Kevin Shea (jockey)


Kevin Shea 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.
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.

Early life

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

Early career

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

South Africa
He is a two-time winner of the Vodacom Durban July. 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 in 1982, while still an apprentice, on board the filly 'Have A Fling' for trainer Buller Benton.
International
Shea has ridden winners in UAE, Hong Kong, Mauritius and Singapore. His list of international feature wins include the Dubai Duty Free, Sheema Classic, QEII Cup, Hong Kong Cup, Singapore Cup and Jebel Hatta.

South African Colours

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

Feature Winners

Here is a list of Grade 1 wins by Kevin Shea.
YearRaceCountryHorseTrainerJockey
1982Summer CupHave A FlingBuller BentonKevin Shea
2001Champions CupInglesideMike de KockKevin Shea
2001Summer CupInglesideMike de KockKevin Shea
2002Paddock StakesEscoleta FitzMike de KockKevin Shea
2002Cape GuineasFlight AlertMike de KockKevin Shea
2002Woolavington CupIpi TombeMike de KockKevin Shea
2002Durban JulyIpi TombeMike de KockKevin Shea
2002Garden Province StakesEscoleta FitzMike de KockKevin Shea
2003Cape GuineasDomino ManMike de KockKevin Shea
2003Dubai Duty FreeIpi TombeMike de KockKevin Shea
2003Summer CupWolf WhistleMike de KockKevin Shea
2003Cape Fillies GuineasEmerald BeautyMike de KockKevin Shea
2004SA ClassicGreys InnMike de KockKevin Shea
2006Horse Chestnut 1600Ilha Da VitoriaMike de KockKevin Shea
2008Sheema ClassicSun ClassiqueMike de KockKevin Shea
2008QEII CupArchipenkoMike de KockKevin Shea
2008Premiers Champion StakesRocks OffMike de KockKevin Shea
2008Summer CupRudraMike de KockKevin Shea
2008Hong Kong CupEagle MountainMike de KockKevin Shea
2009Woolavington StakesZirconeumMike de KockKevin Shea
2010SA DerbyIrish FlameMike de KockKevin Shea
2010Singapore CupLizard's DesireMike de KockKevin Shea
2010Daily NewsIrish FlameMike de KockKevin Shea
2010Golden SlipperMahboobaMike de KockKevin Shea
2010Canon Gold CupAncestral ForeMike de KockKevin Shea
2011Thekwini StakesAmaneeMike de KockKevin Shea
2012Jebel HattaMasterofhounds Mike de KockKevin Shea