Matthew A. McGee

Matt McGee
Occupation	Jockey
Born	December 1890 Covington, Kentucky, USA
Died	October 28, 1949 (aged 58) Kenton, Kentucky, USA
Major racing wins
Live Oak Selling Stakes (1906) Clark Handicap (1909) Mermaid Stakes (1910) Metropolitan Handicap (1910) Tidal Stakes (1910) Withers Stakes (1910) Juarez Derby (1911) Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (1913) Prix de Diane (1920) English Triple Crown wins: Epsom Derby (1914)
Significant horses
Durbar, Fashion Plate, Round The World

Matthew A. McGee (December 1890 - October 28, 1949)[1] was an American jockey born and raised in Covington, Kentucky who rode Durbar to victory in the 1914 Epsom Derby, England's most prestigious race,[2] for Herman B. Duryea. Based in France his other winners for Duryea included the 1913 French 1000 Guineas (the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches) on Banshee.[3] Afterwards he rode for several years for Baron Edouard de Rothschild up to 1927.[4]

Note that his name is frequently misspelled as "MacGee" in European records, including the Media Guide for the Epsom Derby[5] and on a 1923 sports card.[6] His temporary licenses to ride in England were issued in the name of "Matthew A MacGee" and later "Mathew A MacGee".[7]

References

1. His death certificate (Commonwealth of Kentucky, coronary thrombosis) lists his date of birth as 16 December 1891 and his name as Mathew A McGee. His social security application (SSN 324224445) gives the same date but name of Matt Aloysius McGee
2. Kenton County (Kentucky) Public Library, April 8, 2014 comprehensive article with photos titled "100 Years Ago, Latonia Jockey Reached Horse Racing’s Pinnacle"
3. The Scotsman, 19 May 1913, p.9
4. Dundee Evening Telegraph, 1 June 1927, p.1
5. [1] Epsom Derby Festival 2017 Media Guide
6. [2] Godfrey Phillips Cigarette Card - Derby Winners & Jockeys (series of 25 issued in 1923)
7. The Racing Calendar for the year 1912: races past, London, 1912, and subsequent volumes up to 1924