Kevin Shea

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.

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 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).

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 (2003,2012).

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.

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