Vince McKevitt
National Hunt jockey Vincent McKevitt was born on May 1, 1958. He rode as conditional jockey to Nick Gaselee’s stable and held a licence from the late 1970s to the late 1980s. Although averaging only half a dozen winners a season, he was a good and reliable journeyman rider.
National Hunt jockey Vincent McKevitt was born on May 1, 1958. He rode as conditional jockey to Nick Gaselee’s stable and held a licence from the late 1970s to the late 1980s. Although averaging only half a dozen winners a season, he was a good and reliable journeyman rider.
Perhaps the best horse with which he was regularly associated was Nick Gaselee’s chaser Keengaddy. Vince was still claiming 7lb when winning on him for the first time at Huntingdon on Boxing Day 1980. Later that season they teamed up to win the Jane Husbands Challenge Cup Chase at Taunton on April 23, 1981. He won on him again at Newton Abbot in October 1981. However, Richard Linley was on board when winning at Windsor the next month and also when finishing runner-up to Beacon Time in that season’s Topham Trophy.
Perhaps the best horse with which he was regularly associated was Nick Gaselee’s chaser Keengaddy. Vince was still claiming 7lb when winning on him for the first time at Huntingdon on Boxing Day 1980. Later that season they teamed up to win the Jane Husbands Challenge Cup Chase at Taunton on April 23, 1981. He won on him again at Newton Abbot in October 1981. However, Richard Linley was on board when winning at Windsor the next month and also when finishing runner-up to Beacon Time in that season’s Topham Trophy.
Vince enjoyed one of his best seasons in 1982/83 with seven wins, including the William Hill Handicap Chase at Windsor aboard Keengaddy on November 13, the Round Oak Novices’ Chase, also at Windsor, on Sirenia, and the Mid Devon Novices’ Chase at Newton Abbot’s Boxing Day fixture on Another Breeze. All three were trained by Nick Gaselee.
Vince enjoyed one of his best seasons in 1982/83 with seven wins, including the William Hill Handicap Chase at Windsor aboard Keengaddy on November 13, the Round Oak Novices’ Chase, also at Windsor, on Sirenia, and the Mid Devon Novices’ Chase at Newton Abbot’s Boxing Day fixture on Another Breeze. All three were trained by Nick Gaselee.
Vince’s tally of four for 1983/84 comprised Wincanton’s Somerset Chase on Keengaddy in September, the Devonair Radio Challenge Cup Chase on Leading Artist in October, and a brace of handicap hurdles on Long John at Leicester in December and Windsor in January.
Vince’s tally of four for 1983/84 comprised Wincanton’s Somerset Chase on Keengaddy in September, the Devonair Radio Challenge Cup Chase on Leading Artist in October, and a brace of handicap hurdles on Long John at Leicester in December and Windsor in January.
Two of Vince’s five wins in the 1985/86 campaign were gained on The Catchpool in decent novice chases at Lingfield on December 21 and Sandown on January 4. Two days after the Sandown win, Vince won a qualifier for the Tattersalls Novices’ Chase series on Drom Lady at Chepstow. Again, both horses were trained by Nick Gaselee.
Two of Vince’s five wins in the 1985/86 campaign were gained on The Catchpool in decent novice chases at Lingfield on December 21 and Sandown on January 4. Two days after the Sandown win, Vince won a qualifier for the Tattersalls Novices’ Chase series on Drom Lady at Chepstow. Again, both horses were trained by Nick Gaselee.
Sadly, having lost his claim when reaching the age of 26, Vince found life getting ever harder. He failed to ride a winner in 1987/88, his last season with a licence.
Sadly, having lost his claim when reaching the age of 26, Vince found life getting ever harder. He failed to ride a winner in 1987/88, his last season with a licence.
Having hung up his riding boots, Vince subsequently became a BHA equine welfare and integrity officer.
Having hung up his riding boots, Vince subsequently became a BHA equine welfare and integrity officer.