At the outset here, it will be openly admitted that I feel in no way qualified to pay tribute to Kevin – who passed away today (Friday) at the age of 92. But, such is the status which he and generations of the Prendergast family have commanded within the horse racing world that it would be remiss not to keyboard a few lines of some sort to mark his passing.
Primarily because, regrettably, it would appear there is no next generation to follow in those most venerable of footsteps.
As much as my knowledge of Kevin’s accomplishments is limited at best, it is now an utmost regret that I didn’t take more notes of my late father’s lauding of Kevin’s dad, Paddy ‘Darkie’ Prendergast who, to say the old man here revered, would be an understatement.
However, as is often the case, I can put my own angle on it, if one was to title it thus, with what is known for certain which – after a bit of archive surfing – was slightly more than I was giving myself credit for.
Especially when thought of horses such as Awtaad, Aitmatov, Alhabeeb, Definite Spectacle, Dunboyne Express, Blue Cannon and Jerandme. Five of that septet going on to have careers of varying levels of success as jumpers with Noel Meade.
Poignantly, though, owner Jeremy Harley actually moved the admirable veteran Jerandme from Noel Meade’s back to his original digs in Kevin’s. Presumably in the hope of providing the great man with a final winner.
Alas it didn’t come to pass – the honour of hosting Kevin’s final winner falling to Bellewstown last summer. Fittingly, too, in the colours of the late Lady O’Reilly. For, outside of the Arab operators – specifically Shadwell Estate in Kevin’s case – the black and white hoops, blue cap with white star of Tony and later Lady Chris O’Reilly were among the most prominent silks in the Friarstown yard.
Along with the green and gold silks of Kells native Norman Ormiston and the bright green and blue silks of Mullingar man John Connaughton with which Kevin struck success at the highest level with Dunboyne Express. Named in honour of the fact that the owner is also the custodian of the largest tract of land along which the Dunboyne railway line runs. Unfortunately, the fact that said individual controls the land parcel also means that it, too, will soon be subsumed into their already vast concrete jungle which they have already foisted upon the locality. The tear-jerking reality is that soon there will be no farm land left in the locality at all.
Anyway, I digress. Outside of the horses already mentioned, you think of others like Oscar Schindler, Madhmoon and La Collina, but, for this observer at least, it was as much about the jockeys who passed through Friarstown as the horses.
Now, again, it will be admitted that I can’t go back too far in terms of jockeys either, but, even from what I can recall, to rattle off a list of those associated with the great man is to namecheck a whose who of the Irish racig scene.
From Declan McDonogh to Chris Hayes, Brian Hughes, Bryan Cooper, Padraig Beggy, Christy Geoghegan, Sam James, Gary Halpin and Jessica O’Gorman, to name but a few.
You know, when you think about it, doesn’t it make sense that Kevin and his contemporay Jim Bolger would be as close as was the case.
Hewn from the same generational Mount Rushmore, both renowned ‘guidance councillors’ for bringing young talent through. In Jim’s case, see names like Carberry, McCoy, Fitzgerald, Ronan Whelan, Rory Cleary, Martin Harley and Davy Moran as reference points.
The other thing the pair of eight plus decade legends had in common was an unfortunately less heralded interest in and alacrity at the National Hunt side of the sport. Indeed, it’s known that in alternate years, Friarstown and Coolcullen would be the venue for the pair of them to watch the Cheltenham Festival together.
Neither were strangers to having runners over jumps either. Though I think it’s instructive that Kevin’s final few jumpers were trained by Gordon Elliott. Didn’t it just underline the cross generational appeal of the man and the utmost respect in which he was held within the industry.
It is been learned – yes the hard way – over the years that there are things you will never get around to doing in life due to circumstances beyond your own control.
In my case, meeting Kevin Prendergast will now sadly have to be filed on that shelf. Which is indeed a deep disappointment, not only because of the revered position he will forever occupy the annals of the horse racing world.
Also, however, because he was an avid advocate for and supporter of country customs such as fishing during the summer months and shooting at the back end of the year.
The type of man I would have loved to sit and have a chat with. May he rest in peace.
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