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Frank Hayes (jockey)

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American jockey (1901–1923)

Frank Hayes
Born1901 (1901)
Ireland
Died (aged 22)
Elmont, New York, US
Cause of deathHeart attack
OccupationJockey

Frank Hayes (1901 – 4 June 1923) was an Irish horse trainer and jockey who, on 4 June 1923, at Belmont Park racetrack in Elmont, New York, won a steeplechase despite suffering a fatal heart attack in the latter part of the race.

Death

Hayes had never won a race before, as by profession he was not a jockey but a horse trainer and stableman. The horse, a 20:1 outsider called Sweet Kiss, was owned by Miss A. M. Frayling. Hayes died in the latter part of the race and his body remained in the saddle when Sweet Kiss crossed the finish line, winning by a head, making him the first, and so far only, jockey known to have won a race after death.

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, as a newspaper reported he had slimmed down from 142 pounds (64 kg) to 130 pounds (59 kg) in a very short time.

After the discovery of Hayes' death, all further post-race formalities were waived by the Jockey Club, the result being declared official without the weighing in. Hayes was buried three days later, dressed in his racing silks at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York City. The horse never raced again, and it is claimed that Sweet Kiss was nicknamed "Sweet Kiss of Death" for the rest of her life.

References

  1. "Fourteenth Census of the United States: 1920—Population". Department of Commerce: Bureau of the Census. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  2. Farrier, John (October 29, 2012). "Frank Hayes, The Only Dead Man to Win a Horse Race". Neatorama. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  3. ^ "Jockey Dies as He Wins His First Race - Hayes Collapses Passing the Winning Post". The New York Times. June 5, 1923. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  4. ^ "The Only Dead Man in History to Win a Race at New York's Belmont Park". Curious History. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013.
  5. Alberswerth, Matt (November 2, 2012). "Unusual Death #9: A Stellar Finish". Diabolique Magazine. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. Esteban (April 16, 2012). "11 Tragic Cases Of Athletes With Bad Tickers". TotalProSports. Archived from the original on July 20, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  7. Britton, Bianca (December 13, 2018). "Frank Hayes: The jockey who won a race despite being dead". CNN. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  8. "Jockey Rides First Winner and Then Dies" (PDF). The Auburn Ciizen. June 5, 1923. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 16, 2020 – via Fulton History.
  9. "Jockey Dies in the Saddle, 1923". Colin's Ghost. February 10, 2009. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  10. "Bury Jockey Frank Hayes in Holy Cross Cemetery". The Standard Union. June 6, 1923. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Cellania, Miss (July 15, 2010). "12 Essential Facts About the Folks Who Race Horses". Neatorama. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
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