Pat McKeown
Pat McKeown
Pat McKeown
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Patrick Pearce McKeown rode a total of eight winners in a career that lasted just over 15 years.
Patrick Pearce McKeown rode a total of eight winners in a career that lasted just over 15 years.
He rode his first winner on Gilt Edge in the Farmers’ Chase at Navan (known in those days as Proudstown Park) on March 27, 1947, his sole success prior to crossing the Irish Sea and joining Wetherby trainer Tony Doyle, with whom he would spend the rest of his race-riding career..
He rode his first winner on Gilt Edge in the Farmers’ Chase at Navan (known in those days as Proudstown Park) on March 27, 1947, his sole success prior to crossing the Irish Sea and joining Wetherby trainer Tony Doyle, with whom he would spend the rest of his race-riding career..
His first ride in England was on Sequouro, who finished unplaced in the Bilton Hurdle at Wetherby on Easter Monday, March 29, 1948. He recorded his first English win on September 25 of that year when Prince Toi won the Walesby Chase at Market Rasen. Trained by Tony Doyle, the 11-year-old had fallen with Pat on board on his only previous outing that season but this time made no mistake and won by three lengths from Lionel Vick’s mount Joyous Flight.
His first ride in England was on Sequouro, who finished unplaced in the Bilton Hurdle at Wetherby on Easter Monday, March 29, 1948. He recorded his first English win on September 25 of that year when Prince Toi won the Walesby Chase at Market Rasen. Trained by Tony Doyle, the 11-year-old had fallen with Pat on board on his only previous outing that season but this time made no mistake and won by three lengths from Lionel Vick’s mount Joyous Flight.
It was almost six years before Pat visited the winner’s enclosure again. The drought ended when Keep Moving, also trained by Tony Doyle, landed the Dunkirk Handicap Chase at Southwell on September 4, 1954, beating Tim Brookshaw on Hanis by ten lengths. The 27lb Keep Moving was receiving from the runner-up undoubtedly helped.
It was almost six years before Pat visited the winner’s enclosure again. The drought ended when Keep Moving, also trained by Tony Doyle, landed the Dunkirk Handicap Chase at Southwell on September 4, 1954, beating Tim Brookshaw on Hanis by ten lengths. The 27lb Keep Moving was receiving from the runner-up undoubtedly helped.
Doyle sent the 12-year-old to score again at Wetherby the following month, when the margin of victory in the Headley Handicap Chase over George Milburn on Newberry was two lengths. The hat-trick bid at Catterick Bridge on November 6 failed when Keep Moving fell.
Doyle sent the 12-year-old to score again at Wetherby the following month, when the margin of victory in the Headley Handicap Chase over George Milburn on Newberry was two lengths. The hat-trick bid at Catterick Bridge on November 6 failed when Keep Moving fell.
Another five years elapsed before Pat had his next success when First Of The Moore’s landed the Rydal Water Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle on October 3, 1959, giving Tony Doyle his only winner of the season.
Another five years elapsed before Pat had his next success when First Of The Moore’s landed the Rydal Water Selling Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle on October 3, 1959, giving Tony Doyle his only winner of the season.
However, Doyle was able to provide Pat with his next win when, exactly a year after his previous success, he won the Sunniside Selling Handicap Hurdle at Hexham on the mare Cheshire Cat by four lengths. She and Pat scored again at Manchester on December 2, taking the Salford Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating champion jockey Stan Mellor on Zombie II by two lengths in the process.
However, Doyle was able to provide Pat with his next win when, exactly a year after his previous success, he won the Sunniside Selling Handicap Hurdle at Hexham on the mare Cheshire Cat by four lengths. She and Pat scored again at Manchester on December 2, taking the Salford Selling Handicap Hurdle, beating champion jockey Stan Mellor on Zombie II by two lengths in the process.
Pat rode his last winner at Market Rasen on November 30, 1961 aboard the Doyle-trained four-year-old Elsie D, who drew clear of her rivals to win the Tealby Selling Handicap Hurdle by ten lengths. Pat had twice finished second on her earlier in the season but they were unable to add to their Market Rasen success in two subsequent starts.
Pat rode his last winner at Market Rasen on November 30, 1961 aboard the Doyle-trained four-year-old Elsie D, who drew clear of her rivals to win the Tealby Selling Handicap Hurdle by ten lengths. Pat had twice finished second on her earlier in the season but they were unable to add to their Market Rasen success in two subsequent starts.
Elsie D was also Pat’s final ride when finishing fifth in the Stanhope Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on March 23, 1963. By that time, Tony Doyle’s young son John had taken out a jump jockey’s licence and had begun to inherit what had formerly been Pat’s rides. John rode Elsie D for the remainder of the season and Pat relinquished his licence before the end of the campaign.
Elsie D was also Pat’s final ride when finishing fifth in the Stanhope Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on March 23, 1963. By that time, Tony Doyle’s young son John had taken out a jump jockey’s licence and had begun to inherit what had formerly been Pat’s rides. John rode Elsie D for the remainder of the season and Pat relinquished his licence before the end of the campaign.
Pat McKeown’s winners were, in chronological order:
Pat McKeown’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Gilt Edge, Proudstown Park (Navan), March 27, 1947
1. Gilt Edge, Proudstown Park (Navan), March 27, 1947
2. Prince Toi, Market Rasen, September 25, 1948
2. Prince Toi, Market Rasen, September 25, 1948
3. Keep Moving, Southwell, September 4, 1954
3. Keep Moving, Southwell, September 4, 1954
4. Keep Moving, Wetherby, October 9, 1954
4. Keep Moving, Wetherby, October 9, 1954
5. First Of The Moore’s, Carlisle, October 3, 1959
5. First Of The Moore’s, Carlisle, October 3, 1959
6. Cheshire Cat, Hexham, October 3, 1960
6. Cheshire Cat, Hexham, October 3, 1960
7. Cheshire Cat, Manchester, December 2, 1960
7. Cheshire Cat, Manchester, December 2, 1960
8. Elsie D, Market Rasen, November 30, 1961
8. Elsie D, Market Rasen, November 30, 1961
Pat's first win came at Navan in 1947 on Gilt Edge
Pat McKeown's final win came at Market Rasen on Elsie D