The Jockey Who Won the Race While Dead in the Saddle
In 1923, a steeplechase at Belmont Park in New York produced one of the most unexpected outcomes in horse racing history. Frank Hayes, a little-known apprentice jockey, guided his horse, Sweet Kiss, across the finish line ahead of the field.
Just moments later, he collapsed and died in the saddle. Spectators and people in charge quickly realized he had suffered a fatal heart attack during the race. Despite his passing, officials allowed the result to stand, which made Hayes the only jockey ever recorded to win a race posthumously.
The Opportunity to Race
Image via Getty Images/Michael Jung
Frank Hayes worked with horses as a stable hand and part-time trainer. He had spent years in the background, preparing horses for others to ride. He had always wanted to be a jockey, but no one had given him a serious opportunity. That changed when a horse named Sweet Kiss needed a rider for a race at Belmont Park. Hayes had trained her and knew her well. Though she was not considered a strong competitor, her owner allowed Hayes to ride her.
This was a break he never expected to get. Most people at the track didn’t know his name, and those who did saw him as a long shot.
The Weight Requirement Pushed Him Past His Limits
At the time, weight requirements for jockeys were strictly enforced. Hayes weighed 142 pounds, which was too heavy to qualify. He needed to drop 12 pounds to meet the 130-pound limit, and he had very little time. In the 24 hours before the event, he ran long distances, skipped meals, and completely avoided drinking water. Reports said he continued pushing himself through that morning.
By the time he arrived at the track, he was physically depleted. His friends and family had worried about his heart condition for years. His mother had spoken openly about her concerns and had feared something like this might happen.
Doctors later confirmed he had a weak heart. The stress of rapid weight loss, paired with race-day pressure, put his body under extreme strain. It was a serious gamble with his health, and he likely knew it. Still, the chance to compete pushed him forward.
The Horse Outsprinted the Favorite to Win
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Sweet Kiss had not attracted much attention before the race. Most of the betting focused on a different horse, Gimme, who came in as the favorite. As the two-mile steeplechase began, spectators noticed the horse holding steady, then gaining ground late in the race.
On the final stretch, Sweet Kiss surged forward and passed Gimme. As she crossed the finish line ahead by a full length and a half, the crowd responded with surprise. Hayes appeared to shift slightly in the saddle as they crossed. Some thought he was reacting to the win, but then he slumped.
The track doctor rushed to him immediately and found no signs of life. Hayes had died during the final phase of the event. He had managed to stay mounted, even after his body failed. And while the horse won, the jockey on her back was already gone.