Kevin McGuiness
Kevin McGuinness
Kevin McGuinness
Kevin McGuinness did not have that many rides over jumps – never more than two dozen in a season – but nonetheless managed to win seven races. Born on November 21, 1943, he started out riding for Wickhambrook trainer Doug Griffiths and had his first ride on Ardent Kelly, finishing seventh of 19 runners in the Lake Selling Hurdle at Nottingham on November 19, 1968.
Kevin McGuinness did not have that many rides over jumps – never more than two dozen in a season – but nonetheless managed to win seven races. Born on November 21, 1943, he started out riding for Wickhambrook trainer Doug Griffiths and had his first ride on Ardent Kelly, finishing seventh of 19 runners in the Lake Selling Hurdle at Nottingham on November 19, 1968.
It was not until the meeting at Fakenham on October 11, 1969 that he had his first winner when Tiffle narrowly landed the Hunstanton Selling Hurdle, beating Glenample, the mount of Jeff King, by half a length. The six-year-old was owned and trained by Doug Griffiths and, having not been placed in six previous outings, was an unconsidered 20/1 chance. However, to prove it was no fluke, the pair turned out at Market Rasen on November 1 and beat 15 rivals to claim the Holton Selling Handicap Hurdle by a length and a half.
It was not until the meeting at Fakenham on October 11, 1969 that he had his first winner when Tiffle narrowly landed the Hunstanton Selling Hurdle, beating Glenample, the mount of Jeff King, by half a length. The six-year-old was owned and trained by Doug Griffiths and, having not been placed in six previous outings, was an unconsidered 20/1 chance. However, to prove it was no fluke, the pair turned out at Market Rasen on November 1 and beat 15 rivals to claim the Holton Selling Handicap Hurdle by a length and a half.
Kevin had his third success when Toy Soldier beat two opponents in the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on Whit Monday, May 25, 1970. More than a year passed before he won again but at Folkestone on September 20, 1971 the nine-year-old King Cup, trained like Toy Soldier by Doug Griffiths and making his seasonal reappearance, landed the Pembury Selling Hurdle, beating Ocean Sailor by a length and a half, giving Kevin his only victory of the season.
Kevin had his third success when Toy Soldier beat two opponents in the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on Whit Monday, May 25, 1970. More than a year passed before he won again but at Folkestone on September 20, 1971 the nine-year-old King Cup, trained like Toy Soldier by Doug Griffiths and making his seasonal reappearance, landed the Pembury Selling Hurdle, beating Ocean Sailor by a length and a half, giving Kevin his only victory of the season.
He left Griffiths soon after and went to work as assistant trainer to Peter Poston at Newmarket. He achieved his fifth win when dual-purpose performer Homefield led throughout to take the Swaffham Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham on September 9, 1972 by eight lengths. They had an even easier success next time out when landing the Duncrub Novices’ Hurdle at Perth twelve days later, again making all and winning eased down by 15 lengths.
He left Griffiths soon after and went to work as assistant trainer to Peter Poston at Newmarket. He achieved his fifth win when dual-purpose performer Homefield led throughout to take the Swaffham Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham on September 9, 1972 by eight lengths. They had an even easier success next time out when landing the Duncrub Novices’ Hurdle at Perth twelve days later, again making all and winning eased down by 15 lengths.
Running horses as far north as Perth was not unusual for Poston. Although based in Newmarket, the majority of his runners were at northern and Scottish tracks, making the most of the generous travelling allowance the Levy Board used to pay in those days. At one time he had 35 horses in his yard, all of which he owned himself. He relied on the Levy Board subsidy as an essential part of his training operation.
Running horses as far north as Perth was not unusual for Poston. Although based in Newmarket, the majority of his runners were at northern and Scottish tracks, making the most of the generous travelling allowance the Levy Board used to pay in those days. At one time he had 35 horses in his yard, all of which he owned himself. He relied on the Levy Board subsidy as an essential part of his training operation.
The front-running Homefield was his best horse and gave him his biggest success when winning the Tennent Trophy at Ayr in 1973, one of five handicaps the horse won from 18 starts that season.
The front-running Homefield was his best horse and gave him his biggest success when winning the Tennent Trophy at Ayr in 1973, one of five handicaps the horse won from 18 starts that season.
Kevin’s third win of the season would also be the last of his career. He gained it on another of Poston’s horses, Church Mouse, at Ayr on October 18 in the three-runner Glaisnock Selling Hurdle. The four-year-old led all the way but was challenged at the final flight by Fair Moss. Church Mouse held on by half a length, then survived an objection by the runner-up’s jockey, Kevin McCauley. No doubt to Poston’s relief, there was no bid for the winner at the post-race auction.
Kevin’s third win of the season would also be the last of his career. He gained it on another of Poston’s horses, Church Mouse, at Ayr on October 18 in the three-runner Glaisnock Selling Hurdle. The four-year-old led all the way but was challenged at the final flight by Fair Moss. Church Mouse held on by half a length, then survived an objection by the runner-up’s jockey, Kevin McCauley. No doubt to Poston’s relief, there was no bid for the winner at the post-race auction.
Kevin had his last ride when unplaced on Widdicombe in the Fakenham Novices’ Hurdle at that Norfolk venue on Easter Monday, April 23, 1973. He eventually decided to opt out of racing and began travelling horses as a ‘flying groom’, as it was far better paid. Over the years is travels took him to many distant parts of the world including Bangkok, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.
Kevin had his last ride when unplaced on Widdicombe in the Fakenham Novices’ Hurdle at that Norfolk venue on Easter Monday, April 23, 1973. He eventually decided to opt out of racing and began travelling horses as a ‘flying groom’, as it was far better paid. Over the years is travels took him to many distant parts of the world including Bangkok, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.
Kevin McGuinness’s winners were, in chronological order:
Kevin McGuinness’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Tiffle, Fakenham, October 11, 1969
1. Tiffle, Fakenham, October 11, 1969
2. Tiffle, Market Rasen, November 1, 1969
2. Tiffle, Market Rasen, November 1, 1969
3. Toy Soldier, Huntingdon, May 25, 1970
3. Toy Soldier, Huntingdon, May 25, 1970
4. King Cup, Folkestone, September 20, 1971
4. King Cup, Folkestone, September 20, 1971
5. Homefield, Fakenham, September 9, 1972
5. Homefield, Fakenham, September 9, 1972
6. Homefield, Perth, September 21, 1972
6. Homefield, Perth, September 21, 1972
7. Church Mouse, Ayr, October 18, 1972
7. Church Mouse, Ayr, October 18, 1972
Thanks to Alan Trout for providing much of this article including the full list of winners.
Thanks to Alan Trout for providing much of this article including the full list of winners.
