Seamus McCrystal
Seamus McCrystal was born in Cambridge, the son of a former Irish jockey. He had an eight-year career, riding as an apprentice on the Flat before going jumping. His Flat winners included Moufide for Newmarket trainer Tony Hide in a six-furlong apprentices’ handicap at Pontefract on September 7, 1982.
Seamus McCrystal was born in Cambridge, the son of a former Irish jockey. He had an eight-year career, riding as an apprentice on the Flat before going jumping. His Flat winners included Moufide for Newmarket trainer Tony Hide in a six-furlong apprentices’ handicap at Pontefract on September 7, 1982.
He graduated to riding over jumps and worked for John Edwards, Owen O’Neill and Paul Kelleway. He achieved by far his biggest success when winning the 1988 Imperial Cup on the Kelleway-trained Sprowston Boy (below), one of just two winners he rode that season.
He graduated to riding over jumps and worked for John Edwards, Owen O’Neill and Paul Kelleway. He achieved by far his biggest success when winning the 1988 Imperial Cup on the Kelleway-trained Sprowston Boy (below), one of just two winners he rode that season.
He rode what was to be his last winner on Suivez Moi for Newmarket trainer Conrad Allen in the E.E.N. Racing Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham on December 16, 1988. Suivez Moi also gave him what proved to be his final ride when finishing eighth at Catterick on January 21, 1989. The following month, on February 15, he was found dead on a sofa in a house near Epsom. He was 24.
He rode what was to be his last winner on Suivez Moi for Newmarket trainer Conrad Allen in the E.E.N. Racing Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham on December 16, 1988. Suivez Moi also gave him what proved to be his final ride when finishing eighth at Catterick on January 21, 1989. The following month, on February 15, he was found dead on a sofa in a house near Epsom. He was 24.
It was at first thought that he had died of asphyxia after a drinking session with friends at a public house in Worcester Park, and that his death was due to complications connected with influenza, as he had been suffering from flu at the time. However, Scotland Yard subsequently ordered laboratory tests after a tip-off from a concerned member of his family, and it transpired that traces of heroin were found in his body.
It was at first thought that he had died of asphyxia after a drinking session with friends at a public house in Worcester Park, and that his death was due to complications connected with influenza, as he had been suffering from flu at the time. However, Scotland Yard subsequently ordered laboratory tests after a tip-off from a concerned member of his family, and it transpired that traces of heroin were found in his body.
He had smoked cannabis, taken LSD and used ‘speed’ in an effort to keep his weight down. A post mortem revealed that his urine contained traces of cannabis, alcohol and morphine, a broken-down by-product of heroin. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.
He had smoked cannabis, taken LSD and used ‘speed’ in an effort to keep his weight down. A post mortem revealed that his urine contained traces of cannabis, alcohol and morphine, a broken-down by-product of heroin. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.