Huge Cheltenham win for Irish jockey who was stranded in Dubai
An Irish jockey who was left stranded in Dubai after the crisis in the Middle East has won his race on day 2 of Cheltenham.
Colin Keane was one of several jockeys who were stuck in Dubai last week after having taken part in a race meet at the Meydan Racecourse in the UAE as the crisis between the US and Iran kicked off.
Keane’s father, Gerry, said his son described the Iranian strikes in Dubai as ‘an earthquake’ before he could make it to England in time for the sport’s most prestigious Festival.
Colin Keane celebrates on The Moune Rambler after winning the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
He rode and won the Champion Bumper, the last race of Day Two of the Festival, on Mourne Rambler, who went out at 15/2.
Speaking to Racing TV afterwards, Keane spoke about finally completing a childhood dream.
‘No, it’s brilliant. It’s Cheltenham. Every child or every jockey grows up watching a flat or jump, I’d imagine. I definitely did. So to get the opportunity to ride at Cheltenham was unbelievable, and to have a winner is even better.’
Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Keane is normally a jump jockey, so to win the only flat chase of the Festival was a surprise to many. He spoke about how the opportunity came about with trainer Noel Meade.
‘I was in Dundalk one Friday night. I had missed a call from him [Noel Meade], and I rang him back in between races, and he asked me, “Would you have any interest in riding in the bumper in Cheltenham?”
‘I said, of course I would. He said, “Go away and get your licence sorted.” I said, Fine. A few days later, I had it sorted.’
The Mourne Rambler, with Colin Keane up, after crossing the line to win the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
When asked if he could compare the race and atmosphere to anything he’d experienced before, Keane gave another popular Irish festival as an answer.
‘I suppose the hustle and bustle is probably similar to Galway, like the mile races around there with big fields can be pretty rough.’
