Eric McKeever
Eric McKeever
Eric McKeever
c1903-1938
c1903-1938
Eric McKeever was a multiple champion jockey in Ireland and twice won the Irish Grand National before his early death in motor accident.
Eric McKeever was a multiple champion jockey in Ireland and twice won the Irish Grand National before his early death in motor accident.
Christened Frederick Edward McKeever but always known as ‘Eric’, he was born at Batterstown, Co. Meath circa 1903. A member of a well-known sporting family, he started out as an amateur rider and became Ireland’s champion jockey for the first time in 1929, a title he retained until turning professional at the end of 1933. By topping the table that year to become overall Irish champion (Flat and jumps), he became the last amateur to achieve that feat, the only other to do so having been W. J. Parkinson, son of Senator J. J. Parkinson, who headed the list in 1916.
Christened Frederick Edward McKeever but always known as ‘Eric’, he was born at Batterstown, Co. Meath circa 1903. A member of a well-known sporting family, he started out as an amateur rider and became Ireland’s champion jockey for the first time in 1929, a title he retained until turning professional at the end of 1933. By topping the table that year to become overall Irish champion (Flat and jumps), he became the last amateur to achieve that feat, the only other to do so having been W. J. Parkinson, son of Senator J. J. Parkinson, who headed the list in 1916.
Eric won his first Irish Grand National in 1931 on Impudent Barney, trained by Charlie Rogers at Ratoath, Co. Meath, just a stone’s throw from Fairyhouse Racecourse. Impudent Barney drew right away from his toiling rivals in the straight to win by the huge margin of 40 lengths. Eric was the last amateur rider to win the race for 48 years until Tony Robinson rode his own horse Tied Cottage to victory in 1979.
Eric won his first Irish Grand National in 1931 on Impudent Barney, trained by Charlie Rogers at Ratoath, Co. Meath, just a stone’s throw from Fairyhouse Racecourse. Impudent Barney drew right away from his toiling rivals in the straight to win by the huge margin of 40 lengths. Eric was the last amateur rider to win the race for 48 years until Tony Robinson rode his own horse Tied Cottage to victory in 1979.
He experienced the other side of racing in the following year’s Irish Grand National when his mount Coolinolagh, who was beaten at the time, fell, breaking his rider’s collarbone. He rode Coolinolagh again in the 1933 renewal, this time finishing third under top weight of 12st 7lb.
He experienced the other side of racing in the following year’s Irish Grand National when his mount Coolinolagh, who was beaten at the time, fell, breaking his rider’s collarbone. He rode Coolinolagh again in the 1933 renewal, this time finishing third under top weight of 12st 7lb.
Away from Fairyhouse, Eric enjoyed big race success at Galway, winning back-to-back runnings of the Galway Hurdle in 1932/33 on Knuckleduster, while at Punchestown he won the 1932 Price of Wales Chase on Coolinolagh and the 1933 Kildare Hunt Chase on Irish Knight II.
Away from Fairyhouse, Eric enjoyed big race success at Galway, winning back-to-back runnings of the Galway Hurdle in 1932/33 on Knuckleduster, while at Punchestown he won the 1932 Price of Wales Chase on Coolinolagh and the 1933 Kildare Hunt Chase on Irish Knight II.
He made a perfect start to 1934 by winning the Claremont Chase at Baldoyle on New Year’s Day aboard Ardanew, then turned professional at the start of February. He finished last in that year’s Irish Grand National on Blarney Castle. He was unplaced again in 1935, this time on 5-1 joint-second favourite Mollison. Ironically, that year’s race was won by Rathfriland from 20-1 outsider Crockafortha, both trained by Eric’s brother Tom McKeever, who thereby had the distinction of being the first trainer to saddle both the first and second in an Irish Grand National.
He made a perfect start to 1934 by winning the Claremont Chase at Baldoyle on New Year’s Day aboard Ardanew, then turned professional at the start of February. He finished last in that year’s Irish Grand National on Blarney Castle. He was unplaced again in 1935, this time on 5-1 joint-second favourite Mollison. Ironically, that year’s race was won by Rathfriland from 20-1 outsider Crockafortha, both trained by Eric’s brother Tom McKeever, who thereby had the distinction of being the first trainer to saddle both the first and second in an Irish Grand National.
Eric was champion jockey again in 1937 and also won that year’s Irish Grand National on 3-1 joint-favourite Pontet, trained by Cecil Brabazon. He brought Pontet through to challenge at the last fence and drew clear on the run-in to beat the other joint-favourite Lough Cottage by three lengths, with future Aintree Grand National hero Workman four lengths further behind in third place.
Eric was champion jockey again in 1937 and also won that year’s Irish Grand National on 3-1 joint-favourite Pontet, trained by Cecil Brabazon. He brought Pontet through to challenge at the last fence and drew clear on the run-in to beat the other joint-favourite Lough Cottage by three lengths, with future Aintree Grand National hero Workman four lengths further behind in third place.
Pontet was owned by George Malcomson, who had ridden her to victory in the 1936 Punchestown Cup. She was bought for him as a present by his mother for 10 guineas as a yearling and named after a master at Malcolmson’s old school, St Columba’s College.
Pontet was owned by George Malcomson, who had ridden her to victory in the 1936 Punchestown Cup. She was bought for him as a present by his mother for 10 guineas as a yearling and named after a master at Malcolmson’s old school, St Columba’s College.
Had he not been ruled out through injury, Eric would have ridden Royal Danielli in the 1938 Grand National. Dan Moore, who had only turned professional that year, substituted and was famously caught close home by 17-year-old Bruce Hobbs on Battleship.
Had he not been ruled out through injury, Eric would have ridden Royal Danielli in the 1938 Grand National. Dan Moore, who had only turned professional that year, substituted and was famously caught close home by 17-year-old Bruce Hobbs on Battleship.
Sadly, Eric McKeever was killed in a motor accident on July 10 that year on his way home after racing at Leopardstown. Aged 35, he was still at the top of his profession. A trophy in his honour is presented each year to the winning rider in the Irish Grand National.
Sadly, Eric McKeever was killed in a motor accident on July 10 that year on his way home after racing at Leopardstown. Aged 35, he was still at the top of his profession. A trophy in his honour is presented each year to the winning rider in the Irish Grand National.
1931 Grand National: Eric McKeever on Guiding Light gives Ted Leader a lift back to the paddocks.
1931 Grand National: Eric McKeever on Guiding Light gives Ted Leader a lift back to the paddocks.
Eric wins the 1931 Irish Grand National on Impudent Barney
Eric wins the 1931 Irish Grand National on Impudent Barney
Eric won his 2nd Irish Grand National in 1937, this time on Pontet
Eric won his 2nd Irish Grand National in 1937, this time on Pontet
Eric McKeever wins the 1937 Irish Grand National on Pontet.
Eric McKeever wins the 1937 Irish Grand National on Pontet.