Keith Daniels
Born circa 1953, Keith Roy Daniels served his apprenticeship with Brian Swift at Epsom. He was in high demand during the early 1970s, particularly in apprentice races, which accounted for a good proportion of the 18 winners he rode during his career.
Born circa 1953, Keith Roy Daniels served his apprenticeship with Brian Swift at Epsom. He was in high demand during the early 1970s, particularly in apprentice races, which accounted for a good proportion of the 18 winners he rode during his career.
He registered his first success on Robinski for Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis in an apprentice handicap at Ripon on April 21, 1971. He rode three winners from 40 mounts in that season, another of which was on John Benstead’s three-year-old colt Secret Ace in the Guys Cliffe Apprentices’ Handicap at Warwick in October.
He registered his first success on Robinski for Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis in an apprentice handicap at Ripon on April 21, 1971. He rode three winners from 40 mounts in that season, another of which was on John Benstead’s three-year-old colt Secret Ace in the Guys Cliffe Apprentices’ Handicap at Warwick in October.
At least three of Keith’s five winners from 45 rides in 1972 were gained in apprentice races: Black Coffee for Tom Corrie at Wolverhampton and Kettle Hill for Arthur Neaves at Windsor, both in August, and Our Manny for Guy Harwood at Ascot in September.
At least three of Keith’s five winners from 45 rides in 1972 were gained in apprentice races: Black Coffee for Tom Corrie at Wolverhampton and Kettle Hill for Arthur Neaves at Windsor, both in August, and Our Manny for Guy Harwood at Ascot in September.
He partnered four winners from 64 mounts in 1973, three of which came courtesy of Brian Swift’s eight-year-old veteran Bold Strings, landing a handicap at Catterick on March 28; a leg of the Crown Decorators’ Apprentice Championship, also at Catterick, on June 9; and an apprentice race at Wolverhampton on July 9.
He partnered four winners from 64 mounts in 1973, three of which came courtesy of Brian Swift’s eight-year-old veteran Bold Strings, landing a handicap at Catterick on March 28; a leg of the Crown Decorators’ Apprentice Championship, also at Catterick, on June 9; and an apprentice race at Wolverhampton on July 9.
In 1974, Keith recorded a career-best score of six wins from 41 mounts, four them being achieved in the month of April. He kicked off by winning on Brian Swift’s six-year-old Noirmont Boy at Chepstow on April 2. He then recorded a double at Doncaster on April 13, landing a Wills Embassy Stakes qualifier on Neville Callaghan’s two-year-old Kingshott, followed by a two-year-old seller on Swift’s filly Kickback. He won again on Kickback next time out at Brighton on April 30.
In 1974, Keith recorded a career-best score of six wins from 41 mounts, four them being achieved in the month of April. He kicked off by winning on Brian Swift’s six-year-old Noirmont Boy at Chepstow on April 2. He then recorded a double at Doncaster on April 13, landing a Wills Embassy Stakes qualifier on Neville Callaghan’s two-year-old Kingshott, followed by a two-year-old seller on Swift’s filly Kickback. He won again on Kickback next time out at Brighton on April 30.
Despite the bright start, Keith Daniels rode only two more winners all that year, the last of them on John Dunlop’s nine-year-old near namesake Daniel in a round of the Crown Plus Two Apprentice Championship at Newbury on August 17. Sadly, that proved to be the final win of his career. He finished fourth on his last ride of the season, Clown Prince, in a Wolverhampton nursery on November 6.
Despite the bright start, Keith Daniels rode only two more winners all that year, the last of them on John Dunlop’s nine-year-old near namesake Daniel in a round of the Crown Plus Two Apprentice Championship at Newbury on August 17. Sadly, that proved to be the final win of his career. He finished fourth on his last ride of the season, Clown Prince, in a Wolverhampton nursery on November 6.
Keith’s apprenticeship ended in 1975. He rode as a freelance in both 1977 and 1978 but, devoid of his claim, enjoyed no further success from limited opportunities.
Keith’s apprenticeship ended in 1975. He rode as a freelance in both 1977 and 1978 but, devoid of his claim, enjoyed no further success from limited opportunities.
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