Kenneth A. “Kenny” Field, a successful steeplechase jockey in the 1950s and among the leading flat and steeplechase trainers in the following decades, died Saturday, Nov. 20, in Delray Beach, Florida. He was 79.
Born in Toronto, Canada, he moved to Virginia and then Maryland. He was licensed as a jockey in 1948 and rode for some of the most prestigious steeplechase stables, including those of Mrs. Ogden Phipps and Pete Bostwick.
He retired from riding after the 1960 season and began his career training for Trillora Stables and Merryland Farm for Barbara Guggenheim Obre and for her son Michael Wettach.
He rode Coup-de-Vite to victories in the 1957 Monmouth County Hunt Cup, 1957 New Jersey Hunt Cup and 1958 Virginia Gold Cup, and he trained Mrs. Obre’s Hustle, winner of the International Gold Cup at the Rolling Rock Races in 1962 and 1963.
His other stakes winners as a trainer included Hunter’s Rock, Call the Witness, Lucky Turn and Road At Sea.
After retiring from training, he moved to Florida in 1985 and pursued a career in real estate development. He is survived by his wife, Berkeley de Murguiondo Field, and two daughters, Cassandra Field and Josephine Field.