Dead Jockey Wins Race

Frank Hayes the dead jockey that won a race.

Amazing story of how a jockey in 1923 wins a horse race even though he died during the race. Recently a writer for Horse Racing World heard about Frank Hayes a jockey from the 1920’s.

A very unique story about Frank and how he changed horse racing forever. Somewhat tragic and interesting story.

Background on Frank Hayes

Frank was not a jockey and was actually a trainer and worked as a stablehand.

Born in 1901 in Ireland, dies June 24, 1923. Frank was well known around the stables and horse racing community and was well liked.

Jockey Died During the Race

Both tragic and unique but Frank is known as the only dead jockey to win race.

More About Sweet Kiss

The owner of Sweet Kiss, Miss A.M. Frayling approached Frank to ride as a jockey at Belmonte.

7 Years Old
Races Ran is One
Races Won is One
Type of Race Steeplechase
Sweet Kiss a 2:1 Longshot

Research has stated that this would only be the second time Frank would be a jockey in a race. Sadly it was also his last.

How Frank Hayes became a Jockey

After years of being a trainer and working in the stables he knew horses well. Even though the owners had never run Sweet Kiss previously it seems their confidence in Frank was sort of prophetic.

Although some articles have said Frank might have been nervous, we want to think he was excited to ride.

Frank Had to Lose Weight

His biggest issue was he had little time to prepare.After accepting the challenge to ride Sweet Kiss had had one problem. He weighed 142 pounds.

Frank had to lose 12 pounds and he had 3 days to do it. Could he lose enough to make the 130 pounds maximum? There is much speculation of how he did it, but he made weight by the third day.

Belmonte Park makes History

June 4, 1923 in Elmont New York. It was a steeplechase with a total of 12 jumps.

Sweet Kiss Wins Race with Dead Jockey

Since this took place in 1923 there is not known footage of the race. It is said the the favorite, named Gimme led for a good portion of the race. Commenters claimed that Sweet Kiss stayed within 2 or 3 lengths early in the race.

As they entered the last corner, and cleared the last fence Sweet Kiss pulled away and managed to cross the line first. Records show a win by a length and a half.

Sad Ending Winning Jockey Dead

What was the saddest and strangest thing was that at the end of the race Frank did not move. There were no cheers of joy or excitement from him. When the track officials met him and the horse they realized there was a problem.

Some reports said he was slumped over and did not move. A few stated when they approached him he then fell off the horse into the ground.

The shocking and sad ending is that frank had died during the last part of the race.

Aftermath

The Jockey Club and track officials decided there was nothing that could be done. They did waive the weigh in and declared Frank and Sweet Kiss the winners. At the time there was no rule that a jockey had to be alive when crossing the finish line.

Also, even though she had won, Sweet Kiss never raced again. Rumor has it they she became known by the nickname of Sweet Kiss of Death. No word on whether she was ever bred.

What Happened to Frank

Since Frank was only 22 at the time he likely assumed he could handle dropping that much weight fast. It is speculated he likely was dehydrated and did not have enough fluids during his slim down.

Whether it was the rapid weight loss, lack of fluids, or the excitement of the moment, he had a heart attack mid race.