Keagan De Melo

Keagan De Melo is a young man going places.  Chosen to represent the SA Jockey Academy at a recent international series in Qatar and a past winner of the academy Headmasters Award, he is clearly highly regarded for his exploits both on and off the racecourse.  With 42 winners to his name already, Keagan is fast closing in on the landmark 50 winners which will see him losing his claim.  That is a watershed moment in any young jockey’s career, but we have no doubt that with his talent and professionalism he will thrive long after he can stop knocking 1.5 kgs off his mounts’ backs.  Keagan has been given plenty of chances by several prominent KZN stables and has been particularly successful aboard the Duncan Howells-trained sprinter Tetelestai, on whom Keagan scored the biggest success of his career to date.   Keagan’s riding continues to improve as he grows in confidence, and his career is bound to blossom accordingly.

 

What is your name and age? Keagan Dion De Melo and I am 18 years old.

What is your birthdate?  I was born on the 24^th September 1993.

Where were you born? In Gauteng, South Africa.

Where do you live? I live at the South African Jockey Academy in Summerveld but I am originally from Alberton which is in Gauteng.

Tell us about your family? My dad Dion, my mom Fiona, and I have a younger sister Megan. We are a very close family and we are in contact on a daily basis. They are very big supporters of mine and for that I am truly grateful.

Do you have a ‘nickname’? Some of the other jockeys call me “Marshmallow” because of my surname de Melo / “Marshmallow”.

Favourite food? I really enjoy cooking and eating a good Portuguese Prego roll. However, on the odd occasion I would trade just about anything for a good KFC burger.

Favourite drink? I dislike coffee so anything else!

Favourite music? I am quite versatile when it comes to my music. I enjoy most types of good music just as long as it is not a soppy, sad and cheesy love song.

Favourite sport? Besides my profession HORSE RACING, I am a huge soccer fan. I also enjoy a good game of rugby.

Favourite soccer team? Take one step into my room and have a look at my bed and you will see that I am an ARSENAL supporter all the way! Go the Gunners!

What is your favourite holiday destination? I have been to Mozambique once before and it is really an awesome holiday destination. The beaches are spectacular and the food is even better. I have also just returned from a cruise on the MSC Sinfonia to the Portuguese Islands which was top class.

Briefly discuss your school days in terms of favourite subjects? I never took much interest in school so I never had favourite subjects. However, in saying that I did do exceptionally well in my matric exams and I passed with flying colours.

As a school boy did you follow horse racing and did you have any favourite horses or jockeys that you followed? At a young age I never knew much about horses or racing so my answer to this question would have to be no.

How did your interest in horse racing come about and how did you get into the academy? My father was very interested in racing and his friends suggested that I try out being a jockey. The rest is history. I applied to join the Academy and had to go to the interviews which were held at Turffontein race course. I was almost not successful in being accepted as the Academy thought I would grow more as I got older and my weight could be a problem. Thankfully, today all is good.

By the time you went to the academy had you ever ridden a horse? I had never sat on a horse or even touched one.

When did you start your apprenticeship? I joined the Academy and started my apprenticeship in 2009. I am, hopefully, due to finish at the end of 2013.

Who were your fellow apprentices at that intake? To name a few: Julius Mariba, Jason Smitsdorff and Stallone Naidoo.

Describe a typical day at the academy? I am up at 4am and get ready to ride work at the various training centres. Work is over by about 9:30am and then I return to the Academy for breakfast. I no longer go to school so the rest of my day is taken up by looking for rides, doing admin work and going to the stables in the afternoon. I must be honest, I do sometimes enjoy relaxing and watching a good movie after a hard morning’s work.

Your current riding master is Rhys van Wyk. He had a wonderful career as a jockey. How inspiring is it to be mentored by such a successful man? We are lucky to have very good riding masters who all did well as jockeys. Mr. Van Wyk is a great teacher and has helped me tremendously with my riding style.

Some time ago you received The Headmasters Award at the academy for achieving success against all odds. What was it that you had to overcome which merited you achieving this award? Well there are many contributing factors which go towards achieving this award. Working hard, riding well, politeness, manners and respect towards others and doing well at school.

Once you got into the academy which senior jockey inspired you the most? Kevin Shea.

How long were you in the academy before you competed in your first race? Tell us about that first ride? I was at the Academy for a year and a half before I had my first ride in a race. It was on a horse called Cross The T’s for trainer Lowan Denysschen. I was very nervous as I had no idea what to expect. It was an adrenaline rush and my first ride was also a qualifying ride.

Tell us about your first winner? It was Western Gem for trainer Bart Rice at Scottsville over 1000 metres. I will never forget Western Gem! It was the 4^th ride of my career. I jumped out the starting stalls well and raced up handy. He then accelerated smartly to win quite comfortably.

Which were the trainers who took the most interest in you and were prepared to help you along the way? I received a lot of support from many trainers namely: Mr. Bart Rice, Mr. Duncan Howells and Mr. Des Egdes. To this day Mr. Howells and Mr. Egdes are HUGE supporters of mine. Without their support I would not have been able to ride as many winners as I already have.

How long did it take before you were confident that you could compete against the likes of Anton Marcus, Piere Strydom, Anthony Delpech, Robbie Fradd and other top jockeys? As I ride and compete in more races my confidence is building up. Please believe me it is no easy task competing against these top jockeys.

Which tracks have you raced on and which do you like the most? I have raced at Greyville, Clairwood, Scottsville, Vaal, Turffontein, Kenilworth, Arlington, Fairview and most recently Qatar. Kenilworth and Greyville are my favourites.

How many winners have you ridden to date? I am currently on my 42^nd winner and looking forward to my 50^th and many more.

How many graded or listed winners have you ridden to date? I have not been lucky enough to ride a graded winner yet. However, I have had one competitive handicap win on July day and one Listed winner on Gold Cup day. Incidentally they were both on Tetelestai for trainer Duncan Howells.

You are getting some really good rides from various stables. Is there any chance you could, in the near future, become stable jockey to any of them? I wouldn’t say there is no chance. For now I am freelancing and things are going very well. I am available to become stable jockey to a trainer if they are willing to use me.

Which do you consider to be the best horse/horses you have won on to date? I have a very soft spot for TETELESTAI. He is full of talent and has a huge heart. FELIX THE CAT is also a very good animal.

What are your short & long term ambitions? Short term: to ride my 50^th winner as soon as I can and my long term: to become champion apprentice.

With the KZN winter season upon us which horses have you set your sights on? Felix The Cat, Tetelestai, Storm Bringer and IGUGU!

What is your most memorable moment in racing thus far? Winning on Tetelestai on both July day and Gold Cup day.

Is there anything about being a jockey that you dislike? Take being a jockey away, you take away my life. I dislike nothing about my chosen career.

What is your ideal riding mass and do you have problems maintaining it?  I am very comfortable riding at 50,5kgs. I have no problem in maintaining that weight.

You have probably noticed that many trainers and jockeys have sponsors. How important do you think it is to have a sponsor?  I feel it is very important as it is a huge help to a jockey. I am currently looking for a sponsor.

Do you do anything to keep maximum fitness apart from riding work and races? No, I ride work to keep fit.

How good a judge are you in assessing gallops? I can certainly tell the trainer if his / her horse worked well but don’t start asking me if it is ready to be punted!

Do you take an interest in the breeding side of the game and if so, which is your favourite stallion? I am not really interested in the breeding. I will leave that to the breeders and experts in that field. I do however, fancy the Captain Al’s.

If for any reason you didn’t become a jockey what would have been your alternate career option? I would have followed in my father’s footsteps and done sales and marketing.

Outside of racing do you have anything else you are passionate about? Sports.

Do you think racing is well-policed? Yes, I do indeed. I’ve had a few suspensions!

Do you have a steady girlfriend or are you concentrating on your career? Just like how I mentioned I am looking for a sponsor and a job as stable jockey, I am also looking for a girlfriend. However, in saying that, it is NOT my priority, RACING is!

You were very fortunate to be chosen as The South African Jockey Academy’s representative in the Qatar Apprentice Series which was held over three days i.e. 28 February to 1 March 2012. How did you do in the series? I had three rides over the three day series and my rides were not really fancied and sadly ran accordingly. But I was humbled and privileged to be selected to go over to Qatar which was one of the best experiences for me as an apprentice jockey. To see how another country operates and to meet new people and jockeys from other walks of life was awesome. The track is very tight in Qatar and racing is fairly competitive. All in all, it was a fantastic experience and I enjoyed every second of it.

What are your impressions of the country? It is very different to South Africa; the standard of living is great. People are friendly and very helpful.

Did you enjoy competing in the series? Like I said earlier, every second of it.

Has it ignited your desire to compete overseas?  Most definitely!

As a fellow youngster what do you think can be done to entice more youth into our wonderful sport? Add various fun activities at the race course. Spice up the race day experience.