As the sun sets on his very best season to date, and just days away from being crowned KZN champion jockey for the first time, up-and-coming jockey Keagan de Melo has declared that he has serious national championship aspirations next term and will be proudly competing under the Winning Form banner.
Keagan de Melo registers his 100th KZN winner of the season as Cape Eagle wins well (Pic: Candiese Lenferna)
Just 24 hours after riding Cape Eagle to victory at Hollywoodbets Greyville for his milestone century of KwaZulu-Natal winners, Keagan met with the Winning Form team at their Umhlanga HQ on Tuesday morning.
Keagan’s 100 winners in KZN have been at a strike rate of 17.61%, 32 clear of second-placed SA Champion elect Warren Kennedy on 68 (12.27%).
“I am chasing Richard Fourie for second slot on the national log at the moment and he and I are going to push each other and chase the championship next season. He is also riding under the Winning Form banner, and besides his terrific natural ability in the saddle, he has a great work ethic and attitude. It’s going to be a tough long road, but we are in it to win it!” he said.
Keagan is currently in third spot just 3 behind the superb Richard Fourie on the national log. His 188 winners (16,38%) and 49% placed runners have generated close on R18 700 000 in stakes.
Keagan was elated to be part of a brand as big as Winning Form.
“I am extremely happy to be part of the Winning Form family, and it just puts the cherry on top of what has been the best season of my career thus far,” he added.
Keagan made mention that his most memorable win came at a rather silent Durban July day back in 2020, when he brought Temple Grafin home for the Glen Kotzen stable in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes.
“The first Grade 1 is always the most memorable. I just wish there was a crowd on course like a few weeks ago at the Hollywoodbets Durban July,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
The Alberton-born jockey turns 29 on 24 September. He is married to Demi, a young lawyer, whose brother Callan recently jetted out from Australia to ride Al Muthana in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Keagan brings Black Thorn home on Hollywoodbets Durban July day (Pic: Candiese Lenferna)
Keagan rode his first winner on Western Gem for the now Korean-based Bart Rice at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 8 August 2010.
A fervent Arsenal supporter, he started his apprenticeship in 2009.
Retained by Lady Christine Laidlaw’s Khaya Stables as well as the Werners family, he is first choice rider to the powerful Dean Kannemeyer yard.
Keagan adopts a relaxed attitude to life and is on record that he is thankful for the small mercies – rather than stressed about the things that he can’t change.
He rates loyalty and integrity above all else and says both characteristics feature strongly in his career highlights so far.
Keagan’s champion qualities resonate well with the Winning Form philosophy. We welcome him to the team and wish him every success for the season ahead.
Keagan enjoys a Winning Form welcome from Caroline Hartog, Venal Naidu and Sandile Nethisa
