Frank Hayes (jockey)

Frank Hayes (1888–1923) was a jockey who, on June 4, 1923,[1] suffered a fatal heart attack in the midst of a steeplechase[2] at Belmont Park in New York State, USA.

The accident

The thirty-five-year-old Hayes had never won a race before[3] and in fact by profession was not actually a jockey but a horse trainer[4] and longtime stableman.[5] The horse, a 20-1 outsider called Sweet Kiss, was owned by Miss A.M. Frayling.[2] Hayes apparently died somewhere in the middle of the race, but his body remained in the saddle throughout. Sweet Kiss eventually crossed the finish line, winning by a head[6] with Hayes technically still atop her back, making him the first, and thus far only, jockey known to have won a race after death.[7]

Aftermath

Hayes' death was not discovered until Miss Frayling and race officials came to congratulate him shortly after the race. It was suggested that the fatal heart attack may have been brought on by Hayes' extreme efforts to meet the weight requirements, possibly followed by the excitement of riding to the front of the pack.[2] The newspaper reported he had slimmed down from 142 pounds to 130 pounds in a very short time.[8]

After the discovery of Hayes' death, all further post-race formalities were waived by the Jockey Club, the result being declared official without the customary weighing in.[9] Hayes, dressed in his colorful racing silks, was buried three days later.[3] The horse was never in a race again.[6] It was claimed that Sweet Kiss was nicknamed "Sweet Kiss of Death" for the rest of her life.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Frank Hayes, The Only Dead Man to Win a Horse Race". Neatorama. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 [ Displaying Abstract ]. "Jockey Dies as He Wins His First Race - Hayes Collapses Passing the Winning Post - Front Page - NYTimes.com". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Archived September 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ "Things that make you go...hmmm. Message Board - Msg: 28940447". Siliconinvestor.com. June 4, 1923. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  5. ↑ Unusual Death #9: A Stellar Finish. "Unusual Death #9: A Stellar Finish". Diabolique Magazine. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. 1 2 https://www.facebook.com/HorseRacingHistory/photos/a.306750466081390.68483.305963939493376/563454017077699/
  7. ↑ Esteban. "Frank Hayes". 11 Tragic Cases Of Athletes With Bad Tickers. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  8. ↑ http://fultonhistory.com/newspaper%202/Auburn%20NY%20Citizen/Auburn%20NY%20Citizen%201923%20pdf/Newspaper%20Auburn%20NY%20Citizen%201923%20-%200358.PDF
  9. ↑ "Colin's Ghost: Thoroughbred Racing History » Jockey Dies in the Saddle, 1923". Colinsghost.org. February 10, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  10. ↑ "12 Essential Facts About the Folks Who Race Horses". Neatorama. July 15, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2014.


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