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Born in Carlisle, Tom Keddy began his apprenticeship with Tot Kelso, who trained at Mid Town Farm, near the old Penrith racecourse. He had what he later recalled as “the odd ride here and there,” among the first being when finishing last of ten runners on Cortachy Boy in a six-furlong apprentices’ handicap at Hamilton Park on 14 July 1967.
Born in Carlisle, Tom Keddy began his apprenticeship with Tot Kelso, who trained at Mid Town Farm, near the old Penrith racecourse. He had what he later recalled as “the odd ride here and there,” among the first being when finishing last of ten runners on Cortachy Boy in a six-furlong apprentices’ handicap at Hamilton Park on 14 July 1967.
Later that month he rode Cortachy Boy in a five-furlong contest at long-gone Alexandra Park, this time finishing tenth of eleven in a race involving top Australian jockeys Scobie Breasley, Russ Maddock and Ron Hutchinson.
Later that month he rode Cortachy Boy in a five-furlong contest at long-gone Alexandra Park, this time finishing tenth of eleven in a race involving top Australian jockeys Scobie Breasley, Russ Maddock and Ron Hutchinson.
In September, Tom rode Cortachy Boy in a six-furlong sprint at Thirsk, finishing last of fourteen. When Tot Kelso handed over the training mantle to former NH jockey Eric Campbell at the end of that year, Tom continued his apprenticeship with the new licence holder. He was placed a few times but never rode a winner.
In September, Tom rode Cortachy Boy in a six-furlong sprint at Thirsk, finishing last of fourteen. When Tot Kelso handed over the training mantle to former NH jockey Eric Campbell at the end of that year, Tom continued his apprenticeship with the new licence holder. He was placed a few times but never rode a winner.
He had weighed out at just 6st 11lb when taking those mounts on Cortachy Boy at Alexandra Park and at Thirsk. Ironically, it was his light weight that counted against him when he joined Fred Rimell’s National Hunt yard. He stayed only six months, during which time Rimell’s Gay Trip won the 1970 Grand National in the hands of Pat Taaffe.
He had weighed out at just 6st 11lb when taking those mounts on Cortachy Boy at Alexandra Park and at Thirsk. Ironically, it was his light weight that counted against him when he joined Fred Rimell’s National Hunt yard. He stayed only six months, during which time Rimell’s Gay Trip won the 1970 Grand National in the hands of Pat Taaffe.
He worked continuously for 22 years in Newmarket, spending eight years with Henry Cecil and getting on some of Cecil’s best horses on the gallops, including Kris and Bolkonski. He was head man for Luca Cumani and also worked for Chris Wall. He also spent some time with Somerset trainer Ian Wardle and rode a few of his jumpers, and then joined Kinnersley trainer Simon Christian.
He worked continuously for 22 years in Newmarket, spending eight years with Henry Cecil and getting on some of Cecil’s best horses on the gallops, including Kris and Bolkonski. He was head man for Luca Cumani and also worked for Chris Wall. He also spent some time with Somerset trainer Ian Wardle and rode a few of his jumpers, and then joined Kinnersley trainer Simon Christian.
In 1995 Tom took out a trainer’s licence, based at Empire Stables, Alfrick, near Worcester. He trained a string of around a dozen there, then in 2000 he returned to Newmarket and set up stables at Hayward Place, on Hamilton Road, which would be his base for the rest of his career.
In 1995 Tom took out a trainer’s licence, based at Empire Stables, Alfrick, near Worcester. He trained a string of around a dozen there, then in 2000 he returned to Newmarket and set up stables at Hayward Place, on Hamilton Road, which would be his base for the rest of his career.
His string reached a peak of 21 horses in 2008, but by 2011 it had fallen to less than half that number. By 2014 it had dwindled to just three.
His string reached a peak of 21 horses in 2008, but by 2011 it had fallen to less than half that number. By 2014 it had dwindled to just three.
Tom’s last winner was Archie Rice, owned by his wife Hayley and ridden by 3lb claimer Robert Tart, in a ten-furlong Lingfield handicap on 11 January 2014. Archie Rice was also his final runner when finishing seventh of eight in a Newmarket handicap on 18 July 2014. He did not renew his licence the following year.
Tom’s last winner was Archie Rice, owned by his wife Hayley and ridden by 3lb claimer Robert Tart, in a ten-furlong Lingfield handicap on 11 January 2014. Archie Rice was also his final runner when finishing seventh of eight in a Newmarket handicap on 18 July 2014. He did not renew his licence the following year.
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