Keith Sims

Keith Sims

Article by Alan Trout

Keith Richard Sims had 14 wins in a career that started when riding for Willie Stephenson, who had won both the Derby and the Grand National as a trainer. 

It was at Market Rasen on October 20, 1978 that Keith had his first ride over jumps when unseated from Doubtful George at the second flight in the Kingerby Hurdle. Just under a year later came his first victory when Fine Bird took the lead two flights from home and was ridden out to land the Paulerspury Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Towcester on October 6, 1979.  

Keith then had three wins in 23 days on Stephenson’s handicap hurdler Boardman’s Special at Leicester, Southwell and Uttoxeter. They finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length, in a competitive handicap hurdle at Sandown in January 1980, then finished unplaced in Newbury’s Schweppes Gold Trophy, followed by sixth in the Monksfield Handicap Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.

Keith failed to ride a winner the following season but fared better in 1981/82 with five victories. He then endured another lean spell before winning three times on novice hurdler Tachyros at Southwell in the 1984/85 season. 

His final win came at Warwick on November 28, 1985, when the three-year-old filly Taylor’s Renovation, making her debut over jumps, took the lead on the flat and beat Pooella by two length in the Longbridge Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. Keith had two more rides on her but was unplaced on both occasions. Although he held a licence for at least two more seasons he did not add to his total. 

Keith Sims’ winners were, in chronological order:

1. Fine Bird, Towcester, October 6, 1979

2. Boardman’s Special, Leicester, November 28, 1979

3. Boardman’s Special, Southwell, November 26, 1979

4. Boardman’s Special, Uttoxeter, December 13, 1979

5. Oparau, Market Rasen, August 29, 1981

6. Oparau, Southwell, August 31, 1981

7. Trent Valley, Leicester, January 25, 1982

8. Kibcoy, Ayr, February 12, 1982

9. Whatton Marina, Market Rasen, May 8, 1982

10. Sentry Man, Leicester, January 2, 1984

11. Tachyros, Southwell, October 8, 1984

12. Tachyros, Southwell, April 6, 1985

13. Tachyros, Southwell, May 6, 1985

14. Taylor’s Renovation, Warwick, November 28, 1985