COLIN Keane will continue as first jockey to trainer Ger Lyons in 2021. There was speculation that the champion jockey might be offered a position with Coolmore but Lyons has confirmed that the 26-year-old will be staying at Glenburnie Stables. “It’s as simple as this – Colin will be my first jockey next year,” said Lyons, who supplied Keane with two classic winners this year.

Keane, who is due to return from a holiday this weekend, rode three winners for Aidan O’Brien towards the end of the season which saw him crowned champion for a second time.

He capped the campaign by winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on the Dermot Weld-trained Tarnawa, and this victory also led to speculation of a link-up with Weld in 2021 when Keane was not required by Lyons.

Yesterday Weld told The Irish Field he had not made any decisions on riding plans for next season. “Colin gave Tarnawa a brilliant ride to win a $4 million race and people will obviously speculate on that, but the truth is that I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

From Trim in Co Meath, Keane rode 100 domestic winners in 2020, his third time to reach treble figures.

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