Gay Kindersley
Gay Kindersley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 June 1930 |
| Died | 21 April 2011 (aged 80) |
| Occupation(s) | Amateur jump jockey, horse trainer |
| Known for | Amateur jump jockey champion, horse training |
Gay Kindersley (2 June 1930 – 21 April 2011) was a distinguished British amateur jump jockey, horse trainer, and was widely recognized for his reputation as a drinker, gambler, and habitual womaniser.
Early life
Gay Kindersley was the son of the Hon. Philip Kindersley and Oonagh Guinness, and the grandson of Robert Kindersley, 1st Baron Kindersley. He received his education at Eton College and briefly attended Christ Church, Oxford.
Career
Following his departure from Oxford, Kindersley served with the 7th Queen's Own Hussars stationed in Germany. At the age of 21, he took on work as an oil rig roughneck in Canada and participated in the Calgary Stampede rodeo before returning to Britain to focus on amateur jump jockeying. During the 1959–60 season, he secured the amateur jockeys' championship by achieving 22 wins from 100 rides, predominantly on horses he owned.
Although he endured two significant back injuries in 1955 and 1962, he persisted in riding despite medical warnings. He retired from National Hunt racing in 1965 and ceased flat racing by 1969. Subsequently, he embarked on training racehorses at East Garston, with ambitions to claim victory in the Grand National. His horse Earthstopper placed fifth in the 1984 Grand National but unfortunately collapsed after completing the race.
Kindersley married twice: first in 1956 to Margaret "Magsie" Diana, daughter of actor Hugh Wakefield, with whom he had four children—two sons and two daughters—including novelist Tania Kindersley. His second marriage was to Philippa Harper in 1976, and they had two sons together.
His social acquaintances encompassed prominent personalities such as Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Peter O'Toole, Albert Finney, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and Lord Oaksey. He also maintained relationships with figures like Ann, Marchioness of Queensberry and zither player Shirley Abicair. Throughout his life, he openly admitted to a consistent pattern of infidelity.
A notable instance reflecting his frank character occurred during a 1985 luncheon at London's Savoy Hotel for the Australia national cricket team, where he introduced himself and his guest Graham Lord by saying, "Hallo, folks, I'm Gay and this is my friend Graham," eliciting laughter from the assembled cricketers.
Kindersley passed away on 21 April 2011 at the age of 80. He was survived by six children from his two marriages as well as both of his wives.