Kevin Maguire
National Hunt jockey Kevin Maguire was born on May 17, 1948 and served his apprenticeship with Owen O’Neill.
National Hunt jockey Kevin Maguire was born on May 17, 1948 and served his apprenticeship with Owen O’Neill.
He rode his first winner on Av Og Til, trained by Bill Marshall, in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot’s Easter fixture on Saturday, April 5, 1969. His only other winner that season was on Olympic, also for Marshall and also at Newton Abbot, on May 28.
He rode his first winner on Av Og Til, trained by Bill Marshall, in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot’s Easter fixture on Saturday, April 5, 1969. His only other winner that season was on Olympic, also for Marshall and also at Newton Abbot, on May 28.
Kevin’s best season was 1972/73, during which he rode 11 winners. He made a bright start by winning twice on Owen O’Neill’s juvenile hurdler Quackatory, at Newton Abbot on the opening day of the season and at Worcester on August 21. He had a third success five days later when O’Neill’s novice chaser Tottora won a two-horse race at Hereford. He won again on Quackatory at Wye at the end of that season.
Kevin’s best season was 1972/73, during which he rode 11 winners. He made a bright start by winning twice on Owen O’Neill’s juvenile hurdler Quackatory, at Newton Abbot on the opening day of the season and at Worcester on August 21. He had a third success five days later when O’Neill’s novice chaser Tottora won a two-horse race at Hereford. He won again on Quackatory at Wye at the end of that season.
The best horse Kevin rode was Eyecatcher, trained by John Bosley. He partnered her for the first time when third to Canasta Lad in the Harry Brown Challenge Cup at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1974. They were unlucky not to win the 1975 Topham Trophy at Liverpool, being in front two out when Eyecatcher swerved to avoid a loose horse, unseating Kevin in the process.
The best horse Kevin rode was Eyecatcher, trained by John Bosley. He partnered her for the first time when third to Canasta Lad in the Harry Brown Challenge Cup at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day 1974. They were unlucky not to win the 1975 Topham Trophy at Liverpool, being in front two out when Eyecatcher swerved to avoid a loose horse, unseating Kevin in the process.
Kevin gained a small measure of compensation when riding Eyecatcher to victory at Devon & Exeter on May 14, 1975. She also provided him with what would be the last two wins of his career, firstly at Wincanton on November 27, 1975, and then in the three-mile Grouse Handicap Chase at Chepstow on January 19, 1976.
Kevin gained a small measure of compensation when riding Eyecatcher to victory at Devon & Exeter on May 14, 1975. She also provided him with what would be the last two wins of his career, firstly at Wincanton on November 27, 1975, and then in the three-mile Grouse Handicap Chase at Chepstow on January 19, 1976.
He rode Eyecatcher for the final time in the Red April Handicap Chase at Wincanton on March 11, 1976, pulling up before the 11th fence after a series of mistakes. Indeed, he does not appear to have ridden again after that and may have suffered an injury. Whatever the reason, Brian Fletcher was in the saddle the following month when she finished third to Rag Trade and Red Rum in the Grand National.
He rode Eyecatcher for the final time in the Red April Handicap Chase at Wincanton on March 11, 1976, pulling up before the 11th fence after a series of mistakes. Indeed, he does not appear to have ridden again after that and may have suffered an injury. Whatever the reason, Brian Fletcher was in the saddle the following month when she finished third to Rag Trade and Red Rum in the Grand National.
Kevin retired from the saddle having ridden a total of 36 winners, while Eyecatcher went on to finish third again in the 1977 Grand National behind Red Rum and Churchtown Boy.
Kevin retired from the saddle having ridden a total of 36 winners, while Eyecatcher went on to finish third again in the 1977 Grand National behind Red Rum and Churchtown Boy.
In retirement, Kevin ran the stables at Ascot for many years.
In retirement, Kevin ran the stables at Ascot for many years.