Michael Keogh
National Hunt jockey Michael Keogh held a licence for much of the 1960s but did not manage to ride a winner. Having said that, he rode very few with any sort of winning chance. He was a typical member of the ‘chalk jockey’ brigade who rode slow and often dangerous conveyances. He rode for Lewes-based trainer Bob Moore for the first part of his career and had around a dozen rides a season, sometimes less, pretty much all on no-hopers.
National Hunt jockey Michael Keogh held a licence for much of the 1960s but did not manage to ride a winner. Having said that, he rode very few with any sort of winning chance. He was a typical member of the ‘chalk jockey’ brigade who rode slow and often dangerous conveyances. He rode for Lewes-based trainer Bob Moore for the first part of his career and had around a dozen rides a season, sometimes less, pretty much all on no-hopers.
Bank Holiday meetings were when he was most likely to have more than just the one mount. Plumpton’s 1964 Easter fixture was a typical one for him. One ride on the Saturday, aboard 25/1 outsider Back Chat, who trailed in last of nine finishers in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle; followed by two on Easter Monday in the two divisions of the Hailsham Novices’ Hurdle: falling on 33/1 chance Witchborne in the first, then fifth of seven survivors on 50/1 longshot Fairy Moth in the second.
Bank Holiday meetings were when he was most likely to have more than just the one mount. Plumpton’s 1964 Easter fixture was a typical one for him. One ride on the Saturday, aboard 25/1 outsider Back Chat, who trailed in last of nine finishers in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle; followed by two on Easter Monday in the two divisions of the Hailsham Novices’ Hurdle: falling on 33/1 chance Witchborne in the first, then fifth of seven survivors on 50/1 longshot Fairy Moth in the second.
He rode Fairy Moth again next time out, trailing home a distant last of six finishers in a Folkestone novices’ chase.
He rode Fairy Moth again next time out, trailing home a distant last of six finishers in a Folkestone novices’ chase.
Fontwell’s Whit Monday card on May 18, 1964 was another typical bank holiday at the office. His first two mounts, 25/1 shots Withborne in the novice hurdle and Fairy Moth in the handicap chase, both fell. Michael emerged unscathed from those spills to complete the course on 33/1 outsider Back Chat, last of thirteen to complete in the Meyrick Good Handicap Hurdle.
Fontwell’s Whit Monday card on May 18, 1964 was another typical bank holiday at the office. His first two mounts, 25/1 shots Withborne in the novice hurdle and Fairy Moth in the handicap chase, both fell. Michael emerged unscathed from those spills to complete the course on 33/1 outsider Back Chat, last of thirteen to complete in the Meyrick Good Handicap Hurdle.
Back Chat was also his final ride of that 1963/64 season, at Stratford on May 23, finishing a slightly more respectable seventh of ten to get round.
Back Chat was also his final ride of that 1963/64 season, at Stratford on May 23, finishing a slightly more respectable seventh of ten to get round.
He rode less often during the 1964/65 season but twice within a week in November managed to complete without mishap on juvenile hurdler Scottsdore at Plumpton and Folkestone.
He rode less often during the 1964/65 season but twice within a week in November managed to complete without mishap on juvenile hurdler Scottsdore at Plumpton and Folkestone.
Michael relinquished his licence during the 1965/66 campaign but renewed it the following season, having by then headed north, where he rode the Gordon W. Richards-trained Super National in the sponsored Dormer Drill (4yo) Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster on November 19, 1966. They came home tenth of the thirteen runners.
Michael relinquished his licence during the 1965/66 campaign but renewed it the following season, having by then headed north, where he rode the Gordon W. Richards-trained Super National in the sponsored Dormer Drill (4yo) Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster on November 19, 1966. They came home tenth of the thirteen runners.
Michael held a licence for two more seasons but appears to have very few rides during that time. It would be interesting to learn whether he remained in racing and, if so, how his career progressed from thereon.
Michael held a licence for two more seasons but appears to have very few rides during that time. It would be interesting to learn whether he remained in racing and, if so, how his career progressed from thereon.
Fontwell Park, Whit Monday 1964: three rides on a Bank Holiday, the first two ending in falls.
Fontwell Park, Whit Monday 1964: three rides on a Bank Holiday, the first two ending in falls.
Doncaster, 19 November 1966: Michael finishes tenth on Super National in an ITV televised race.
Doncaster, 19 November 1966: Michael finishes tenth on Super National in an ITV televised race.