Tributes have been paid to Keagan Kirkby, the Somerset-based point-to-point jockey who worked for Paul Nicholls, who died when his mount Westtara ran out through the wing of a fence during the Restricted race at Charing in Kent on Sunday.
A version of this article was first published on Racing Post online on Monday 5th February
Kirkby – 25 – from Midsomer Norton in Somerset, started his career in racing with three years with Jeremy Scott and had his first rides on his own horse, Lad From Highworth. He then went to work for Will Biddick and had spent the last five years with Nicholls. He didn’t ride his first winner – Ask For Glory – until his fiftieth ride, following which his career started to take off with five winners last season, including a treble at Aldington on Easter Monday. His sixth, and final, victory came on Imperial Esprit (pictured above) at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve.
Four of Kirkby’s winners were for Rob Varnham, who described the young jockey as "a wonderful person inside and out". Varnham, who is based at Gunshot Paddocks in Guildford, was introduced to the jockey ten months ago and provided him with four of his six winners between the flags. He also regarded him as a close family friend.
Kirkby (left) with Rob and Lucie Varnham, fellow jockey Daniel Kyne (right) and Trappist Monk, part of his Easter Monday treble (Caroline Exelby)
Varnham said, "Keagan was a lovely jockey, kind to the horses, and rode them very well. He was very understanding and helpful – one of life's good guys, a wonderful person inside and out. He'd come down and school the horses for us, a two-and-a-half-hour drive, and then he'd go back and do evening stables. He loved what he was doing, was always smiling, had a great personality, and you could talk to him about anything. If you ever had a problem, you could call him and speak to him about it, and he had time for everybody."
Kirkby riding work on Count Simon, on whom he also won at Aldington last season (Caroline Exelby)
Kirkby was shortlisted for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, which recognise the contribution stable staff make to the sport. BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said: "We are devastated to hear the tragic news regarding the fatal injuries sustained by Keagan Kirkby. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and everyone at the yard of Paul Nicholls. The esteem in which he was held is clear from the fact that he was nominated for the Rider/Groom category of the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, and made it through to the final ten in his category. We call on everyone to respect the privacy of Keagan's family and the Paul Nicholls yard."
The point-to-point fixtures taking place this weekend will be paying tribute to Kirkby by holding a minute's silence.
A JustGiving page was set up on Monday to help towards Kirkby's funeral and a memorial in his honour. Jockeys including Freddie Gingell, Niall Houlihan, Sam Twiston-Davies and Nick Scholfield are among those who have made donations, along with trainers, owners and the racing public. The page had initially aimed to raise £5,000, but donations had soared to more than £27,000 by Tuesday afternoon.
To donate to Keagan Kirkby's funeral and memorial fund, click here
For help and support, you can call Racing Welfare's racing support line on 0800 6300443, or the Injured Jockeys Fund/Sporting Chance helpline on 07780 00877
