Jimmy McKeown
Lightweight jockey James (Jimmy) McKeown was born in Girvan, in Ayrshire, on March 2, 1944.
Lightweight jockey James (Jimmy) McKeown was born in Girvan, in Ayrshire, on March 2, 1944.
He came into racing in 1959, when he signed a six-year apprenticeship with Sam Armstrong at Newmarket.
He came into racing in 1959, when he signed a six-year apprenticeship with Sam Armstrong at Newmarket.
Better known as ‘Jock’ McKeown, he rode his first winner when aged 17 on Mig in the Apprentices’ Stakes at Lewes on August 28, 1961. He was soon getting plenty of outside rides and enjoyed his best season in his final year as an apprentice in 1964 with 24 winners.
Better known as ‘Jock’ McKeown, he rode his first winner when aged 17 on Mig in the Apprentices’ Stakes at Lewes on August 28, 1961. He was soon getting plenty of outside rides and enjoyed his best season in his final year as an apprentice in 1964 with 24 winners.
The following year he was retained to ride as first jockey to Pat Taylor at Beverley, but when Taylor moved to Godalming, in Surrey, Jimmy decided to return to Newmarket as a freelance. His decision was rewarded with 13 winners in 1966. Afterwards, however, his seasonal winning tallies did not reach double figures.
The following year he was retained to ride as first jockey to Pat Taylor at Beverley, but when Taylor moved to Godalming, in Surrey, Jimmy decided to return to Newmarket as a freelance. His decision was rewarded with 13 winners in 1966. Afterwards, however, his seasonal winning tallies did not reach double figures.
He spent the winters riding abroad in the early 1970s, his first busman’s holiday being in Calcutta during their 1971/72 season. The following winter he went to Madras, where he had a tremendous time, finishing second to Taffy Thomas in the jockeys’ table with 22 winners. He also rode in South Africa, where he had several winners including an important two-year-old race.
He spent the winters riding abroad in the early 1970s, his first busman’s holiday being in Calcutta during their 1971/72 season. The following winter he went to Madras, where he had a tremendous time, finishing second to Taffy Thomas in the jockeys’ table with 22 winners. He also rode in South Africa, where he had several winners including an important two-year-old race.
But he found it hard to get rides back in Britain and in 1974 left for Germany, basing himself at Cologne, and riding for Anton Pohlkotter, owner of shock Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Star Appeal.
But he found it hard to get rides back in Britain and in 1974 left for Germany, basing himself at Cologne, and riding for Anton Pohlkotter, owner of shock Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Star Appeal.
Able to go to scale at 7st 5lb, Jock McKeown rode a total of 93 winners in Britain.
Able to go to scale at 7st 5lb, Jock McKeown rode a total of 93 winners in Britain.
Jimmy died in 2002.
Jimmy died in 2002.
