Queensland beckons for ambitious English jockey

By Jordan Gerrans

If eagerness is any indicator, then Englishman Aidan Keeley is sure to be a success in the Sunshine State. 

The 24-year-old made the long trip to Queensland from the United Kingdom and had ridden at two different tracks within 48 hours of arriving in Australia. 

Keeley landed on Friday morning and was quickly to work, taking three rides at Ipswich during the day on Saturday before heading up to Toowoomba for three more engagements under lights at Clifford Park. 

“I've always had an ear into Australian racing,” Keeley said. 

“I've always kept an interest in Australian racing, I think it's so well run - it's great.

“It's a great life for a jockey over here. It's quite rewarding, if you put the work, you can get rewarded quite nicely over here, I think.

“I've always sort of liked Australian racing. I spent a little holiday here two years ago visiting some friends in Melbourne who work in racing that I knew from the UK.

“I've always kept an interest since then. It's always been in the back of my mind to come out here, make the move and give it a good go.”

Keeley will be based on the Gold Coast but says he is keen to travel to neighbouring tracks if opportunities are presented. 

According to Racing And Sports’ statistics, the English hoop has racked up more than 100 winners in his home country after debuting back in October of 2020. 

He posted a career-best season with 43 winners only recently. 

“I've had good success,” he said.

“I've rode for some big trainers in the UK. I was fortunate enough to ride in some decent races at some decent tracks.

“I won the Cambridgeshire as a five-pound claimer, which gave me a big boost in my career over in the UK.

“There are things I've got to pick up on and alter slightly just to adapt to the way of racing over here.

“I'm watching racing as much as I can, trying to learn every bit of difference that there is from racing over here to back home.

“I'm eager to make the most of this opportunity.”

Keeley is not putting a timeframe on his Australian adventure, declaring he is keen to stick around while things are going well. 

While he didn’t trouble the scorers in his maiden Australian day at the races with six rides across two meetings, he believes it will be helpful as he builds momentum in the coming weeks. 

“Everything was good, I thought the horses ran better than their odds,” he said.

“I was very happy with how the horses ran, I was happy with the track and the way of racing. Everything's very thorough and well run here. So, it's been a pleasant start.”

Keeley is being managed by long-time jockey agent Adam Brook in his new Queensland venture.

Brook, who also manages Damien Boche, Fred Larson and Danny Peisley, thinks Keeley is well placed to nab his first Australian victory in the near future. 

“He does ride very light,” Brook said.

“He's won some big feature handicaps back in England. I am delighted to represent him and he'll fit really well in. He's hardworking and reliable.”

Keeley is likely to head back to Toowoomba’s Clifford Park on Saturday evening.