson’s 50-1 outsider Lady Find.
In August 1950, Frank brought off the big ‘Galway Double’ when winning the Galway Plate (known then simply as the Galway Handicap Chase) on Mr P. Digney’s 10-year-old Derrinstown, and the Galway Handicap Hurdle on Mr H. E. Rawson’s 50-1 outsider Lady Find.
Derrinstown became Frank’s first ride in England when trailing in 15th of 16 finishers in the Grand Sefton Trial Chase at Hurst Park on October 19, 1950. Three weeks later they started in the Molyneux Chase at Liverpool but were carried out by a loose horse.
Derrinstown became Frank’s first ride in England when trailing in 15th of 16 finishers in the Grand Sefton Trial Chase at Hurst Park on October 19, 1950. Three weeks later they started in the Molyneux Chase at Liverpool but were carried out by a loose horse.
Back on home soil, Frank rode course specialist Amritsir to win the Celbridge Chase at Naas in April 1951.
Back on home soil, Frank rode course specialist Amritsir to win the Celbridge Chase at Naas in April 1951.
He had ridden more than 15 winners in Ireland before coming to ride in Britain on a more regular basis in the 1952/53 season. He had around three dozen rides and one winner, which came at Wincanton on November 20, 1952, when Ginsky, trained by Captain Ryan Price, took the lead two flights from home and went on to land the Northam Selling Handicap Hurdle by four lengths.
He had ridden more than 15 winners in Ireland before coming to ride in Britain on a more regular basis in the 1952/53 season. He had around three dozen rides and one winner, which came at Wincanton on November 20, 1952, when Ginsky, trained by Captain Ryan Price, took the lead two flights from home and went on to land the Northam Selling Handicap Hurdle by four lengths.
He had one more ride on the mare, an unplaced effort at Hurst Park on March 7, 1953 in the Camberley Selling Handicap Hurdle. That proved to be his final ride in England. He returned to Ireland in 1954 but also spent part of his career riding in Canada.
He had one more ride on the mare, an unplaced effort at Hurst Park on March 7, 1953 in the Camberley Selling Handicap Hurdle. That proved to be his final ride in England. He returned to Ireland in 1954 but also spent part of his career riding in Canada.
Frank had married a Dutch girl. Their son (born 1946) was christened Fredorick Willem, but adopted the English names of Frederick William. He followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a jockey and recorded his biggest success on 20-1 shot Royal Epic in the 1975 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Frank had married a Dutch girl. Their son (born 1946) was christened Fredorick Willem, but adopted the English names of Frederick William. He followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a jockey and recorded his biggest success on 20-1 shot Royal Epic in the 1975 Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
August 1950: Frank lands the big Galway double on Derrinstown and Lady Find
Frank, riding the 100-1 outsider Black Hyacinth, is beaten a short head by the favourite Sunlit Ride
