Michael
Field´s dog qualified at Limerick and was set-up for a gamble on his debut. He missed his
break but came through to challenge before being fought. In his following trial, he broke
a metacarpal bone in a foot and rated unlikely to race again. Ten months later he returned
to the track and after a couple of trials he was entered in the Austin Stack at Tralee.
Though inexperienced, Jack won a heat and eventually qualified for the decider. He found
first bend trouble and finished down the track behind Lodge Prince´s litter brother
Whitefield Boy.
He then headed to Tralee and Cork for the Byrne Memorial and Irish Laurels. He reached the
semis of both but won the Laurels consolation.
Jack returned to Tralee for the Harp Lager Stake. He won his first round heat in 29.32,
but was beaten in the semis and final by the useful Spargo, who clocked 29.08 in the
decider.
At that stage with the Irish Derby imminent, the early paced fawn picked up a kennel
cough. After much debate the Field family decided to give the dog his chance.
Kyle Jack´s consistency was the hallmark of his Irish Derby form. He reached the final
unbeaten. He won his first round in 30.51 with a victory over Whiskey Pond. Then followed
two wins in 30.66 and 30.58 over Burnpark Pat and a semi final victory over Margaos
Express in 30.53. In each case it was a case of trapped and gone.
Doubts about a shoulder injury and the 48 spots he had to find on Tico´s semi-final form
saw Jack go off at 8-1.
At the off, Kyle Jack rocketed clear and in the tradition of making every post a winning
post, Kyle Jack held off Murlens Slippy by three lengths in 30.41. It was his 13th win in
23 races and he was immediately retired.
Kyle Jack produced one litter in
December 1986, the rest are 1987 whelps and later. He has made good progress in the NGRC
sires charts and is already a top ten stud dog. He could still make top five as he is
unlikely to peak until 93/94. His career certainly received a boost with Ballinderry
Ash´s Mirror Life Derby win and should also have benefitted from the not too distantly
related Farloe Melody´s achievements.
Kyle Jack´s offspring come in all shapes and sizes with different distance preferences.
You can find all types from exceptional sprinters through to TV Trophy winners, he
had two in the 1992 decider. |
