Pat Keane
National Hunt jockey Patrick Keane held a licence from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s. He had very few rides in the early part of his career and it wasn’t until May 1971 that he rode his first winner, 33-1 outsider Vasgay in a Fontwell hurdle race for Blandford owner-trainer Frank Kent.
National Hunt jockey Patrick Keane held a licence from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s. He had very few rides in the early part of his career and it wasn’t until May 1971 that he rode his first winner, 33-1 outsider Vasgay in a Fontwell hurdle race for Blandford owner-trainer Frank Kent.
The latter part of his career was spent at the Chard, Somerset stables of Sue Morris, who was the private trainer for owner Peter Blackburn. Blackburn’s colours of red, royal blue sash and sleeves, yellow cap, were well-known during the early 1970s, being carried by horses such as High Si, Holemoor Boy and Prince Eleigh.
The latter part of his career was spent at the Chard, Somerset stables of Sue Morris, who was the private trainer for owner Peter Blackburn. Blackburn’s colours of red, royal blue sash and sleeves, yellow cap, were well-known during the early 1970s, being carried by horses such as High Si, Holemoor Boy and Prince Eleigh.
Pat rode his first winner in those colours on Merrie Lord at Newton Abbot’s 1972 Easter meeting, his sole success that season. He had to wait a full year for his next winner, 25-1 shot Prince Eleigh at Chepstow on Easter Monday 1973.
Pat rode his first winner in those colours on Merrie Lord at Newton Abbot’s 1972 Easter meeting, his sole success that season. He had to wait a full year for his next winner, 25-1 shot Prince Eleigh at Chepstow on Easter Monday 1973.
Having ridden just three winners in three years, Pat doubled his career tally in one season, when riding three winners in 1973/74. High Si set the ball rolling at Taunton’s Christmas meeting. Two months later he rode that same horse to win the Ladbrokes Cesar’s Palace Handicap Hurdle at Stratford. Three days after that, Pat won on another Blackburn-owned horse, novice hurdler Tradaree at Taunton.
Having ridden just three winners in three years, Pat doubled his career tally in one season, when riding three winners in 1973/74. High Si set the ball rolling at Taunton’s Christmas meeting. Two months later he rode that same horse to win the Ladbrokes Cesar’s Palace Handicap Hurdle at Stratford. Three days after that, Pat won on another Blackburn-owned horse, novice hurdler Tradaree at Taunton.
He rode two winners in January 1975, Prince Eleigh at Taunton and novice hurdler Petroleum at Newton Abbot. Sadly, Peter Blackburn died the following month, hence when Pat scored on Prince Eleigh at Devon & Exeter on March 21 and followed up at Newton Abbot eight days later, it was officially for the ‘Admin of the late P Blackburn’.
He rode two winners in January 1975, Prince Eleigh at Taunton and novice hurdler Petroleum at Newton Abbot. Sadly, Peter Blackburn died the following month, hence when Pat scored on Prince Eleigh at Devon & Exeter on March 21 and followed up at Newton Abbot eight days later, it was officially for the ‘Admin of the late P Blackburn’.
Pat Keane rode just one more winner but it could hardly have been more appropriate. It came on Tradaree in the inaugural running of the Peter Blackburn Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase at Taunton on May 9, 1975. Pat’s last winner was also his first over fences. He relinquished his licence the following season.
Pat Keane rode just one more winner but it could hardly have been more appropriate. It came on Tradaree in the inaugural running of the Peter Blackburn Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase at Taunton on May 9, 1975. Pat’s last winner was also his first over fences. He relinquished his licence the following season.
Meanwhile, Sue Morris continued her role as private trainer for Peter Blackburn’s widow. She gave up training in 1984 and Mrs Blackburn moved her horses to be trained by Les Kennard.
Meanwhile, Sue Morris continued her role as private trainer for Peter Blackburn’s widow. She gave up training in 1984 and Mrs Blackburn moved her horses to be trained by Les Kennard.
Pat Keane’s winners were, in chronological order:
Pat Keane’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Vasgay, Fontwell Park, May 5, 1971
1. Vasgay, Fontwell Park, May 5, 1971
2. Merrie Lord, Newton Abbot, April 1, 1972
2. Merrie Lord, Newton Abbot, April 1, 1972
3. Prince Eleigh, Chepstow, April 23, 1973
3. Prince Eleigh, Chepstow, April 23, 1973
4. High Si, Taunton, December 27, 1973
4. High Si, Taunton, December 27, 1973
5. High Si, Stratford-on-Avon, February 23, 1974
5. High Si, Stratford-on-Avon, February 23, 1974
6. Tradaree, Taunton, February 26, 1974
6. Tradaree, Taunton, February 26, 1974
7. Prince Eleigh, Taunton, January 9,1975
7. Prince Eleigh, Taunton, January 9,1975
8. Petroleum, Newton Abbot, January 17, 1975
8. Petroleum, Newton Abbot, January 17, 1975
9. Prince Eleigh, Devon & Exeter, March 21, 1975
9. Prince Eleigh, Devon & Exeter, March 21, 1975
10. Prince Eleigh, Newton Abbot, March 29, 1975
10. Prince Eleigh, Newton Abbot, March 29, 1975
11. Tradaree, Taunton, May 9, 1975
11. Tradaree, Taunton, May 9, 1975