How Times Change
Michael Kinane
While many people might not be aware of Michael Kinane, he should be a case study for intercontinental success. With incredible success in the United Kingdom and Ireland, he also won tournaments in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Slovakia and lastly the United States. Having rode well into the later part of the noughties, Kinane won an incredible amount over a two-decade career.
Given that his father Tommy, was a major National Hunt level jockey, it's no surprise that Michael got into the sport to follow in his Champion Hurdle father.
Having had the pleasure of winning the 2000 Guineas four times, the Epsom Derby three times, the Melbourne Cup and also the Belmont Stakes, he's picked up many of the major tournaments out there on the market. With 13 Irish Champion Jockey wins, too, he's easily one of the most decorated riders of his era.
His career even passed into the breeding era, too. As the breeder of the 2007 Epsom Derby winner, Authorized, Kinane has been involved in both wins on the course and in the stable. Having ridden for names such as Dermot Weld, John Magnier, Aidan O'Brien and John Oxx, he was involved with some of the biggest names in the business. With major successes at events such as Longchamp, too, he managed to create a career for himself that was built on variety as much as consistency.
Achievements & Highlights
Major Wins – 2,000 Guineas (1990, 1997, 1998, 2009), Ascot Gold Cup (1996, 2000, 2007), Coronation Cup (2007), Eclipse Stakes (1993, 1997, 2002, 2009), Melbourne Cup (1993), Derby Italiano (1992, 1995), Champions Mile (2007), Japan Cup (1997), Belmont Stakes (1990).
Associations – John Magnier, Aidan O'Brien, Dermot Weld, John Oxx.
Earnings – ?
Goodwood Racecourse
Goodwood is located in West Sussex, England. For a long time now, Goodwood has been hosting some of the most exciting races in the country. One of the most notable race meetings is the Qatar Festival which is one of the race meetings with the finest flat racing. The meeting hosts three out of the thirty two Group One flat races renowned in England for their history and engrossing racing. The three races held here are the Nassau Stakes, Sussex Stakes and the Goodwood Cup.
The racecourse is considered to have one of the most scenic views of the Sussex hills. Spectators have always had a good time watching the sport of Kings from this venue. The venue sits north of Trundle Iron Age hill fort, which has been used by spectators as a grandstand owing to its excellent view of the racecourse. Though the scene is quite
absorbing on a nice summer day, the racecourse can be tough to race at on foggy days due to its closeness to the coast.
The course is used only for flat racing, and is one of the complicated courses in the country. The straight stretches
for six furlongs and is known as the Stewards' Cup Course.' The first furlong of the straight is a climb with the rest of the straight sloping downhill with a sharp corner just at the end of the straight. The Cup Course' is close to the winning post. When it is racing time, horses usually go round the loop running on the outer side of the straight then back. The loop itself is not easy to manoeuvre as there are sharp turns and furrows.
Aside from racing, Goodwood racecourse also hosts a number of events as it doubles up as an entertainment facility. The venue hosts some of the most eclectic music concerts with abundant eating options from the Sussex Bistro to Charlton Hunt, Horsewalk Restaurant, Sussex Roof Garden and the Double Trigger Restaurant.