'He was like a father figure to me' - Chris Hayes remembers his former boss Kevin Prendergast

Chris Hayes has paid tribute to his former boss Kevin Prendergast, describing him as the true meaning of the term 'legend' as he reflected on a hugely successful partnership which began 22 years ago and carried on right up until the revered trainer's death at the age of 92 on Friday.

Prendergast saddled more than 2,000 winners – of which Hayes rode 169 – in a career spanning 60 years, with his first winner coming at Phoenix Park in May 1963. From his Friarstown base on the Curragh he sent out the winner of eight Irish Classics, the last of which, Awtaad in the 2016 Irish 2,000 Guineas, was ridden by Hayes, and one British Classic, with Nebbiolo in the 1977 2,000 Guineas under Gabriel Curran.

Hayes, who is now stable jockey to one of Prendergast's great friends Dermot Weld, started with Prendergast in 2003 after graduating from the pony circuit and the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE).

Under Prendergast's guidance, he rocketed on to the scene, being crowned champion apprentice three years in a row between 2005 and 2007.

"I started off with him and he was very good to me," said Hayes. "However many jobs I've been in or different trainers I've ridden for, I've always ended up going into him on a Thursday or a Saturday and he was always very good to me. We developed a good relationship and a good bond.

"I started with him in November 2003 from RACE and signed on with him the following June. Without a doubt, he's been one of the biggest influences on my career and I wouldn't be where I am today without him at the start and I definitely wouldn't have got the jobs I got. Everything I've done in racing has stemmed from the leg-up he gave me."

La Collina: Chris Hayes's first top-flight winnerCredit: Patrick McCann

Hayes partnered 18 stakes winners for Prendergast, including top-level victories on La Collina in the Matron Stakes in 2013 and Awtaad in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Those victories and Madhmoon's agonising half-length defeat by Anthony Van Dyck in the 2019 Derby are the memories that came flooding back to him once he heard the news.

"La Collina was the first Group 1 winner, so that was special, and the reception he got after Awtaad's Irish Guineas was incredible. Those two and the heartbreak of the Derby with Madhmoon were the memories that stand out.

"We had some great days and some bad days but we always remained close. I was due to go into him on Saturday to sit up on a couple as a he had couple of two-year-olds who were close to starting; I rode for him last Friday."

"I've said it a few times to people since the news came out the term 'legend' gets thrown around very loosely in this day and age, but it's probably the only way to describe him. I don't think you could talk about him without using that word. He was like a father or grandfather figure to me – it's hard to describe."

Prendergast will lie in repose at McWeys Funeral Home, Abbeyview, Kildare Town on Monday June 23 from 4pm concluding with rosary at 7pm. He will be removed on Tuesday morning to arrive at St. Conleth's Parish Church, Newbridge for requiem mass at 11am, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin at 1.45pm.

Funeral mass and cremation service will be live streamed and can be viewed through the webstream links below.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired to the Injured Jockey Fund, donations can be made through the link below.

https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/KP83411655/donate.html

Kevin Prendergast 1932-2025:

'A legend of his lifetime' - trainer Kevin Prendergast dies at the age of 92 

Obituary: an era in Irish racing ends with the death of Curragh legend Kevin Prendergast