Meath Sports Awards... Colin Keane smashes record on way to title
There's a humility about Colin Keane that enhances his burgeoning reputation even further.
Not only is the Trim man one of the most liked and respected jockeys on the racing scene, he is also the best in the business and his record-breaking performance in reclaiming the Champion jockey title in 2021 underlines that fact.
When Joseph O'Brien rode 126 winners to win the jockeys’ title in 2013 many thought that number would never be surpassed considering O'Brien's phenomenal talent and the strength in depth of the talent at his disposal from the famous Ballydoyle yard.
When Keane won his first jockey's championship in 2017 he did it with 100 winners. In 2019 he landed 103 winners but had to settle for second place behind the latest from the O'Brien dynasty, Donnacha.
A year later Keane made it 100 winners again to reclaim the title, but in 2021 the Trim man smashed all records when he became the quickest to ride 100 winners on the 28th August, a record also held by Joseph O'Brien.
With 100 winners in the bag by late August Keane set his sights on Joseph O'Brien's record number of 126 and at his most successful track, Dundalk, on Friday 8th October the Meath man equalled the record when Torn, the third reserve, landed the opening two-year-old fillies maiden.
With the record equalled Keane typically heaped praise on others.
“It’s brilliant to get it. I’m in a very lucky position, riding nice horses for a lot of good people, and having a good agent. It’s been an unbelievable season and to get to this number is unbelievable,” he said.
Keane didn't have to wait long to break the record as two years later he rode Power Under Me in the Listed Testimonial Stakes at the Curragh and he quickly moved onto 128 when Pretty Boy Floyd also scored at the Kildare track. "It hasn't sunk in and probably won't until we start on zero next year and we're looking back on it all.
“We try to beat last season's tally every year but we mightn't have a year like this again for a while so we'll appreciate it while it's here," he said.
With three weeks of the season remaining Keane added 13 more winners, including a double on the last day of the campaign at Naas, the last coming on board Team Of Firsts for his boss Ger Lyons.