Pat Kearney

Pat Kearney is the TOBA February Member of the Month.

It’s rare, but not unheard of, for brand-new horsemen to experience instant success. Fred Hooper’s first-ever purchase was Hoop, Jr., who went on to capture the 1945 Kentucky Derby. The first racehorse bought by September 2020 TOBA Member of the Month Scott Heider and his father turned out to be future California champion Answer Do. Now, 83-year-old Pat Kearney has struck gold with stakes winner Kathleen O., whose black-type victory came less than a year after the owner entered the game.

A $275,000 purchase at the April 2021 OBS Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training by trainer Shug McGaughey, Kathleen O. kicked off 2022 in fine style. The sophomore filly, who races for Kearney’s Winngate Stables, romped by 8 1/2 lengths in the Jan. 1 Cash Run Stakes.

Kathleen O.’s third dam is four-time stakes producer Pretty ‘n Smart, whose three graded stakes winners include 2017 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (G1) victor Cupid. Like Cupid, himself a son of Tapit and great-grandson of A.P. Indy, Kathleen O. is a daughter of Upstart, a paternal grandson of A.P. Indy.

Kearney and his wife Kathy split their time between Surfside, Florida, and Winnetka, Illinois, near Chicago. He first fell in love with the sport the summer after graduating high school, when he worked construction before entering the University of Notre Dame. Though Kearney only lasted a short time in the job, he eventually spent time with his dad in the latter’s Arlington Park box. “In the first couple of weeks after my construction situation […] I went out there,” he said. “And again, I’m not a handicapper, but I got hot and won as much money as I did working that construction for eight weeks.” He remained a casual fan after serving in the Army, becoming a lawyer, and entering the securities business; mostly retiring in 1995, he retained an interest in a flavors and extracts company until 2011.

Kearney and McGaughey have played golf together for two decades. “I was thinking, because I wanted to get involved in something that was exciting,” mused Kearney, “that I could partake in without having to have a lot of obligations timewise, more than anything else.” He was hesitant at first, admitting, “I figured I was imposing on him because he’s a Hall of Fame trainer and he’s got a very active clientele.”

However, McGaughey embraced the project and scouted auctions for prospects. McGaughey bought both of Kearney’s horses, Kathleen O. and Cloudy, at OBS April. The latter colt, a gray son of Noble Mission out of a daughter of champion Intercontinental, sold for $130,000. He finished off the board twice last fall at Churchill Downs and is currently recouping from bone bruises. He has no plans to expand his stable at this time, but praised McGaughey and TOBA for helping him smoothly make the transition from fan to owner.

But it’s Kathleen O., named for Kathy Kearney (née O’Boyle), who has become the stable star. Last fall at Aqueduct, she won first time out by a head. The maiden special weight took place on Nov. 12, Kathleen’s birthday, and the filly started from post seven; Kathleen’s father played football at Notre Dame, and his number was—what else?—seven. The stars aligned for her maiden win. Kearney recalled, “To say I was shocked was a real understatement. I was very pleasantly surprised, but I thought this was great.”

When his children and grandchildren came to Florida to visit this Christmas, Kearney had a surprise: the news of his equine venture. But even more joy was in store, as the family was able to be together for the Cash Run win. Of his grandkids, Kearney shared that he was sure “they have never been to the racetrack before. And going to watch their grandfather’s horse win and be in the winner’s circle, if somebody tried to write a script about the experience that I’ve had with these horses, nobody would read it or use it because it’s not within the realm of understanding or possibility.”

While he would hardly be averse to seeing Kathleen O. compete in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Kearney is thrilled with the heights he’s already reached. “I’ve had more than my share of except in this endeavor,” he said, “and it’s just been great.” He added, “I’m so satisfied and happy right now. If this all came to an end today, I’d say, ‘Gosh, that was a super experience.’”