Mike Keogh
Mike Keogh
Mike Keogh
1909-1994
1909-1994
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Despite a career that lasted for almost two decades, Michael Terrance Keogh only once rode more than two winners in a season. His final total was 16, with a best score of five in the 1934/35 campaign.
Despite a career that lasted for almost two decades, Michael Terrance Keogh only once rode more than two winners in a season. His final total was 16, with a best score of five in the 1934/35 campaign.
Born in 1909, he achieved his first victory at Catterick Bridge on March 5, 1931, when Winnersh won the Scotch Corner Selling Hurdle by a length from Wilf Thatcher on Bynac. The five-year-old was sold after the race and Mike had to wait over a year for a second success, which finally arrived courtesy of handicap hurdler St Clements at Huntingdon on Easter Monday 1932. His third win was not until Easter Monday the following year, aboard Donnybrook in a two-mile handicap chase at Towcester.
Born in 1909, he achieved his first victory at Catterick Bridge on March 5, 1931, when Winnersh won the Scotch Corner Selling Hurdle by a length from Wilf Thatcher on Bynac. The five-year-old was sold after the race and Mike had to wait over a year for a second success, which finally arrived courtesy of handicap hurdler St Clements at Huntingdon on Easter Monday 1932. His third win was not until Easter Monday the following year, aboard Donnybrook in a two-mile handicap chase at Towcester.
He did not ride in any big races but did win four times on the chaser Accolade. He relinquished his licence during the war, returning in the late 1940s for three more wins. He rode out his claim when winning his 15th race aboard Vivant in the Bell Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Newport on the final day of the 1946/47 season.
He did not ride in any big races but did win four times on the chaser Accolade. He relinquished his licence during the war, returning in the late 1940s for three more wins. He rode out his claim when winning his 15th race aboard Vivant in the Bell Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Newport on the final day of the 1946/47 season.
Vivant was also his last winner, in the Wetheral Selling Hurdle at Carlisle on Easter Monday, April 18, 1949, scoring by three lengths from Tel El Kebir, the mount of Jimmy Power. It was the only time the six-year-old ran that season.
Vivant was also his last winner, in the Wetheral Selling Hurdle at Carlisle on Easter Monday, April 18, 1949, scoring by three lengths from Tel El Kebir, the mount of Jimmy Power. It was the only time the six-year-old ran that season.
Mike Keogh held a licence until the 1951/52 season but rode no more winners. He died in 1994.
Mike Keogh held a licence until the 1951/52 season but rode no more winners. He died in 1994.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Winnersh, Catterick Bridge, March 5, 1931
1. Winnersh, Catterick Bridge, March 5, 1931
2. St Clements, Huntingdon, March 28, 1932
2. St Clements, Huntingdon, March 28, 1932
3. Donnybrook, Towcester, April 17, 1933
3. Donnybrook, Towcester, April 17, 1933
4. Well Hit, Southwell, October 9, 1933
4. Well Hit, Southwell, October 9, 1933
5. Santrout, Southwell, May 19, 1934
5. Santrout, Southwell, May 19, 1934
6. Freeholder, Uttoxeter, March 4, 1935
6. Freeholder, Uttoxeter, March 4, 1935
7. Accolade, Market Rasen, April 22, 1935
7. Accolade, Market Rasen, April 22, 1935
8. Cornafulla, Market Rasen, May 20, 1935
8. Cornafulla, Market Rasen, May 20, 1935
9. Cornafulla, Hexham, June 8, 1935
9. Cornafulla, Hexham, June 8, 1935
10. Lady Trace, Hexham, June 10, 1935
10. Lady Trace, Hexham, June 10, 1935
11. Accolade, Devon & Exeter, August 26, 1936
11. Accolade, Devon & Exeter, August 26, 1936
12. Accolade, Totnes, September 3, 1936
12. Accolade, Totnes, September 3, 1936
13. Accolade, Woore, May 14, 1938
13. Accolade, Woore, May 14, 1938
14. Rosario, Stratford-on-Avon, April 19, 1947
14. Rosario, Stratford-on-Avon, April 19, 1947
15. Vivant, Newport, June 14, 1947
15. Vivant, Newport, June 14, 1947
16. Vivant, Carlisle, April 18, 1949
16. Vivant, Carlisle, April 18, 1949
Mike Keogh's first victory, Winnersh, came at Catterick, March 5, 1931
Mike Keogh's first victory, Winnersh, came at Catterick, March 5, 1931