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Stephen McKeever
Stephen McKeever
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
After a promising start to his career with five wins as an amateur, Stephen William McKeever turned professional and added another 11 over the course of two seasons.
After a promising start to his career with five wins as an amateur, Stephen William McKeever turned professional and added another 11 over the course of two seasons.
He rode his first winner at Newton Abbot on September 1, 1987, when Dame Flora, despite jumping left at the last flight, won the Taw Handicap Hurdle by 12 lengths. He had four more wins during that campaign, including three within 11 days in May.
He rode his first winner at Newton Abbot on September 1, 1987, when Dame Flora, despite jumping left at the last flight, won the Taw Handicap Hurdle by 12 lengths. He had four more wins during that campaign, including three within 11 days in May.
He made a good start to his professional career when Dame Flora obliged again, this time at Southwell. Her trainer was Tom Kemp who supplied all but three of Stephen’s winners.
He made a good start to his professional career when Dame Flora obliged again, this time at Southwell. Her trainer was Tom Kemp who supplied all but three of Stephen’s winners.
Weirpool, having graduated from novice to handicap chase company during the season, won four times for Stephen. However, the best horse he rode was Bradbury Star, on whom he won a hurdle race for three-year-olds at Newton Abbot in November 1988. Bradbury Star went on to win several good races including the 1994 Mackeson Gold Cup when trained by Josh Gifford.
Weirpool, having graduated from novice to handicap chase company during the season, won four times for Stephen. However, the best horse he rode was Bradbury Star, on whom he won a hurdle race for three-year-olds at Newton Abbot in November 1988. Bradbury Star went on to win several good races including the 1994 Mackeson Gold Cup when trained by Josh Gifford.
After eight wins in 1988/89, Stephen’s score fell to just three the following season. He had what proved to be his final success on the all-weather at Lingfield Park on November 16, 1989, when Branstown Sunset, trained by former jump jockey Paddy Butler, ran on well to land the Bulwark Handicap Hurdle by two lengths. He persevered for at least one more season but there were no more wins.
After eight wins in 1988/89, Stephen’s score fell to just three the following season. He had what proved to be his final success on the all-weather at Lingfield Park on November 16, 1989, when Branstown Sunset, trained by former jump jockey Paddy Butler, ran on well to land the Bulwark Handicap Hurdle by two lengths. He persevered for at least one more season but there were no more wins.
Stephen McKeever’s winners were, in chronological order:
Stephen McKeever’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Dame Flora, Newton Abbot, September 1, 1987
1. Dame Flora, Newton Abbot, September 1, 1987
2. Thirty Acre, Plumpton, December 29, 1987
2. Thirty Acre, Plumpton, December 29, 1987
3. Improvise, Sedgefield, May 17, 1988
3. Improvise, Sedgefield, May 17, 1988
4. Island Pearl, Fontwell Park, May 20, 1988
4. Island Pearl, Fontwell Park, May 20, 1988
5. Improvise, Southwell, May 28, 1988
5. Improvise, Southwell, May 28, 1988
6. Dame Flora, Southwell, August 6, 1988
6. Dame Flora, Southwell, August 6, 1988
7. Weirpool, Leicester, November 25, 1988
7. Weirpool, Leicester, November 25, 1988
8. Bradbury Star, Newton Abbot, November 29, 1988
8. Bradbury Star, Newton Abbot, November 29, 1988
9. Weirpool, Leicester, January 2, 1989
9. Weirpool, Leicester, January 2, 1989
10. Narcone, Plumpton, January 30, 1989
10. Narcone, Plumpton, January 30, 1989
11. Weirpool, Folkestone, February 15, 1989
11. Weirpool, Folkestone, February 15, 1989
12. Panel Game, Plumpton, March 13, 1989
12. Panel Game, Plumpton, March 13, 1989
13. Branstown Sunset, Plumpton, April 21, 1989
13. Branstown Sunset, Plumpton, April 21, 1989
14. Jilly Wood, Plumpton, October 24, 1989
14. Jilly Wood, Plumpton, October 24, 1989
15. Weirpool, Huntingdon, October 28, 1989
15. Weirpool, Huntingdon, October 28, 1989
16. Branstown Sunset, Lingfield Park, November 16, 1989
16. Branstown Sunset, Lingfield Park, November 16, 1989
Stephen McKeever's first NH win: Bradbury Star, Newton Abbot, November 29, 1988
His final winner: Branstown Sunset, Lingfield Park, November 16, 1989
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