Emerging young trainer looking for Ipswich joy

By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba’s Nick Keal was once a rising star in the state’s apprentice jockey ranks until weight problems ended a promising career in the saddle.

His last race ride came in January, 2023 at Warwick, and now he has taken on his new profession as a trainer with the same enthusiasm - fast making a name for himself on the Darling Downs.

Keal rode for many trainers during his time in the saddle but it was close friends, Toowoomba trainer Bob Davis and Kevin Kemp, who were behind his decision to take out a trainer’s licence.

Fast forward to now and the decision to train has been rewarding as the emerging young conditioner has a near 16 per cent strike rate with 55 wins and 148 placings from 350 starters.

With 11 wins from 63 starters this season, Keal is currently striking at 17.5 per cent which is proof of his consistency.

While Keal’s riding career ended earlier than he planned, the 28-year-old trainer is enjoying the challenge of training.

“I love it and it’s very enjoyable,” Keal said.

“I never wanted to give up riding but with my weight I had to.”

Keal currently has a team of 20 in work and will head to Ipswich on Thursday with a small team of two with Irama starting in the Class 5 Handicap and Igotmymindonyou in the Class 3 Handicap.

A five-year-old son of I Am Invincible, Irama failed to fire in his only start for champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller before he passed through the stables of Stu Kendrick, Mark Currie and Billy Healy.

Irama had won only three times for his previous trainers before Keal took over in May this year.

Under his guidance, Irama has won two of his six starts - both at Toowoomba - and is coming off a well beaten 10th behind the Troy Pascoe-trained Propaganda in a 1200-metre Benchmark race at Doomben on October 17.

“He was caught three deep the whole trip last start but he went worse than I expected,” Keal said.

“When he comes to the end of his campaigns, it’s the end.

“He laid it a lot at Doomben so I got a chiropractor in to check him over and he found his neck was out but he’s fine now.

“If you forget his last run, he should be right in the picture at Ipswich.”

Keal also is hopeful of a strong performance from Igotmymindonyou, who is chasing a hat-trick of wins following his last start victory at Toowoomba on October 24.

“He’s very fast and should take some beating in this race,” Keal said.