Tony Keen
Anthony Cyril Keen rode 43 winners during a career that started at Ludlow on September 28, 1950, when, on his first ride in public, he steered the five-year-old Rum Chicken, trained by Major Edward Champneys at Lambourn, to a length and a half victory in the Leominster Handicap Hurdle.
Anthony Cyril Keen rode 43 winners during a career that started at Ludlow on September 28, 1950, when, on his first ride in public, he steered the five-year-old Rum Chicken, trained by Major Edward Champneys at Lambourn, to a length and a half victory in the Leominster Handicap Hurdle.
Tony had two more wins before the season ended, both on Rum Chicken. The first was at Towcester on November 11, when the pair were beaten half a length by Sid Barnes on Allen’s Bridge. Tony objected to the winner on the grounds of missing a fence. The objection was sustained. The stewards asked Sid Barnes why he had continued in the race after his mount had run out and not jumped the fence. He was “severely cautioned and directed to make himself conversant with the rules”.
Tony had two more wins before the season ended, both on Rum Chicken. The first was at Towcester on November 11, when the pair were beaten half a length by Sid Barnes on Allen’s Bridge. Tony objected to the winner on the grounds of missing a fence. The objection was sustained. The stewards asked Sid Barnes why he had continued in the race after his mount had run out and not jumped the fence. He was “severely cautioned and directed to make himself conversant with the rules”.
Tony did not hold a licence for at least part of the next two years – it is likely that he was completing his National Service – but resumed riding winners in February 1954. Besides riding for Major Champneys, he also rode for Alec Kilpatrick at Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire.
Tony did not hold a licence for at least part of the next two years – it is likely that he was completing his National Service – but resumed riding winners in February 1954. Besides riding for Major Champneys, he also rode for Alec Kilpatrick at Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire.
His best season was undoubtedly his last, 1959//60 in which he had 16 wins (and was second 23 times), although he never rode more than one winner in a day throughout his career.
His best season was undoubtedly his last, 1959//60 in which he had 16 wins (and was second 23 times), although he never rode more than one winner in a day throughout his career.
He had his sole success at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting on Isle Of Skye in the 1960 National Hunt Chase, winning by a length following a prolonged duel with Brian Lawrence on Bob Tailed ’Un. He finished second in the 1959 King George VI Chase, beaten a head by Gerry Madden on Mandarin, and was fourth on Fearless Cavalier in the 1960 Whitbread Gold Cup.
He had his sole success at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting on Isle Of Skye in the 1960 National Hunt Chase, winning by a length following a prolonged duel with Brian Lawrence on Bob Tailed ’Un. He finished second in the 1959 King George VI Chase, beaten a head by Gerry Madden on Mandarin, and was fourth on Fearless Cavalier in the 1960 Whitbread Gold Cup.
His other big race rides did not go so well. He rode Henry Purcell in the 1959 Grand National, falling at Becher’s first time, while Isle Of Skye followed his Cheltenham triumph by unseating Tony in Sandown’s Open Handicap Chase and then falling, when sent off the 9-2 favourite, in the Welsh Grand National.
His other big race rides did not go so well. He rode Henry Purcell in the 1959 Grand National, falling at Becher’s first time, while Isle Of Skye followed his Cheltenham triumph by unseating Tony in Sandown’s Open Handicap Chase and then falling, when sent off the 9-2 favourite, in the Welsh Grand National.
He rode his last winner on Wild Magic in the County Handicap Chase at Ludlow on April 28, 1960. He had what proved to be his final ride when Prudent Storm finished second, beaten a length, in the Dean Prior Selling Handicap Hurdle at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, June 6.
He rode his last winner on Wild Magic in the County Handicap Chase at Ludlow on April 28, 1960. He had what proved to be his final ride when Prudent Storm finished second, beaten a length, in the Dean Prior Selling Handicap Hurdle at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, June 6.
Later that month Tony Keen was killed in a car accident at Brackley, Northamptonshire on Sunday morning, June 26, 1960. He was 26.
Later that month Tony Keen was killed in a car accident at Brackley, Northamptonshire on Sunday morning, June 26, 1960. He was 26.