Over £100,000 was raised in a heartfelt tribute race day at Wincanton, celebrating the life of 25-year-old Keagan Kirkby while supporting Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund, uniting the racing community in remembrance.
More than £100,000 was raised during a memorable race day at Wincanton, dedicated to honouring the late Keagan Kirkby. Kirkby, only 25 years old, tragically lost his life in a fall at Charing point-to-point in February, and his passing left a profound impact on the racing community, both locally and beyond. Sunday's seven-race event was organized to celebrate his life and raise funds for Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund.
A special charity race in Kirkby's honour was one of the day's highlights. It brought together many of his friends, with former jockey and bloodstock agent Tom Malone claiming victory aboard Joe Tizzard's Alexei. Malone alone raised £35,000 for the cause, while Kirkby's close friends Joe Wroe and Alfie Shalliker followed in second and third place. Shalliker, who had lived with Kirkby, expressed both pride and emotion, saying, "I miss him every day and the world's a sadder place without him." He fondly recalled Kirkby's spirit, adding, "He probably would've told me that I'd done everything wrong!"
Paul Nicholls, who was Kirkby's former employer, reflected on the tremendous void that Kirkby's death left in the lives of his family and colleagues. "It's hard to put into words the hole that Keagan left in all our lives," Nicholls shared. He recalled how the news affected the team and particularly close friends like Shalliker, who felt the loss profoundly. Racing Welfare, and specifically, Lucinda Gould played a key role in supporting Kirkby's friends and colleagues, with Nicholls commending the charity's continued dedication to the community.
