Keagan Kirkby, a West Country point-to-point rider and a member of Paul Nicholls' team, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent on Sunday.
Kirkby, 25, joined Nicholls' yard in 2019 and had been an integral part of the team, having been shortlisted for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards this year.
A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund said: "It is with deep sadness that we have to report that West Country point-to-point rider, Keagan Kirkby, 25, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent today.
"His horse, trained locally, ran out through the wing of a fence on the second circuit of the final race. The on-course medical team attended immediately and despite additional support from a 999 helicopter emergency services crew, he could not be saved.
"We kindly ask that everyone respects the privacy of Keagan’s family and the team at Paul Nicholls Racing at this tragic time."
In a post on his X account, Nicholls said: "Life is so hard sometimes, winners are totally insignificant compared to what has happened today. Sadly Keagan Kirkby, one of our best, hardworking lads, lost his life today riding in a point-to-point. All at team Ditcheat are mortified. Thoughts with all his friends and family.
"He was passionate about his job and his riding and rode Afadil every day. Last thing he said to me on Friday was, 'Boss Afadil will win tomorrow'. How right he was. RIP Keag, we will all miss you terribly."
Keagan Kirkby, a West Country point-to-point rider and a member of Paul Nicholls' team, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent on Sunday.
Kirkby, 25, joined Nicholls' yard in 2019 and had been an integral part of the team, having been shortlisted for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards this year.
A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund said: "It is with deep sadness that we have to report that West Country point-to-point rider, Keagan Kirkby, 25, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent today.
"His horse, trained locally, ran out through the wing of a fence on the second circuit of the final race. The on-course medical team attended immediately and despite additional support from a 999 helicopter emergency services crew, he could not be saved.
"We kindly ask that everyone respects the privacy of Keagan’s family and the team at Paul Nicholls Racing at this tragic time."
In a post on his X account, Nicholls said: "Life is so hard sometimes, winners are totally insignificant compared to what has happened today. Sadly Keagan Kirkby, one of our best, hardworking lads, lost his life today riding in a point-to-point. All at team Ditcheat are mortified. Thoughts with all his friends and family.
"He was passionate about his job and his riding and rode Afadil every day. Last thing he said to me on Friday was, 'Boss Afadil will win tomorrow'. How right he was. RIP Keag, we will all miss you terribly."
A Just Giving Fund was set up within a matter of days of Keegan's sad demise with a view to raising £5k to pay for the funeral and a memorial. The fund currently stands at over £50k. Great effort from those involved in racing and I would hope that some of any residual is given to the Injured Jockeys Fund. Without them we wouldn't have racing and those unsung heroes deserve our support.
That's a 35.13% win rate and 56.76% for winning or placing.
I can only think that he is being so sparingly used because Tom Lacey, the trainer who retains him, doesn't want him to lose his claim by riding for outside stables. This is reflected in that his win today on Chankaya (4/1) is the first he's had on a non Lacey trained animal. It is also evident, given Iles only shows a level stake profit of £3.98 from 12 wins and 34 rides for Lacey, that he is only utilised by his handler for those horses with a serious chance.
Anyway, Iles' next booked rides are Come On Teddy for Tom George in tomorrow's Doncaster 2.35 and Tune In A Box for Lacey in the Warwick 2.15 on Friday (final decs yet to be declared so might not run).
That's a 35.13% win rate and 56.76% for winning or placing.
I can only think that he is being so sparingly used because Tom Lacey, the trainer who retains him, doesn't want him to lose his claim by riding for outside stables. This is reflected in that his win today on Chankaya (4/1) is the first he's had on a non Lacey trained animal. It is also evident, given Iles only shows a level stake profit of £3.98 from 12 wins and 34 rides for Lacey, that he is only utilised by his handler for those horses with a serious chance.
Anyway, Iles' next booked rides are Come On Teddy for Tom George in tomorrow's Doncaster 2.35 and Tune In A Box for Lacey in the Warwick 2.15 on Friday (final decs yet to be declared so might not run).
Was 7/1 originally with some bookies but Bet365 ducked it at 11/2. It's now as short as 4/1 with a few of them but Bet365 stand firm at 11/2.
Edit - despite the fact that the Come On Teddy is well handicapped on old form with this useful 7lb claimer on board, at a best price 4/1 in what is an extremely competitive, all value has now left the building
That's a 35.13% win rate and 56.76% for winning or placing.
I can only think that he is being so sparingly used because Tom Lacey, the trainer who retains him, doesn't want him to lose his claim by riding for outside stables. This is reflected in that his win today on Chankaya (4/1) is the first he's had on a non Lacey trained animal. It is also evident, given Iles only shows a level stake profit of £3.98 from 12 wins and 34 rides for Lacey, that he is only utilised by his handler for those horses with a serious chance.
Anyway, Iles' next booked rides are Come On Teddy for Tom George in tomorrow's Doncaster 2.35 and Tune In A Box for Lacey in the Warwick 2.15 on Friday (final decs yet to be declared so might not run).
Was 7/1 originally with some bookies but Bet365 ducked it at 11/2. It's now as short as 4/1 with a few of them but Bet365 stand firm at 11/2.
Edit - despite the fact that the Come On Teddy is well handicapped on old form with this useful 7lb claimer on board, at a best price 4/1 in what is an extremely competitive, all value has now left the building
Went off 10/3 fav. Finished a well beaten 2nd and would have been 3rd but for a faller. Still a small profit with the EW at 7/1.
Tune In A Box hasn't been declared on Friday so Isles doesn't have a ride in the next couple of days.
Cameron Isles, on what was his first ride for more than a week, has just hacked up on Della Casa Lunga at 2/1 for the in-form Boultbee-Brooks stable. Quite why he isn't being utilised more remains a mystery to me especially as his retained trainer, Tom Lacey, is seemingly now allowing him the odd outside ride and he can do 9-10. His record in the last year now reads:
The leader of the Jockeys Championship, Harry Cobden, has a strike rate of 23% and no jockey in the top 100 plus jockeys can match Isles' 39% (10 wins from 26 rides) - someone like James Best has had just one more win in the last year than Iles for another 254 more rides!
was looking to go to the dublin racing festival again next year BUT in there wisdom they have put ireland vs england in the 6 nations on in dublin the same weekend, flights now pretty pricey and town will be so busy so giving it a swerve anyone ever done the punchestown festival in april?
Stefano Cherchi, former apprentice to Marco Botti and who rode more than 100 winners here, has tragically passed away following a fall in Australia at the age of just 23.
Stefano Cherchi, former apprentice to Marco Botti and who rode more than 100 winners here, has tragically passed away following a fall in Australia at the age of just 23.
RIP
very promising young rider, this is terrible news .. R I P Marco
I backed a horse that happened to be owned by Harry Redknapp today (not the reason I backed it). To say I was less than amused with the ride is an understatement. The Stewards took the same view. And rightly so.
An enquiry was held into the running and riding of NORTHERN AIR (IRE), ridden by Paddy Brennan, and trained by Fergal O’Brien, which was held up in rear, before beginning to improve its position racing down the side of the course and then continuing its progress through the field under apparent tender handling up the home straight to finish second of ten runners, beaten by 3¼ lengths. The rider and trainer’s representative were interviewed, and the trainer was interviewed by telephone and recordings of the race were shown. The Veterinary Officer performed two post-race examinations of the mare and had nothing to report on both occasions. The rider stated that his instructions were to switch NORTHERN AIR (IRE) off and take his time as the mare ran extremely keen in her previous race, before weakening in the final furlong, a national hunt flat race at Newbury. Brennan explained that the objective for today’s run was to drop NORTHERN AIR (IRE) out and to get her to finish her race strongly as she was ridden handier at Newbury which resulted in the mare emptying out and finishing the race fairly distressed. He stated that the mare raced keenly throughout and that as he began to make up ground turning into the home straight, he heard NORTHERN AIR (IRE) make a respiratory noise. Brennan continued that being mindful that it was the mare’s first run over hurdles, he wanted to ensure NORTHERN AIR (IRE) finished her race more positively and therefore focused on keeping the bit up in her mouth, being patient and riding her up the straight to hit the line. Brennan reported that he was happy with the mare’s run as she had finished her race strongly today. Both the trainer and trainer’s representative confirmed the instructions and were satisfied the ride accorded with those instructions. Brennan was suspended for 18 days and O’Brien fined £4000 for schooling and conditioning the horse on the racecourse in that Brennan had failed to ride his mount in such a way that he could be seen to ask for timely, real and substantial effort to obtain the best possible placing on NORTHERN AIR (IRE) which was having its first run over hurdles today. NORTHERN AIR (IRE) was suspended from running in any race for 40 days.
Possibly not but we'll never know because the second fav wasn't given a chance to do so given that it was 20 plus lengths off the pace for the duration until coming to the second last (when Northern Air even made a mistake that stopped its progression). That is why the Stewards imposed the maximum penalties, that they are allowed to, of an 18 day suspension for the jockey, £4000 fine for the trainer and 40 day ban for the horse, for "schooling and conditioning the horse on the racecourse in that Brennan had failed to ride his mount in such a way that he could be seen to ask for timely, real and substantial effort to obtain the best possible placing".
The winner is a 116 rated hurdler and this was its seventh run under Rules and fourth as a hurdler. Northern Air had appeared in one bumper and this was its first as a hurdler. I wouldn't mind betting that Northern Air will prove to be in a short space of time to be the better horse.
I'm not talking through my pocket because I've long since taken this as part and parcel of the game. Where I have an issue is when the Stewards do not take any action to what is blatant schooling. They have done so and in doing that the focus will be on no just Northern Air but other Brennan/O'Brien horses who are given similar orders. I'm sure that Betfair will be asked by the BHA to look at who layed the horse to the extent that, having been 5/2 with the bookies in the morning, it returned a BSP of 8.31
Seeing the daughter of Tom, granddaughter of Peter and great-granddaughter of Michael riding at Wolverhampton has suddenly made me feel rather old. They must all have had their respective children as teenagers as far as I'm concerned!
Voyage crossed the line first but, sadly, no jockey on his back. I went for City Of Troy to win and Tabletalk each way as the odds on Tabletalk were generous.
Had 3 notifications on me betting apps this morning bet 365 restrictions place and withdrawing money back to me. That’s 2nd account had restricted with bet 365. Tote emailed saying banned from all free promotions and sky won’t let one of me accounts enter ITV 7. 🤪anyone would have thought I’d have skint them over the weekend.
Must be time of year they check accounts to see if there making money or not.
So three bookmakers restrict you at roughly the same time and you say it may be the time of year - remarkably coincidental. One of your accounts with the Sky? You are only supposed to have one account!
Like ouzo in the next... 48/1 on the exchange and can get 22s on sky bet, paying 7 places. Won last 3 races on good/good to firm. Probably won't win, but price seems too big
Comments
Keagan Kirkby, a West Country point-to-point rider and a member of Paul Nicholls' team, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent on Sunday.
Kirkby, 25, joined Nicholls' yard in 2019 and had been an integral part of the team, having been shortlisted for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards this year.
A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund said: "It is with deep sadness that we have to report that West Country point-to-point rider, Keagan Kirkby, 25, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent today.
"His horse, trained locally, ran out through the wing of a fence on the second circuit of the final race. The on-course medical team attended immediately and despite additional support from a 999 helicopter emergency services crew, he could not be saved.
"We kindly ask that everyone respects the privacy of Keagan’s family and the team at Paul Nicholls Racing at this tragic time."
In a post on his X account, Nicholls said: "Life is so hard sometimes, winners are totally insignificant compared to what has happened today. Sadly Keagan Kirkby, one of our best, hardworking lads, lost his life today riding in a point-to-point. All at team Ditcheat are mortified. Thoughts with all his friends and family.
"He was passionate about his job and his riding and rode Afadil every day. Last thing he said to me on Friday was, 'Boss Afadil will win tomorrow'. How right he was. RIP Keag, we will all miss you terribly."
Rides - 37
Wins - 13
Placed 2nd - 7
Placed 3rd - 1
Unplaced - 16
That's a 35.13% win rate and 56.76% for winning or placing.
I can only think that he is being so sparingly used because Tom Lacey, the trainer who retains him, doesn't want him to lose his claim by riding for outside stables. This is reflected in that his win today on Chankaya (4/1) is the first he's had on a non Lacey trained animal. It is also evident, given Iles only shows a level stake profit of £3.98 from 12 wins and 34 rides for Lacey, that he is only utilised by his handler for those horses with a serious chance.
Anyway, Iles' next booked rides are Come On Teddy for Tom George in tomorrow's Doncaster 2.35 and Tune In A Box for Lacey in the Warwick 2.15 on Friday (final decs yet to be declared so might not run).
Edit - despite the fact that the Come On Teddy is well handicapped on old form with this useful 7lb claimer on board, at a best price 4/1 in what is an extremely competitive, all value has now left the building
Tune In A Box hasn't been declared on Friday so Isles doesn't have a ride in the next couple of days.
Rides - 39
Wins - 14
Placed 2nd - 8
Placed 3rd - 1
Unplaced - 16
The leader of the Jockeys Championship, Harry Cobden, has a strike rate of 23% and no jockey in the top 100 plus jockeys can match Isles' 39% (10 wins from 26 rides) - someone like James Best has had just one more win in the last year than Iles for another 254 more rides!
RIP
Possibly not but we'll never know because the second fav wasn't given a chance to do so given that it was 20 plus lengths off the pace for the duration until coming to the second last (when Northern Air even made a mistake that stopped its progression). That is why the Stewards imposed the maximum penalties, that they are allowed to, of an 18 day suspension for the jockey, £4000 fine for the trainer and 40 day ban for the horse, for "schooling and conditioning the horse on the racecourse in that Brennan had failed to ride his mount in such a way that he could be seen to ask for timely, real and substantial effort to obtain the best possible placing".
The winner is a 116 rated hurdler and this was its seventh run under Rules and fourth as a hurdler. Northern Air had appeared in one bumper and this was its first as a hurdler. I wouldn't mind betting that Northern Air will prove to be in a short space of time to be the better horse.
I'm not talking through my pocket because I've long since taken this as part and parcel of the game. Where I have an issue is when the Stewards do not take any action to what is blatant schooling. They have done so and in doing that the focus will be on no just Northern Air but other Brennan/O'Brien horses who are given similar orders. I'm sure that Betfair will be asked by the BHA to look at who layed the horse to the extent that, having been 5/2 with the bookies in the morning, it returned a BSP of 8.31
RIP
RIP Shishkin