Kevin Shea (born 16 April 1964) is a former South African horse racing jockey. He was a former stable jockey for trainer Mike de Kock, and rode 26 Grade 1 winners for the trainer.

Kevin Shea
OccupationJockey
Born (1963-04-16) 16 April 1963 (age 61)
Durban, South Africa
Career wins2000+
Major racing wins
Durban July Handicap (2002, 2008)
Dubai Duty Free (2003)
Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2008)
Hong Kong Cup (2008)
Dubai Sheema Classic (2008)
Jebel Hatta (2012)
Significant horses
Ipi Tombe, Lizard's Desire, Dancers Daughter, Sun Classique, Via Africa

His career lasted 37 years, before retiring in 2015 after experiencing chronic back problems. He is currently an on-course presenter for Gold Circle TV which covers horse racing in KwaZulu-Natal.[1]

Early life

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Shea attended Northlands High School, before enrolling into the South African Jockey Academy in 1977.[2]

Early career

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Shea's first winner as an apprentice came in 1979, onboard DRUID'S ROBE for trainer Des Rich. He would go onto ride 100 winners as an apprentice.

Major wins

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South Africa

He is a two-time winner of the Vodacom Durban July.[3] His first victory coming on board the filly Ipi Tombe for trainer Mike de Kock in 2002. His second July victory came in 2008 when he dead-heated for first with Dancers Daughter for the Justin Snaith stable.

Shea won the Summer Cup four times. His first win came in 1982 while still an apprentice, on board the filly 'Have A Fling' for trainer Buller Benton (the race then was known as the Holiday Inns).[4]

International

Shea has ridden winners in UAE (Dubai), Hong Kong, Mauritius and Singapore. His list of international feature wins include the Dubai Duty Free (Ipi Tombe, 2003), Sheema Classic (Sun Classique, 2008), QEII Cup (Archipenko, 2008), Hong Kong Cup (2008), Singapore Cup (2010) and Jebel Hatta (2012).

South African Colours

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Shea represented South Africa in the International Jockeys’ Challenge in November 2008, which took place at Turffontein.[5]

Feature Winners

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Here is a list of Grade 1 wins by Kevin Shea.

Year Race Country Horse Trainer Jockey
1982 Summer Cup   Have A Fling Buller Benton Kevin Shea
2001 Champions Cup   Ingleside Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2001 Summer Cup   Ingleside Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2002 Paddock Stakes   Escoleta Fitz Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2002 Cape Guineas   Flight Alert Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2002 Woolavington Cup   Ipi Tombe Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2002 Durban July   Ipi Tombe Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2002 Garden Province Stakes   Escoleta Fitz Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2003 Cape Guineas   Domino Man Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2003 Dubai Duty Free   Ipi Tombe Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2003 Summer Cup   Wolf Whistle Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2003 Cape Fillies Guineas   Emerald Beauty Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2004 SA Classic   Greys Inn Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2004 Daily News   Grand Emporium Weiho Marwing Kevin Shea
2006 Horse Chestnut 1600   Ilha Da Vitoria Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2008 Sheema Classic   Sun Classique Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2008 QEII Cup   Archipenko Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2008 Vodacom Durban July   Dancer's Daughter (DH) Justin Snaith Kevin Shea
2008 Premiers Champion Stakes   Rocks Off Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2008 Summer Cup   Rudra Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2008 Hong Kong Cup   Eagle Mountain Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2009 Woolavington Stakes   Zirconeum Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2010 SA Derby   Irish Flame Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2010 Singapore Cup   Lizard's Desire Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2010 Daily News   Irish Flame Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2010 Canon Gold Cup   Ancestral Fore Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2010 Golden Slipper   Mahbooba Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2011 Thekwini Stakes   Amanee Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2012 Jebel Hatta   Masterofhounds (USA) Mike de Kock Kevin Shea
2012 Golden Horse Medallion   Rocket Let Win Dennis Drier Kevin Shea
2013 Golden Horseshoe   Forest Indigo Alec Laird Kevin Shea
2014 Cape Flying Championship   Via Africa Duncan Howells Kevin Shea
2014 SA Fillies Classic   Athina Joe Soma Kevin Shea
2014 SA Fillies Sprint   Via Africa Duncan Howells Kevin Shea
2014 Thekwini Stakes   Same Jurisdiction Duncan Howells Kevin Shea

References

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  1. ^ "The Sun Always Shines On GTV!". Sporting Post. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Kevin Shea Retires". Sporting Post. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Top jockey Kevin Shea calls time on career > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily". www.thoroughbrednews.com.au. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Buller Benton (81) dies". tabnews.co.za. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  5. ^ "INTERNATIONAL JOCKEYS' CHALLENGE : Team Announced". Summerhill Stud. Retrieved 1 October 2008.