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**The Incredible Tale of the Jockey Who Won a Race While Dead**
June 4, 1923—a day marked by one of the most bizarre and eerie moments in horse racing history. Jockey Frank Hayes, mounted on his horse Sweet Kiss, crossed the finish line as the unlikely winner of a steeplechase at Belmont Park. But what made this victory extraordinary wasn't the race itself—it was that Hayes had died mid-race, likely due to a heart attack, yet somehow stayed upright in the saddle until the very end.
Hayes had been trying to rapidly shed weight to meet the jockey requirements, a stressful task that may have contributed to his untimely death. Officials only discovered that he had passed away after the race concluded, leaving the crowd stunned.
Frank Hayes remains the *only* jockey to win a race posthumously. The horse, Sweet Kiss, earned the ominous nickname "The Sweet Kiss of Death" and never raced again. Some said no jockey dared to ride the horse after that chilling day.
It’s a tale that captures both the dedication and the risks of this high-stakes sport, and one that continues to fascinate racing enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
#JockeyMystery #StrangeButTrue #RaceToRemember #HorseRacingHistory
June 4, 1923—a day marked by one of the most bizarre and eerie moments in horse racing history. Jockey Frank Hayes, mounted on his horse Sweet Kiss, crossed the finish line as the unlikely winner of a steeplechase at Belmont Park. But what made this victory extraordinary wasn't the race itself—it was that Hayes had died mid-race, likely due to a heart attack, yet somehow stayed upright in the saddle until the very end.
Hayes had been trying to rapidly shed weight to meet the jockey requirements, a stressful task that may have contributed to his untimely death. Officials only discovered that he had passed away after the race concluded, leaving the crowd stunned.
Frank Hayes remains the *only* jockey to win a race posthumously. The horse, Sweet Kiss, earned the ominous nickname "The Sweet Kiss of Death" and never raced again. Some said no jockey dared to ride the horse after that chilling day.
It’s a tale that captures both the dedication and the risks of this high-stakes sport, and one that continues to fascinate racing enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
#JockeyMystery #StrangeButTrue #RaceToRemember #HorseRacingHistory
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Thank you for posting that.
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it was that Hayes had died mid-race,
Most likely the latter part given it was a 'steeplechase'  |
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walofs
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Hands up, who thought when they saw a thread started by koikeeper that this must be an old one that Rico had brought back up?
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I've just had a listen back to the original commentary, the commentator said the jockey was sat there motionless, didn't move a muscle. Horse won easily despite there being plenty of dead weight in the saddle.
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Stiff finish at that track.
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I remember reading this true story a while ago but the question remains how did he weigh in?
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He didn't. Stewards made an exception.
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lying down?
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he couldn't weigh in due to having a coffin fit.
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I remember reading this true story a while ago but the question remains how did he weigh in?
It's from where we get the expression "swinging the lead" |
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Winning distance market was 1.5 / 2.5 lengths.
Under takers won. |
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Never a truer word... a sack of spuds better than all goong today imv ..
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GEORGE.B21 Oct 24 23:12
I've just had a listen back to the original commentary, the commentator said the jockey was sat there motionless, didn't move a muscle. Horse won easily despite there being plenty of dead weight in the saddle. Just pished maself laughing. |
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Thanks acey. My pun was indeed hilarious.
.... Under takers won |