Grand National jockey makes comeback after 13 years to raise funds for late friend Keagan Kirkby
Today at 07:46 AM
A FORMER Grand National jockey is to make his comeback after 13 years out of the saddle – to raise funds for his late friend.
High-rolling bloodstock agent Tom Malone is dusting off his gear for a race at Wincanton on Sunday.
The 1m7f bumper is being run in honour of Keagan Kirkby, an amateur jockey who died aged 25 in a fall at a point-to-point meeting in Kent last February.
Kirkby worked at 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard.
While Malone works with Nicholls at the sales – the pair paying a then-world record £660,000 earlier this year for Regent’s Stroll, who is now owned by a group including Sir Alex Ferguson.
Malone, who initially was just sponsoring the race, will now line up to help raise cash for Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund.
He has already raised an impressive £23,000 and said on his charity page: “Please help me to raise money for Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund in the Keagan Kirkby Memorial race.
“Initially, I was happy to sponsor a race on the main Wincanton card and then it was suggested I should dig my old gear out to ride in the charity race!
“I am really keen to be a part of and promote the day for Keagan’s family by raising awareness and funds in memory of Keagan and for two important charities.”
Malone rode 70 winners during his 11 years as a jockey, racing in the Grand National twice.
But it is in the mega-money world of bloodstock that he has found his true calling, purchasing over 3,000 winners including 15 Cheltenham Festival, one Grand National and even a Royal Ascot winner.
Dear friend Kirkby sadly died after he was thrown from his horse during the final race at Charing racecourse earlier this year.
On-site medical crews rushed to his side and an air ambulance was called but he sadly could not be saved.
Nicholls told Sun Racing about the impact the devastating loss had on his yard.
He said: “He was passionate about his horses and his jobs. He was passionate about everything really. He was a lovely lad.
"He was one of life's genuine people and you wouldn't meet a nicer man. I know everyone always says those sorts of things afterwards, but he was such a nice lad that he would do anything for you.
“He worked hard and he had a very kind heart.
"It is sad, and accidents happen, but he was so enthusiastic about riding in point-to-point races. It is incredibly sad for his family and the whole team here.”
“It was the hardest thing I've had to deal with in my career.
To donate to Tom Malone’s Racing Welfare page simply click HERE
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