Robert Keiley

Robert Keiley

Article by Alan Trout

There was a time when it looked as though Robert Keiley would have a substantial career as a National Hunt jockey. In 1909, his first full season, he had over 80 rides and six wins, but in the end, he added only two more in 1910, and that was all. 

His first success came at Plumpton on January 8, 1909, when Rust IV won the Moderate Hurdle. It was the six-year-old’s third race in three days, and Robert, who had partnered him in his other two starts, now drove him home to beat Olivarez by half a length. Just fourteen days later, he doubled his score when Borderer II won the Harkover Selling Handicap Chase at Lingfield Park. 

A narrow victory on Strathavon in the Easter Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton came next, with only a neck separating the seven-year-old from Tiptree Heath, the mount of Frank Butchers. This was followed with a 30-length victory at Aldershot on the five-year-old Hadijeh, beating two rivals to clinch the Hale Selling Hurdle. Then came another success on Strathavon in the May Day Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield Park, beating future champion jockey Ernie Piggott on The Clown II, with former champion Paddy Cowley back in third on Miss Manifold. 

Trainer Edmund Woodland supplied all of Robert’s wins that year, the sixth coming when Rust IV was successful again in the Dover Handicap Hurdle at Folkestone on December 20, and it was the same trainer who would provide him with the last two of his career. 

Robert made a promising start to 1910 with a comfortable victory on Oak Park II in the Open Chase at Hurst Park on January 15, although his task was made simpler by both of his rivals falling, Paddy Cowley remounting The Black Knight to finish second. Six days later at Lingfield Park, Robert had what proved to be his final winner when Honore II won the New Year Handicap Chase. As that was his tenth, it meant that he lost the right to claim an allowance, ten being all that was required in those days, so he was obliged to take on the top professionals on level terms. 

A fall from Honore II at Sandown in early February did not help his cause, while he was beaten in a match and finished third in a three-mile chase aboard Oak Park II on consecutive days at Windsor later in the month. He had a few more mounts during the year but was rarely seen in action thereafter. His last ride was on Lady Confidence, a faller in the Park Maiden Chase at Hurst Park on February 17, 1912. 

Robert Keiley’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Rust IV, Plumpton, January 8, 1909

2. Borderer II, Lingfield Park, January 22, 1909

3. Strathavon, Plumpton, April 10, 1909

4. Hadijeh, Aldershot, April 29, 1909   

5. Strathavon, Lingfield Park, May 1, 1910

6. Rust IV, Folkestone, December 20, 1909

7. Oak Park II, Hurst Park, January 15, 1910

8. Honore II, Lingfield Park, January 21, 1910