World urged to wake up to Irish rider: 'He's the most underrated champion jockey'
Colin Keane steered Magnum Force to victory the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar
Irish rider Colin Keane was hailed as "the most underrated champion jockey on planet earth" after riding his second Breeders' Cup winner.
The Meath jockey steered Magnum Force to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar last Friday, with the win coming four years after Keane rode Tarnawa to victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Magnum Force's delighted trainer Ger Lyons heaped praise on his jockey after the race as he urged trainers around the world to take note of the 30-year-old.
"I can't tell you all enough... he's the most understated man, he doesn't shout, he's humble, but he's the most underrated champion jockey on planet earth," said Lyons.
"He's a little bit like his trainer in that the two of us like to stay at home on our farm, walk our dogs and mind our own business, but when he comes out and gets the right ammunition he can deliver and he's proven that more than once.
"I personally would love to see him on the big stage more. Unfortunately, I can't feed him with that ammo to do that, but I need the world to wake up to him."
Magnum Force showed a superb turn of foot to win the race after taking a neat line to lose very little ground from stall four in the hands of Keane.
In the straight he was tucked behind the leaders but accelerated to pull away and secure a comfortable success on the line.
Arizona Blaze ran on at the finish to take second for Adrian Murray, making it an Irish-trained first and second, with home runner Governor Sam taking third.
“I knew he’d need some luck in running and he got it,” said Keane.
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“His last two runs in England were very good, albeit he was beaten and things didn’t really go to plan.
“We were well placed, he’s a horse with a lot of natural pace and thankfully I chose the right route in the straight.”
Lyons was delighted to see Magnum Force turnaround recent Doncaster form in the process of victory.
He said: “My horse had a late start to the season, he loves fast ground and when he ran at Doncaster, I vowed that if the horses that beat him were going to the Breeders’ Cup then we should.
“Hopefully we will get him home safe and sound, we’ll let him down and the sky will be the limit next year.”
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