Eddie O'Keefe
1932 -2001
1932 -2001
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Christened Eamon Declan O’Keeffe but always known as Eddie, he was born in Cork on November 11, 1932. The son of veterinary surgeon John O’Keeffe, Eddie was riding from the age of five.
Christened Eamon Declan O’Keeffe but always known as Eddie, he was born in Cork on November 11, 1932. The son of veterinary surgeon John O’Keeffe, Eddie was riding from the age of five.
He served his apprenticeship initially with Atty Persse at Upper Lambourn. During the whole of the 1950 Flat season he had only one ride in public, but that was on a horse that he would later reflect was the best he rode during his entire career. Her name was Queen of Sheba. Eddie rode her just once, finishing unplaced in the Kingsclere Stakes for two-year-old fillies on June 22, 1950. Queen of Sheba went on to win the 1951 Cheshire Oaks and the Irish 1,000 Guineas, finished fifth in the (Epsom) Oaks and second in the Irish Oaks.
He served his apprenticeship initially with Atty Persse at Upper Lambourn. During the whole of the 1950 Flat season he had only one ride in public, but that was on a horse that he would later reflect was the best he rode during his entire career. Her name was Queen of Sheba. Eddie rode her just once, finishing unplaced in the Kingsclere Stakes for two-year-old fillies on June 22, 1950. Queen of Sheba went on to win the 1951 Cheshire Oaks and the Irish 1,000 Guineas, finished fifth in the (Epsom) Oaks and second in the Irish Oaks.
When Persse retired, Eddie returned to Ireland, his indentures having been transferred to Kevin Kerr, who trained a large (for those times) string of 50 horses at his stables in Clonee, Co. Meath. Prior to taking up training, Kerr, who was also a fully qualified vet, had played soccer for leading amateur team Bohemians during the 1930s and 1940s, captaining the club in 1942. He won three classics during his career, taking the 1953 Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish St Leger with Sea Charger and the 1965 Irish 2000 Guineas with Golden Banner.
When Persse retired, Eddie returned to Ireland, his indentures having been transferred to Kevin Kerr, who trained a large (for those times) string of 50 horses at his stables in Clonee, Co. Meath. Prior to taking up training, Kerr, who was also a fully qualified vet, had played soccer for leading amateur team Bohemians during the 1930s and 1940s, captaining the club in 1942. He won three classics during his career, taking the 1953 Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish St Leger with Sea Charger and the 1965 Irish 2000 Guineas with Golden Banner.
It was for Kerr that Eddie rode his first winner, a horse called On High, at Mullingar on July 26, 1952. He rode three more winners in Ireland, including Chanterelle at Navan on August 19, 1953 for trainer Charles Prendergast.
It was for Kerr that Eddie rode his first winner, a horse called On High, at Mullingar on July 26, 1952. He rode three more winners in Ireland, including Chanterelle at Navan on August 19, 1953 for trainer Charles Prendergast.
He had a brief spell riding in Trinidad but disliked the Caribbean lifestyle and didn’t stay long.
He had a brief spell riding in Trinidad but disliked the Caribbean lifestyle and didn’t stay long.
Returning to Britain in the mid-1950s, Eddie combined riding on the Flat and over jumps. His first winner in England came on Seven Spades in a Catterick novices’ hurdle on December 8, 1956 for former dual Grand National-winning jockey Arthur Thompson, who was by then training at East Keswick, near Leeds.
Returning to Britain in the mid-1950s, Eddie combined riding on the Flat and over jumps. His first winner in England came on Seven Spades in a Catterick novices’ hurdle on December 8, 1956 for former dual Grand National-winning jockey Arthur Thompson, who was by then training at East Keswick, near Leeds.
Eddie rode two winners on the Flat in Britain, the first on Cunard for Wetherby trainer William Newton at Doncaster in June 1957, the second on Gallant Scholar for another Wetherby trainer, Percy Vasey, at Carlisle in July 1958. The remainder of his successes were gained over jumps.
Eddie rode two winners on the Flat in Britain, the first on Cunard for Wetherby trainer William Newton at Doncaster in June 1957, the second on Gallant Scholar for another Wetherby trainer, Percy Vasey, at Carlisle in July 1958. The remainder of his successes were gained over jumps.
The Dick Curran-trained Fellermelad became Eddie’s tenth winner when winning a Liverpool handicap hurdle in December 1958, resulting in his claim being reduced from 7lb to 5lb. He rode his sole winner over fences on Patrick’s Walk in a Market Rasen novices’ chase on Easter Monday 1960, the rest of his wins being in hurdle races.
The Dick Curran-trained Fellermelad became Eddie’s tenth winner when winning a Liverpool handicap hurdle in December 1958, resulting in his claim being reduced from 7lb to 5lb. He rode his sole winner over fences on Patrick’s Walk in a Market Rasen novices’ chase on Easter Monday 1960, the rest of his wins being in hurdle races.
His best season numerically came in 1960/61 when he rode four winners from 33 rides, these comprising a brace of early season victories on novice hurdler Magnifitant, and two on the Tommy Dent-trained selling hurdler Royal Course, the second of these coming at Market Rasen on March 4, 1961 (left). That was the last of Eddie’s 16 winners as a jockey, although he continued to ride until the end of the 1965/66 season.
His best season numerically came in 1960/61 when he rode four winners from 33 rides, these comprising a brace of early season victories on novice hurdler Magnifitant, and two on the Tommy Dent-trained selling hurdler Royal Course, the second of these coming at Market Rasen on March 4, 1961 (left). That was the last of Eddie’s 16 winners as a jockey, although he continued to ride until the end of the 1965/66 season.
In 1965 he married Lillian, who was always known as Ena. They were to have three children, Josephine, Jedd and Irene. By the time of their marriage, Eddie had taken out a trainer’s licence, initially being based at Thorneycroft Stables, Boston Spa and achieving his first success with Chinese Pintail in a Warwick selling hurdle on February 28, 1966.
In 1965 he married Lillian, who was always known as Ena. They were to have three children, Josephine, Jedd and Irene. By the time of their marriage, Eddie had taken out a trainer’s licence, initially being based at Thorneycroft Stables, Boston Spa and achieving his first success with Chinese Pintail in a Warwick selling hurdle on February 28, 1966.
He moved yards to Rigton Carr Stables, Bardsey, near Leeds, where he stayed for three years before relocating at Middlethorpe Hall Stables at Bishopthorpe, near York.
He moved yards to Rigton Carr Stables, Bardsey, near Leeds, where he stayed for three years before relocating at Middlethorpe Hall Stables at Bishopthorpe, near York.
He trained his share of winners during his five years with a licence. The likes of hurdler Rigton Caprice and chaser Iras won several races between them, while potentially the best of all Eddie’s horses, Rippingale, was fatally injured when falling at Kelso on the last day of April 1969, having earlier that month won over hurdles and fences within the space of a week. That Kelso fall also ended the career of Eddie’s stable jockey John Blair.
He trained his share of winners during his five years with a licence. The likes of hurdler Rigton Caprice and chaser Iras won several races between them, while potentially the best of all Eddie’s horses, Rippingale, was fatally injured when falling at Kelso on the last day of April 1969, having earlier that month won over hurdles and fences within the space of a week. That Kelso fall also ended the career of Eddie’s stable jockey John Blair.
Eddie O’Keeffe died on December 15, 2001. His son Jedd – to whom I am grateful for supplying information for this article – now trains a string of around 20 at Highbeck, Brecongill, near Leyburn in North Yorkshire, and has enjoyed most successful season of his career so far in 2015.
Eddie O’Keeffe died on December 15, 2001. His son Jedd – to whom I am grateful for supplying information for this article – now trains a string of around 20 at Highbeck, Brecongill, near Leyburn in North Yorkshire, and has enjoyed most successful season of his career so far in 2015.
Eddie O’Keeffe’s British winners were in chronological order:
Eddie O’Keeffe’s British winners were in chronological order:
Seven Spades, Catterick, December 8, 1956
Seven Spades, Catterick, December 8, 1956
Cunard, Doncaster, June 28, 1957
Cunard, Doncaster, June 28, 1957
Theologian, Catterick, January 11, 1958
Theologian, Catterick, January 11, 1958
Theologian, Doncaster, February 1, 1958
Theologian, Doncaster, February 1, 1958
Gallant Scholar, Carlisle, July 3, 1958
Gallant Scholar, Carlisle, July 3, 1958
Fellermelad, Liverpool, December 3, 1958
Fellermelad, Liverpool, December 3, 1958
Mackesons, Carlisle, October 5, 1959
Mackesons, Carlisle, October 5, 1959
Patrick’s Walk, Market Rasen, April 18, 1960
Patrick’s Walk, Market Rasen, April 18, 1960
Magnifitant, Perth, September 22, 1960
Magnifitant, Perth, September 22, 1960
Magnifitant, Carlisle, October 10, 1960
Magnifitant, Carlisle, October 10, 1960
Royal Course, Birmingham, November 1, 1960
Royal Course, Birmingham, November 1, 1960
Royal Course, Market Rasen, March 4, 1961
Royal Course, Market Rasen, March 4, 1961