‘No one thinks I can do it' – Legendary Cheltenham Festival jockey makes shock comeback after 14 years

The Irish Sun

15 hours ago

It's a name that will certainly ring a bell
RAN TO GLORY 'No one thinks I can do it' – Legendary Cheltenham Festival jockey makes shock comeback after 14 years
A LEGENDARY Cheltenham Festival jockey who found more fame as a trainer is to make an incredible racing return after 14 years.
Keiran Burke rode a winner at jumps racing's biggest meeting and trained the iconic Hunt Ball on his remarkable winning run.
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Keiran Burke is one of the few to have ridden a winner at Cheltenham Festival - here on Holmwood Legend - and trained one
Credit: Getty
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Anthony Knott owner of Hunt Ball, jockey Nick Schofield and trainer Keiran Burke after their victory in the Pulteney Land Investments Novices Handicap Steeple Chase during day one of the 2012 Cheltenham Festival
Credit: Alamy
Now, after being teased by stable lads and lasses at his Dorset base, he is all set to dust off his whip and goggles for Newmarket this Saturday.
And he even says victory in the world's longest Flat race - which has been reduced in distance owing to the dry ground - would eclipse his achievements at Cheltenham.
Burke, now 39, won the 2011 Plate on Holmwood Legend for late trainer Pat Rodford.
The victory was dubbed one of the 'romantic' tales of the week with the 25-1 outsider storming home by three lengths.
But his career in the saddle ended in a life-threatening incident when he was 'double-barrelled' by a spooked horse.
Burke had splashed some cash at the Cheltenham sales and was trotting the new purchase at home when it got spooked.
Intent on catching the tearaway, Burke ran after it but the horse kicked him with both its hind legs.
He was in intensive care for a week with a ruptured spleen and was so weak he couldn't walk.
Burke recovered in time to train the Anthony Knott-owned Hunt Ball, who went from a lowly 69-rated chaser to Cheltenham Festival winner.
The horse won seven of eight races in the 2011-12 season - including the Listed Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase at the Festival - before finishing third in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree off 154.
But Burke insists winning the Newmarket Town Plate - which has been run since 1666 - would top the lot.
Especially as he is taking on good friend and rival trainer Tim Vaughan.
Burke said: "All the staff said I couldn't do it, so I had to prove them wrong.
"It was probably about three months ago that it came on the agenda but, originally, I was a reserve.
"I was then put in as someone else pulled out, so it has been a bit all last minute to get everything sorted to go and do it.
"I think it would give me loads more satisfaction winning this than winning at the Cheltenham Festival.
"I've not had a massive chance to think about it too much, and what it means, but it is starting to sink in a little bit more now.
"I think all those old memories will be flooding back, but it is even better there are not eight flights of hurdles to negotiate!"
"I've got one thing I need to get done and that is to beat Tim Vaughan.
"We have not had a side bet on this, but from what I've seen he is taking this very seriously.
"I was up at Newmarket at the weekend, and I was having a drink with Josephine Gordon and she texted Tim a picture of me drinking a pint for my preparation when he has been all over Instagram going running and stuff.
"If Tim Vaughan is last and I'm second last I will be delighted!
"I don't know about being in good shape, but I got going when I was first going to go for it then I backed off as I wasn't doing it, but now I am doing I've had to get on with it.
"I've not been drinking so much or eating so much.
"I've had to lose about half-a-stone which wasn't too bad.
"I passed the fitness test, but that nearly killed me, however I got through it in the end.
"The horse I'm riding is called Chedington's Guest. He is not the easiest horse, but he will be OK.
"He was placed in a bumper at Taunton last April and he is a nice horse.
"I got the best one eligible out of my lot I could find for the race.
"The owners are coming up and so is my son, but as it is on a Saturday unfortunately the staff will have to stay at home and work.
"I think it will be a laugh and good fun hopefully.
"It has been a long time since I retired. I just need to make sure my legs are still working near the end of it."
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