Dean McKeown
The son of Newmarket stud groom Sam McKeown, Dean Russell Mckeown was born in Woolwich, London, on February 5, 1960, and served his apprenticeship with trainers Peter Robinson, Pat Haslam, Willie Hastings-Bass and, when the latter emigrated to Australia, Bill O'Gorman to whom Dean's indentures were finally transferred.
The son of Newmarket stud groom Sam McKeown, Dean Russell Mckeown was born in Woolwich, London, on February 5, 1960, and served his apprenticeship with trainers Peter Robinson, Pat Haslam, Willie Hastings-Bass and, when the latter emigrated to Australia, Bill O'Gorman to whom Dean's indentures were finally transferred.
Dean McKeown, tall and strong, was articulate and a great assessor of horses but, because of the presence of stable jockey Tony Ives, was given little chance to shine with O'Gorman.
Dean McKeown, tall and strong, was articulate and a great assessor of horses but, because of the presence of stable jockey Tony Ives, was given little chance to shine with O'Gorman.
He found the early years going tough. In a five year period between 1979 and 1983, he rode just 60 winners.
He found the early years going tough. In a five year period between 1979 and 1983, he rode just 60 winners.
He rode his first winner on Jackalla in the Mandale Apprentices Handicap at Teeside Park on 31st March 1978.
He rode his first winner on Jackalla in the Mandale Apprentices Handicap at Teeside Park on 31st March 1978.
Slowly his luck turned and he began winning good races. He won 3 Cambridgeshires, the Queen Mary, the Queen Alexandra, the Princess Margaret , the Ebor, the Chester Cup (Hu's Dancer) and the Irish St Leger.
Slowly his luck turned and he began winning good races. He won 3 Cambridgeshires, the Queen Mary, the Queen Alexandra, the Princess Margaret , the Ebor, the Chester Cup (Hu's Dancer) and the Irish St Leger.
He seemed to have finally arrived when his luck turned again.
He seemed to have finally arrived when his luck turned again.
On Tuesday, 4 November 2008, he was found in breach of the non-trier's rule after his ride on Rascal.
On Tuesday, 4 November 2008, he was found in breach of the non-trier's rule after his ride on Rascal.
Then, in October 2008, he was disqualified for four years having been found guilty of committing a corrupt or fraudulent practice.
Then, in October 2008, he was disqualified for four years having been found guilty of committing a corrupt or fraudulent practice.
He never rode again.
He never rode again.
Throughout his career he earned a reputation for being one of the most astute form judges in the weighing-room.
Throughout his career he earned a reputation for being one of the most astute form judges in the weighing-room.
His father spent many years in the Army, so Dean was always on the move. He spent his early years in Kenya where his father rode several winners over the jumps in the early sixties. He also spent some time in Germany.
His father spent many years in the Army, so Dean was always on the move. He spent his early years in Kenya where his father rode several winners over the jumps in the early sixties. He also spent some time in Germany.
His brother, Dale, was a successful jumps jockey.
His brother, Dale, was a successful jumps jockey.
Big winners
Big winners
1987: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Balthus
1987: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Balthus
1988: Cumberland Plate – Four Star Trust
1988: Cumberland Plate – Four Star Trust
1988: John Smith’s Magnet Cup – Bashful Boy
1988: John Smith’s Magnet Cup – Bashful Boy
1989: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Rambo’s Hall
1989: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Rambo’s Hall
1990: Queen Mary Stakes – On Tiptoes
1990: Queen Mary Stakes – On Tiptoes
1990: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Regal Reform
1990: Queen Alexandra Stakes – Regal Reform
1991: Gosforth Park Cup – Lucedeo
1991: Gosforth Park Cup – Lucedeo
1991: Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy – Colway Bold
1991: Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy – Colway Bold
1992: Princess Margaret Stakes – Marina Park
1992: Princess Margaret Stakes – Marina Park
1992: Ebor Handicap – Quick Ransom
1992: Ebor Handicap – Quick Ransom
1992: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Rambo’s Hall
1992: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Rambo’s Hall
1997: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Tadeo
1997: Great St Wilfrid Handicap – Tadeo
1998: Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy – Boldly Goes
1998: Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy – Boldly Goes
1999: Carlisle Bell – Pas De Memories
1999: Carlisle Bell – Pas De Memories
2002: Cumberland Plate – Hugs Dancer
2002: Cumberland Plate – Hugs Dancer
2002: Ebor Handicap – Hugs Dancer
2002: Ebor Handicap – Hugs Dancer
2003: Chester Cup – Hugs Dancer
2003: Chester Cup – Hugs Dancer
2007: Cumberland Plate – Oddsmaker
2007: Cumberland Plate – Oddsmaker
In Ireland
In Ireland
2005: Irish St Leger – Collier Hill
2005: Irish St Leger – Collier Hill