James McKenna
James McKenna
James McKenna
1883-1935
1883-1935
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
James Patrick McKenna rode under both codes in the early years of the 20th century, registering four wins on the Flat and 15 over jumps.
James Patrick McKenna rode under both codes in the early years of the 20th century, registering four wins on the Flat and 15 over jumps.
Born in 1883, he was apprenticed to Edward McKenna (presumably his father) and had his first ride when finishing fourth on Rustic Beauty in the Selling Handicap Plate at Birmingham on June 24, 1899, a race won by champion jockey elect Sam Loates on Cosimo.
Born in 1883, he was apprenticed to Edward McKenna (presumably his father) and had his first ride when finishing fourth on Rustic Beauty in the Selling Handicap Plate at Birmingham on June 24, 1899, a race won by champion jockey elect Sam Loates on Cosimo.
Just over a year later, James had his first win when Wavelet’s Pride beat four rivals to take the Apprentices’ Plate at Worcester on July 5, 1900. The pair turned out again at Worcester the following day but things did not go so well this time as Wavelet’s Pride bolted and did not finish. After being ridden to victory on his next two starts by top jockeys Morny Cannon and Lester Reiff, the colt was reunited with James in a match race for the Apprentices’ Plate at Windsor in July and won by eight lengths.
Just over a year later, James had his first win when Wavelet’s Pride beat four rivals to take the Apprentices’ Plate at Worcester on July 5, 1900. The pair turned out again at Worcester the following day but things did not go so well this time as Wavelet’s Pride bolted and did not finish. After being ridden to victory on his next two starts by top jockeys Morny Cannon and Lester Reiff, the colt was reunited with James in a match race for the Apprentices’ Plate at Windsor in July and won by eight lengths.
James landed a double at Devon & Exeter on August 29 1906 riding True As Steel and Song of War
James landed a double at Devon & Exeter on August 29 1906 riding True As Steel and Song of War
Four years elapsed before his next win on the Flat, and he added just one more in that sphere in 1905 when, on July 1, the five-year-old Affinity won the Selling Handicap by a length and a half.
Four years elapsed before his next win on the Flat, and he added just one more in that sphere in 1905 when, on July 1, the five-year-old Affinity won the Selling Handicap by a length and a half.
James had already ridden three winners under National Hunt rules by this time. His first ride over obstacles had been as early as January 31, 1900, when he partnered Nameless Lass, which finished down the field in the Visitors’ Hurdle at Tenby Hunt. On February 4, 1904 he had his first success when La Layette won the Ditch Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newmarket.
James had already ridden three winners under National Hunt rules by this time. His first ride over obstacles had been as early as January 31, 1900, when he partnered Nameless Lass, which finished down the field in the Visitors’ Hurdle at Tenby Hunt. On February 4, 1904 he had his first success when La Layette won the Ditch Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newmarket.
As with his campaigns on the Flat, progress was slow, with five wins being the most he achieved in a calendar year (1906). He did record a double at Devon & Exeter on August 29, 1906, and won three hurdle races aboard True As Steel.
As with his campaigns on the Flat, progress was slow, with five wins being the most he achieved in a calendar year (1906). He did record a double at Devon & Exeter on August 29, 1906, and won three hurdle races aboard True As Steel.
Probably the best race he won was the Sandown Handicap Chase at that Esher venue on December 12, 1908, when the five-year-old Lord Chatham triumphed by 12 lengths.
Probably the best race he won was the Sandown Handicap Chase at that Esher venue on December 12, 1908, when the five-year-old Lord Chatham triumphed by 12 lengths.
Although he did not manage a winner in 1909 he did have two important rides that year. He partnered Lord Chatham in the Grand National but was among the fallers. However, they fared far better in the prestigious Lancashire Chase at Manchester the following month, finishing third, albeit well beaten, behind Moonstruck, ridden by Bob Chadwick.
Although he did not manage a winner in 1909 he did have two important rides that year. He partnered Lord Chatham in the Grand National but was among the fallers. However, they fared far better in the prestigious Lancashire Chase at Manchester the following month, finishing third, albeit well beaten, behind Moonstruck, ridden by Bob Chadwick.
After more than two years without a win, James scored his final victory at Folkestone on February 28, 1911, when Kilwilliam took the Chartham Chas by five lengths. He rode for the last time at Wolverhampton on March 15, 1915, when Censor finished third in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle.
After more than two years without a win, James scored his final victory at Folkestone on February 28, 1911, when Kilwilliam took the Chartham Chas by five lengths. He rode for the last time at Wolverhampton on March 15, 1915, when Censor finished third in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle.
James McKenna died in 1935.
James McKenna died in 1935.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Wavelet’s Pride, Worcester, July 5, 1900 Flat
1. Wavelet’s Pride, Worcester, July 5, 1900 Flat
2. Wavelet’s Pride, Windsor, July 28, 1900 Flat
2. Wavelet’s Pride, Windsor, July 28, 1900 Flat
3. La Layette, Newmarket, February 4, 1904 NH
3. La Layette, Newmarket, February 4, 1904 NH
4. Country Bumpkin, Leicester, July 19, 1904 Flat
4. Country Bumpkin, Leicester, July 19, 1904 Flat
5. Catherine Green, Lingfield Park, December 17, 1904 NH
5. Catherine Green, Lingfield Park, December 17, 1904 NH
6. Wild Apple, Kempton Park, February 4, 1905 NH
6. Wild Apple, Kempton Park, February 4, 1905 NH
7. Affinity, Birmingham, July 1, 1905 Flat
7. Affinity, Birmingham, July 1, 1905 Flat
8. True As Steel, Hooton Park, June 4, 1906 NH
8. True As Steel, Hooton Park, June 4, 1906 NH
9. True As Steel, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1906 NH
9. True As Steel, Newton Abbot, August 6, 1906 NH
10. True As Steel, Devon & Exeter, August 29, 1906 NH
10. True As Steel, Devon & Exeter, August 29, 1906 NH
11. Song Of War, Devon & Exeter, August 29, 1906 NH
11. Song Of War, Devon & Exeter, August 29, 1906 NH
12. Halival, Wye, December 20, 1906 NH
12. Halival, Wye, December 20, 1906 NH
13. Golden Ducat, Hawthorn Hill, March 19, 1907 NH
13. Golden Ducat, Hawthorn Hill, March 19, 1907 NH
14. Golden Ducat, Cardiff, April 2, 1907 NH
14. Golden Ducat, Cardiff, April 2, 1907 NH
15. Hopkins, Hawthorn Hill, March 26, 1908 NH
15. Hopkins, Hawthorn Hill, March 26, 1908 NH
16. Lord Chatham, Sandown Park, December 12, 1908 NH
16. Lord Chatham, Sandown Park, December 12, 1908 NH
17. Lady Lonely, Lingfield Park, December 18, 1908 NH
17. Lady Lonely, Lingfield Park, December 18, 1908 NH
18. Lord Chatham, Windsor, December 28, 1908 NH
18. Lord Chatham, Windsor, December 28, 1908 NH
19. Kilwilliam, Folkestone, February 28, 1911 NH
19. Kilwilliam, Folkestone, February 28, 1911 NH