# Kevin Shea (jockey)

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 | 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 |