Frank Hayes: Winning with a Death Wish
- Junaidi Saraswati
In the weird and wonderful world of horseracing, Frank Hayes made history with the first and only victory of his life on the horse Sweet Kiss.
For lovers of the sport, every horse race is, in its particular way, exciting and full of adrenaline. However, for the spectators present at Belmont Park in New York on June 4, 1923, things were a little different. Not even the top Asian and European bookmakers of today could see this one coming, let alone the ones from times before the internet. Read on to learn more about the best race of Frank Hayes’s life.
Frank Hayes races for his life
Frank, a 35-year-old competitor, was counting on his horse Sweet Kiss to win the race. When he was the first to cross the finish line, people could hardly believe that Frank had won the first race of his career. Sadly, it was also the last. Surprisingly, as soon as the animal stopped running, the rider fell out of the saddle. According to witnesses, doctor John A. Voorhees rushed to the body and, after examining it, certified death by heart attack.
The early life of this legend
Frank Hayes, born in 1888, immersed himself in the equestrian world from an early age. Before his infamous race, Hayes worked as a horse trainer and stableman, roles that honed his skills and deepened his understanding of horse racing. His dedication to the sport was evident, though he had never won a race before the fateful event at Belmont Park on June 4.
The incident
Even 98 years after the incident, no one knows exactly when Frank died during the race. According to Guinness World Records, the competitor died before the last jump, and, because of the horse’s inertia and movement, he remained in the saddle, even though he was lifeless. For Roda Ferraro, manager of the Keeneland Library, the existence of the photo of the jump is incredible and very rare. “Photographers at the time didn’t specialize in covering hurdles,” he explained in an interview with CNN.
There are still doubts about the cause of Frank’s death. For many, the runner died from the thrill of the race. Other reports indicate heart failure, as he had reduced his weight to 58 kg. At the time, the Buffalo Morning Express reported that Frank had lost 4 kg in 24 hours. According to the publication, “on the morning of the incident, he spent several hours on the road, running to lose weight. He worked hard, sweated, and didn’t even drink water. When he got on the saddle for the race, he was weak and tired”.
Frank Hayes: Winning at the end
After the episode, people recognized Hayes as the only man in horse racing history to win a race posthumously. It is believed that the horse Sweet Kiss never raced again and earned the nickname Sweet Kiss of Death. That was quite the story was it not? Open a betting account via agent if you want to experience the thrill of horse racing, this time, with no fatalities… Hopefully.
Share:
More Posts
