A gathering in Wincanton on Sunday to remember the late Keegan Kirkby raised more than £100,000 for charity.
Kirkby, 25, who worked for Paul Nicholls near Ditchit, tragically died after collapsing at Charing Point in February.
His death had a huge impact on the racing community locally and beyond and a seven-race card was staged at Wincanton on Sunday to celebrate his life and raise money for racing welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund.
A charity race was organized in his name, attended by many of his friends, and eventually won by thoroughbred agent and former jockey Tom Malone riding Joe Tizzard’s Alexei.
Malone single-handedly raised £35,000 for the charity, with Kirkby’s best friends Joe Wroe and Alfie Shalliker in second and third place.
The latter, who lived with Kirkby, said: “We miss him every day and the world is a sad place without him. It was very emotional, but more celebratory than sad. Because he was a great man and we celebrate that. “I feel good and proud because I walk in his memory. Like I said, I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed it. “They’d tell me I’d done it all wrong!
“Nicholls added: “It’s hard to put into words the tragedy of that day and the void Keagan has left in our lives, his family and the whole team at Ditcheat. I was in Musselburgh when I got the call and it just hit me. There are 6 people in total. I can’t imagine that happening to anyone, but he was doing what he loved.
“The team, all the young players, had a huge impact on them. Alfie was his best mate and was hit particularly hard. Racing Welfare, and especially Lucinda Gould, who works for Racing Welfare, worked for us and looked after Denman and did a great job looking after everyone.
“Racing Welfare helps so many people. It has everything you need. It’s a huge help and it’s a huge help not only for the deck and stable staff but for everyone in the industry, everyone in racing and, as we all know, the injured. Jockey Foundation. “The more money we can raise for them while doing fantastic work, the better.”
In total, an estimated £116,000 was raised on race day, which will be split equally between the two charities. Dawn Goodfellow, CEO of Racing Welfare, said: “The Wincanton racing community wanted to do something to commemorate Keegan.
Paul Nicholls and Keagan’s family yard has obviously received a lot of support from Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockey Fund and the whole community here is grateful and wanted to do something to give back.
“As Lisa Hancock, CEO of the Injured Jockeys Foundation said, it seems like the whole West Coast is coming out here to support both charities. “Events like this raise much-needed funds so we can be there 365 days a year for everyone from racing to mental and physical health, financial support, shelter and important events in times of crisis.
We are proud of Keagan’s It was a fantastic day for my friends and colleagues and I would like to thank the committee, Wincanton Racecourse, the charity riders and of course all the sponsors.”
