Duncan Keith
1938 - 2014
1938 - 2014
Born in Maryhill, Glasgow on January 6, 1938, Duncan Keith learned the first rudiments of stable-craft by grooming carthorses. He learned to ride at an early age and polished his technique at a riding school when aged 13.
Born in Maryhill, Glasgow on January 6, 1938, Duncan Keith learned the first rudiments of stable-craft by grooming carthorses. He learned to ride at an early age and polished his technique at a riding school when aged 13.
He began his apprenticeship as a 14-year-old at Ted Smyth’s Epsom stables on Epsom in 1953 and had his first ride later that year on African Prince at Hurst Park on October 22, finishing unplaced. He rode his first winner on Zator in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Folkestone on August 9, 1954. The following year he rode The Plumber’s Mate to win the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, the first of many big race successes.
He began his apprenticeship as a 14-year-old at Ted Smyth’s Epsom stables on Epsom in 1953 and had his first ride later that year on African Prince at Hurst Park on October 22, finishing unplaced. He rode his first winner on Zator in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Folkestone on August 9, 1954. The following year he rode The Plumber’s Mate to win the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, the first of many big race successes.
On finishing his apprenticeship in 1959, Duncan was called up for National Service. He joined the Army but was only in for a couple of months, being discharged because they didn’t have any boots to fit him – he only took size 4.
On finishing his apprenticeship in 1959, Duncan was called up for National Service. He joined the Army but was only in for a couple of months, being discharged because they didn’t have any boots to fit him – he only took size 4.
In 1960 he came in for three rides on Prolific, trained by Walter Nightingall, and won each time, including the Queen’s Vase and the Jockey Club Stakes. That led to an invitation to that year’s Washington DC International at Laurel Park in Maryland. Sadly, there was to be no glory there, Prolific finishing a well-beaten ninth.
In 1960 he came in for three rides on Prolific, trained by Walter Nightingall, and won each time, including the Queen’s Vase and the Jockey Club Stakes. That led to an invitation to that year’s Washington DC International at Laurel Park in Maryland. Sadly, there was to be no glory there, Prolific finishing a well-beaten ninth.
The association with Prolific did, though lead to Duncan being appointed stable jockey to Walter Nightingall’s Epsom yard in 1961, a job which lasted until Nightingall’s death in June 1968.
The association with Prolific did, though lead to Duncan being appointed stable jockey to Walter Nightingall’s Epsom yard in 1961, a job which lasted until Nightingall’s death in June 1968.
Duncan was particularly adept at making the running, tactics much favoured by Nightingall, and which brought about a shock result when, in 1961, he made every yard on Sir Winston Churchill’s High Hat to beat the grey wonder filly Petite Etoile in the Aly Khan Memorial Gold Cup at Kempton. Another of Sir Winston’s good horses was Vienna, on which Duncan made all to win a race at Sandown in September 1962 and then dead-heated for third place in that year’s Champion Stakes. When retired to stud, Vienna sired the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Vaguely Noble.
Duncan was particularly adept at making the running, tactics much favoured by Nightingall, and which brought about a shock result when, in 1961, he made every yard on Sir Winston Churchill’s High Hat to beat the grey wonder filly Petite Etoile in the Aly Khan Memorial Gold Cup at Kempton. Another of Sir Winston’s good horses was Vienna, on which Duncan made all to win a race at Sandown in September 1962 and then dead-heated for third place in that year’s Champion Stakes. When retired to stud, Vienna sired the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Vaguely Noble.
Things were going well for Duncan and he looked forward to the 1964 season, his total winners for the previous three years having amounted to 174. He started off well enough with a win on Penny Stall in the Two Thousand Guineas Trial at Kempton, although he ran disappointingly in the Guineas itself.
Things were going well for Duncan and he looked forward to the 1964 season, his total winners for the previous three years having amounted to 174. He started off well enough with a win on Penny Stall in the Two Thousand Guineas Trial at Kempton, although he ran disappointingly in the Guineas itself.
But then came another Nightingall-trained horse, London Melody, who had a history of breaking blood vessels. Duncan rode him on a straight seven-furlong race at Newbury on May 29, 1964. He fell at halfway and brought down two others, leaving Duncan with a pelvis broken in four places and two broken vertebrae, putting him out of action for four months.
But then came another Nightingall-trained horse, London Melody, who had a history of breaking blood vessels. Duncan rode him on a straight seven-furlong race at Newbury on May 29, 1964. He fell at halfway and brought down two others, leaving Duncan with a pelvis broken in four places and two broken vertebrae, putting him out of action for four months.
One of Duncan’s first rides back was on a two-year-old named Niksar, who finished a close third in the Crookham Stakes at Newbury. He ran just once more that season, finishing ninth of 17 in the Horris Hill Stakes over the same course. His first outing at three was an impressive six-length win in Kempton’s Two Thousand Guineas Trial, after which he was aimed for the Guineas itself.
One of Duncan’s first rides back was on a two-year-old named Niksar, who finished a close third in the Crookham Stakes at Newbury. He ran just once more that season, finishing ninth of 17 in the Horris Hill Stakes over the same course. His first outing at three was an impressive six-length win in Kempton’s Two Thousand Guineas Trial, after which he was aimed for the Guineas itself.
In the paddock at Newmarket, on a dismal, rainy afternoon which had turned the ground very soft, Silly Season and Spanish Express, first and second in the Greenham Stakes, particularly caught the eye. Niksar was one of the least attractive and sweated up, although he looked more impressive on his way to the start.
In the paddock at Newmarket, on a dismal, rainy afternoon which had turned the ground very soft, Silly Season and Spanish Express, first and second in the Greenham Stakes, particularly caught the eye. Niksar was one of the least attractive and sweated up, although he looked more impressive on his way to the start.
The field was quickly away and divided into two distinct groups racing on opposite sides of the Rowley Mile. Niksar was soon prominent on the far side and by halfway led by two lengths from Silly Season, who was heading the stands side group. Inside the last two furlongs, Silly Season looked to have drawn level, while the French-trained Present II came to challenge Niksar on the far side. Niksar responded by running on gamely to win by a length from Silly Season, with Present II another length away in third place.
The field was quickly away and divided into two distinct groups racing on opposite sides of the Rowley Mile. Niksar was soon prominent on the far side and by halfway led by two lengths from Silly Season, who was heading the stands side group. Inside the last two furlongs, Silly Season looked to have drawn level, while the French-trained Present II came to challenge Niksar on the far side. Niksar responded by running on gamely to win by a length from Silly Season, with Present II another length away in third place.
That was to be Duncan’s only classic winner. It proved a good afternoon because an hour later he won the Palace House Stakes on Bill Wightman’s Sprinter Runnymede.
That was to be Duncan’s only classic winner. It proved a good afternoon because an hour later he won the Palace House Stakes on Bill Wightman’s Sprinter Runnymede.
But Lady Luck is fickle where racing is concerned and, less than a month after his Guineas triumph, Duncan was sidelined for the rest of the season. Again, the culprit was London Melody. This time he came down after half a mile at Lingfield, uprooting three concrete posts in the process. Duncan broke his left thigh in two places and fractured his left arm. After being discharged from hospital, he attended the Royal Air Force Rehabilitation Centre near Leatherhead, but as regards riding, that was it until 1966.
But Lady Luck is fickle where racing is concerned and, less than a month after his Guineas triumph, Duncan was sidelined for the rest of the season. Again, the culprit was London Melody. This time he came down after half a mile at Lingfield, uprooting three concrete posts in the process. Duncan broke his left thigh in two places and fractured his left arm. After being discharged from hospital, he attended the Royal Air Force Rehabilitation Centre near Leatherhead, but as regards riding, that was it until 1966.
He resumed pretty much where he’d left off, riding I Say to make all in the 1966 Coronation Cup. In 1967 he scored early season victories in the Greenham Stakes on Play High and the City and Suburban Handicap on Hotroy, both trained by Walter Nightingall.
He resumed pretty much where he’d left off, riding I Say to make all in the 1966 Coronation Cup. In 1967 he scored early season victories in the Greenham Stakes on Play High and the City and Suburban Handicap on Hotroy, both trained by Walter Nightingall.
Following Nightingall’s death the following year, Duncan was appointed first jockey to Lambourn trainer Peter Walwyn, where he enjoyed considerable success including, in 1969, the Lowther Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes on Humble Duty, along with Royal Ascot’s Coronation Stakes and Newmarket’s Sun Chariot Stakes on Lucyrowe.
Following Nightingall’s death the following year, Duncan was appointed first jockey to Lambourn trainer Peter Walwyn, where he enjoyed considerable success including, in 1969, the Lowther Stakes and Cheveley Park Stakes on Humble Duty, along with Royal Ascot’s Coronation Stakes and Newmarket’s Sun Chariot Stakes on Lucyrowe.
Duncan was in hospital with thyroid gland trouble and so was unable to ride Humble Duty in the 1970 One Thousand Guineas, which she won in the hands of Lester Piggott. However, Duncan was then reunited with her to win the Coronation Stakes, the Sussex Stakes and the Waterford Crystal Mile. That same season he won the Observer Gold Cup (now called the Vertem Futurity) at Doncaster on Linden Tree. In 1971 he rode Linden Tree to win the Chester Vase and then finished runner-up to Mill Reef on Linden Tree in the Derby.
Duncan was in hospital with thyroid gland trouble and so was unable to ride Humble Duty in the 1970 One Thousand Guineas, which she won in the hands of Lester Piggott. However, Duncan was then reunited with her to win the Coronation Stakes, the Sussex Stakes and the Waterford Crystal Mile. That same season he won the Observer Gold Cup (now called the Vertem Futurity) at Doncaster on Linden Tree. In 1971 he rode Linden Tree to win the Chester Vase and then finished runner-up to Mill Reef on Linden Tree in the Derby.
Also in 1971 he won the Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup on Rock Roi. Indeed, he was unlucky not to have won two Ascot Gold Cups on him. In both 1971 and 1972 he passed the post first. However, on the first occasion the horse was subsequently disqualified on account of a non-normal nutrient being found during a routine dope test. In 1972, Rock Roi was adjudged to have interfered with the runner-up Erimo Hawk and was again disqualified.
Also in 1971 he won the Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup on Rock Roi. Indeed, he was unlucky not to have won two Ascot Gold Cups on him. In both 1971 and 1972 he passed the post first. However, on the first occasion the horse was subsequently disqualified on account of a non-normal nutrient being found during a routine dope test. In 1972, Rock Roi was adjudged to have interfered with the runner-up Erimo Hawk and was again disqualified.
A few weeks after that second disqualification, Duncan was obliged to give up race-riding due to problems with his weight. He had endured a long-running battle with the scales ever since his second bad fall on London Melody and could no longer contain his weight. He went out on a winning note, recording his 656th and final victory on Peter Walwyn’s two-year-old filly Cesarea, his last ride in public, on August 22, 1972 at Folkestone, the course where he had registered his first success eighteen years earlier. He had ridden 185 winners for Walwyn. The up-and-coming Pat Eddery took Duncan’s place as Walwyn’s stable jockey.
A few weeks after that second disqualification, Duncan was obliged to give up race-riding due to problems with his weight. He had endured a long-running battle with the scales ever since his second bad fall on London Melody and could no longer contain his weight. He went out on a winning note, recording his 656th and final victory on Peter Walwyn’s two-year-old filly Cesarea, his last ride in public, on August 22, 1972 at Folkestone, the course where he had registered his first success eighteen years earlier. He had ridden 185 winners for Walwyn. The up-and-coming Pat Eddery took Duncan’s place as Walwyn’s stable jockey.
In 1973 he embarked on a training career, buying half of Les Hall’s a stable yard at Littleton, near Winchester. His first winner in that sphere was Hillandale, ridden by Kipper Lynch, appropriately at Folkestone, on Monday, July 15, 1974. He trained there for six years and enjoyed a fair measure of success. However, the stable was badly affected by a virus in 1978, then, the next year, the Winchester bypass was built, cutting through the gallops he rented.
In 1973 he embarked on a training career, buying half of Les Hall’s a stable yard at Littleton, near Winchester. His first winner in that sphere was Hillandale, ridden by Kipper Lynch, appropriately at Folkestone, on Monday, July 15, 1974. He trained there for six years and enjoyed a fair measure of success. However, the stable was badly affected by a virus in 1978, then, the next year, the Winchester bypass was built, cutting through the gallops he rented.
Subsequently, he flew out to Scandinavia where he set up as a private trainer to one of the leading owners. There his successes included the Norwegian Derby, Guineas and St Leger. Unfortunately, the owner ducked out of paying the trainer his percentage, forcing Duncan to return to England. The owner was eventually made bankrupt by the Norwegian government.
Subsequently, he flew out to Scandinavia where he set up as a private trainer to one of the leading owners. There his successes included the Norwegian Derby, Guineas and St Leger. Unfortunately, the owner ducked out of paying the trainer his percentage, forcing Duncan to return to England. The owner was eventually made bankrupt by the Norwegian government.
Following that short-lived Scandinavian foray, Duncan set up stables north of Sligo and trained there for a brief period.
Following that short-lived Scandinavian foray, Duncan set up stables north of Sligo and trained there for a brief period.
Eventually he finished altogether with racing and took a job as steward cum bar manager at Banstead Athletic Football Club, where he would recall the old days with former Epsom jockeys Geordie Ramshaw and Jock Wilson. Jock was no mean singer in his day and, in 1964, had appeared on a Frankie Vaughan TV show, with Duncan providing the introduction.
Eventually he finished altogether with racing and took a job as steward cum bar manager at Banstead Athletic Football Club, where he would recall the old days with former Epsom jockeys Geordie Ramshaw and Jock Wilson. Jock was no mean singer in his day and, in 1964, had appeared on a Frankie Vaughan TV show, with Duncan providing the introduction.
Duncan Keith died in April 2014, aged 76, his wife Anne having predeceased him the previous year. The funeral took place at Randalls Park Crematorium, Leatherhead on May 1, with donations being made to the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Duncan Keith died in April 2014, aged 76, his wife Anne having predeceased him the previous year. The funeral took place at Randalls Park Crematorium, Leatherhead on May 1, with donations being made to the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Classic winner
Classic winner
1965: Two Thousand Guineas – Niksar
1965: Two Thousand Guineas – Niksar
Other big wins
Other big wins
1955: Wokingham Stakes – The Plumber’s Mate
1955: Wokingham Stakes – The Plumber’s Mate
1960: Queen’s Vase – Prolific
1960: Queen’s Vase – Prolific
1960: Jockey Club Stakes – Prolific
1960: Jockey Club Stakes – Prolific
1960: Cambridgeshire – Midsummer Night II
1960: Cambridgeshire – Midsummer Night II
1961: Ascot Stakes – Angazi
1961: Ascot Stakes – Angazi
1961: Aly Khan Memorial Gold Cup – High Hat
1961: Aly Khan Memorial Gold Cup – High Hat
1961: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Hot Brandy
1961: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Hot Brandy
1963: Solario Stakes – Penny Stall
1963: Solario Stakes – Penny Stall
1964: Two Thousand Guineas Trial – Penny Stall
1964: Two Thousand Guineas Trial – Penny Stall
1965: Two Thousand Guineas Trial – Niksar
1965: Two Thousand Guineas Trial – Niksar
1965: Palace House Stakes – Runnymede
1965: Palace House Stakes – Runnymede
1965: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Quita II
1965: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Quita II
1965: Victoria Cup – Princelone
1965: Victoria Cup – Princelone
1966: Coronation Cup – I Say
1966: Coronation Cup – I Say
1967: City and Suburban Handicap – Hotroy
1967: City and Suburban Handicap – Hotroy
1967: Greenham Stakes – Play High
1967: Greenham Stakes – Play High
1967: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Javata
1967: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Javata
1968: Jockey Club Stakes – Crozier
1968: Jockey Club Stakes – Crozier
1969: John Porter Stakes – Crozier
1969: John Porter Stakes – Crozier
1969: Sandown Classic Trial – Shoemaker
1969: Sandown Classic Trial – Shoemaker
1969: Victoria Cup – Town Crier
1969: Victoria Cup – Town Crier
1969: Queen Anne Stakes – Town Crier
1969: Queen Anne Stakes – Town Crier
1969: Coronation Stakes – Lucyrowe
1969: Coronation Stakes – Lucyrowe
1969: Yorkshire Oaks – Frontier Goddess
1969: Yorkshire Oaks – Frontier Goddess
1969: Princess Royal Stakes – Seventh Bride
1969: Princess Royal Stakes – Seventh Bride
1969: Sun Chariot Stakes – Lucyrowe
1969: Sun Chariot Stakes – Lucyrowe
1969: Lowther Stakes – Humble Duty
1969: Lowther Stakes – Humble Duty
1969: Cheveley Park Stakes – Humble Duty
1969: Cheveley Park Stakes – Humble Duty
1969: Observer Gold Cup – Approval
1969: Observer Gold Cup – Approval
1970: Coronation Stakes – Humble Duty
1970: Coronation Stakes – Humble Duty
1970: Sussex Stakes – Humble Duty
1970: Sussex Stakes – Humble Duty
1970: Waterford Crystal Mile – Humble Duty
1970: Waterford Crystal Mile – Humble Duty
1970: Observer Gold Cup – Linden Tree
1970: Observer Gold Cup – Linden Tree
1971: Chester Vase – Linden Tree
1971: Chester Vase – Linden Tree
1971: Hardwicke Stakes – Ortis
1971: Hardwicke Stakes – Ortis
1971: Goodwood Cup – Rock Roi
1971: Goodwood Cup – Rock Roi
1971: Doncaster Cup – Rock Roi
1971: Doncaster Cup – Rock Roi
1971: Select Stakes – Ortis
1971: Select Stakes – Ortis
1972: John Porter Stakes – Rock Roi
1972: John Porter Stakes – Rock Roi
1972: Prix du Cadran – Rock Roi
1972: Prix du Cadran – Rock Roi
1972: Musidora Stakes – Jakomima
1972: Musidora Stakes – Jakomima