Colin Keane is in red-hot form right now and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. The champion Irish jockey is targeting another big-race win as the richest contest of the racing year on Irish soil gets set to take place at Naas racecourse.
Keane has been in brilliant nick lately, most recently landing the Group One Prix Rothschild at Deauville in France. It was another top-level success for the Kildare man who has firmly established himself as one of the most sought-after riders in European racing.
The Naas showpiece is the biggest prize on the Irish racing calendar in terms of prize money, and Keane will be looking to add his name to the winners list there too. It is exactly the kind of stage he has been thriving on, and connections of several leading horses will be hoping to have him in the saddle.
At Deauville, Keane steered Blue Bolt to victory in the Prix Rothschild, with the horse once again proving too good for market rival Precise. It was not the first time Blue Bolt had gotten the better of Precise, and the winning margin underlined just how well the horse is progressing through the ranks this season.
The Prix Rothschild is one of the most prestigious mile races in France for fillies and mares, and landing it on the international stage only adds to what has already been a serious campaign for Keane. He has been piling up the big-race winners both at home and abroad, and his confidence looks sky high heading into the business end of the flat season.
Naas racecourse has been steadily building its reputation as a serious venue for top-class racing in Ireland. The track has invested heavily in its prize money offering and the flagship contest now stands as the most valuable race run in Ireland across the entire year. That kind of financial clout attracts the best horses and the best trainers, and this year is expected to be no different.
Keane has long been a favourite with Irish racing fans. He came through the ranks with plenty of hard work and has ridden for some of the biggest stables in the country. His association with trainer Ger Lyons has produced some memorable days, and the pair continue to operate at the very top level.
With the flat season now moving into its most important phase, every big race counts for jockeys chasing championship glory and for owners and trainers looking to boost their horses’ profiles ahead of potential end-of-season targets. A win in the richest race of the year at Naas would be a serious statement.
Blue Bolt will also be one to watch going forward after that Deauville success. The filly has shown a real consistency at the top level and beating Precise twice now suggests she is no one-hit wonder. Whether connections decide to keep her in training for more targets this season remains to be seen, but her Group One win in France has opened up plenty of options.
For Keane, the focus is simple. He wants winners, and the bigger the race the better. Naas this week gives him another chance to show exactly why he is considered one of the very best riders currently operating in these islands.