Michael Kinane

Michael Kinane

Michael J. Kinane (born 22 June 1959 at Killenaule in County Tipperary, Ireland) is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.

His father, Tommy Kinane, was a leading National Hunt jockey who won the Champion Hurdle on Monksfield. A prolific winner of the Irish, English and French Classic races over two decades, Kinane has ridden winners in the 2,000 Guineas four times, the Epsom Derby three times, the Melbourne Cup in Australia and, in the United States, the Belmont Stakes once. Kinane also has four wins in Breeders' Cup races. He has been champion jockey of Ireland on 13 occasions.

He first came to prominence as the stable jockey to Dermot Weld and later was retained by John Magnier and Aidan O'Brien as stable jockey at Ballydoyle for many years. He was later with leading Irish flat trainer John Oxx. He became one of the world's elite jockeys and excelled on the big occasions at Longchamp and Epsom, and was regarded as one of the leading professionals of his sport.

He retired at the end of 2009, a season which was highlighted by his association with Sea The Stars.

He also bred the 2007 Epsom Derby winner Authorized.