In an unparalleled moment in horse racing history, jockey Frank Hayes secured victory at Belmont Park in 1923 aboard Sweet Kiss, only to be found dead in the saddle after crossing the finish line, marking the sport’s only posthumous win.
Horse racing is a sport steeped in tradition, heroism, and the unpredictable dance between human and animal. Yet, few stories in its long history are as hauntingly unique and truly bizarre as that of Frank Hayes and his horse, Sweet Kiss, at Belmont Park in 1923. It’s a tale that transcends mere competition, evolving into a poignant legend of ambition, extreme sacrifice, and an accidental triumph that made Hayes the only jockey ever to win a race after death.
For fans and historians alike, Hayes’s story isn’t just a footnote; it’s a stark reminder of the immense physical and mental pressures placed upon jockeys. It highlights the lengths individuals would go to for a chance at glory, even when battling unseen personal struggles.
An Unlikely Opportunity for a Dedicated Horseman
Before his fateful ride, Frank Hayes was not a celebrated jockey. He spent his years primarily as a stable hand and part-time trainer, working tirelessly with horses but always dreaming of riding them in a competitive race. Despite his deep passion, a serious opportunity to compete as a jockey had eluded the then 22-year-old. His moment finally arrived when the relatively unknown horse, Sweet Kiss, needed a rider for a steeplechase at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
Hayes knew Sweet Kiss well, having trained her. Although she wasn’t considered a strong contender, her owner, Miss A. M. F. Redmond, recognized Hayes’s connection with the horse and granted him the ride. This was his big break, a chance to prove himself on a professional stage, even if most at the track saw him and his mount as extreme long shots.
The Grueling Pre-Race Ordeal
The path to the starting gate was fraught with personal peril for Hayes. Steeplechase racing, like flat racing, imposes strict weight requirements on jockeys. Hayes, at 142 pounds, was 12 pounds over the 130-pound limit for the race. With very little time before the event, he embarked on a drastic and dangerous weight-cutting regimen.
In the 24 hours leading up to the race, Hayes pushed his body to its absolute limits. He reportedly ran long distances, abstained entirely from food, and crucially, avoided all water. This extreme dehydration and physical exertion were a serious gamble with his health, especially given his pre-existing medical condition.
Friends and family had long been aware of Hayes’s weak heart, with his mother reportedly expressing concerns that such an intense physical challenge could prove fatal. By the time he arrived at Belmont Park, Hayes was severely depleted, a fact later confirmed by doctors who attributed his death to the immense strain placed on his cardiovascular system by the rapid weight loss and the adrenaline of the race itself, as reported by CNN.
A Tragic Triumph at Belmont Park
As the two-mile steeplechase began, few had their eyes on Sweet Kiss or Frank Hayes. The betting favorite, a horse named Gimme, garnered most of the attention. However, as the race unfolded, spectators watched in surprise as Sweet Kiss, guided by Hayes, held steady and then began to gain ground.
In the final stretch, in a remarkable burst of speed, Sweet Kiss surged past Gimme, crossing the finish line a length and a half ahead of the field. The crowd erupted in surprised cheers. Hayes appeared to shift slightly in the saddle—a movement many initially mistook for a reaction to his unexpected victory. But then, he slumped.
The track doctor, rushing to his side, found no signs of life. Frank Hayes had suffered a fatal heart attack during the final moments of the race, likely just as Sweet Kiss made her winning move. Yet, his body remained in the saddle, upright enough to legally complete the race. Because he was still mounted when Sweet Kiss crossed the finish line, officials, after deliberation, allowed the win to stand, making Frank Hayes the only jockey in history to win a race posthumously.
The Enduring Legacy of the “Dead Man Win”
The immediate aftermath of the race was a mix of shock and disbelief. News of the “dead man win” quickly spread, turning a local steeplechase into a national sensation. The story, tragic as it was, became etched into the annals of horse racing lore. Sweet Kiss, the horse who carried her lifeless rider to victory, was reportedly given the nickname “Sweet Kiss of Death” for a time, though this somber moniker did not stick. She never raced again and was retired shortly after the event, sold to a new owner.
Frank Hayes’s incredible and tragic victory serves as a powerful, albeit morbid, testament to the spirit of competition and the unforeseen dangers inherent in horse racing. It’s a tale that continues to fascinate and inspire reflection on the sacrifices made by athletes in pursuit of their dreams. The incident led to no immediate rule changes regarding the passing of a jockey during a race, simply because such an extraordinary event had never occurred before and has not been replicated since. It remains a singular, indelible moment in sports history, cementing Frank Hayes’s place as racing’s most legendary “ghost rider,” a fact often highlighted in historical racing accounts such as those found in The New York Times archives.
