Juddmonte has confirmed the appointment of six times Irish champion jockey Colin Keane as their retained jockey. The news was broken by The Irish Field on Sunday night.

On Monday morning Juddmonte issued a statement confirming the appointment of Colin Keane as its retained stable jockey with immediate effect.

The statement read: "Colin has six times been Irish Champion Flat jockey (2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024), has a long association with Juddmonte, and Juddmonte trainer Ger Lyons in Ireland and, most recently, rode Field of Gold to victory in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas Gr.1.

"The contract to ride Juddmonte’s leading horses in England, Ireland and France starts today. This means Colin will ride Juddmonte’s runners at Royal Ascot. These include likely Group 1 runners, Lead Artist in the Queen Anne Stakes, Field of Gold in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Babouche in the Commonwealth Cup."

On behalf of Juddmonte’s owners, the late Prince Khalid’s family, Douglas Erskine Crum, Juddmonte Chief Executive said: “In the past we have had retained jockey relationships (including with Pat Eddery, Richard Hughes and James Doyle) but in recent years we have preferred to work with the many talented jockeys retained by our various trainers around the world. We have decided that the time has now come to revert to the security and consistency which comes from having a single jockey retainer relationship. We are delighted that Colin Keane has committed himself to Juddmonte. He is one of the most exciting and talented riders of his generation, he shares Juddmonte’s values, we know him well and we warmly welcome him to the Juddmonte team”

Colin Keane said: "I have grown up watching these famous colours carried to many victories in all the top races around the globe so it’s very special for me to be asked to ride as first jockey for Juddmonte. I’m excited to get started and look forward to working with some of the best trainers in Ireland, England, and France. Tony Hind will look after my UK rides as he has worked closely with Juddmonte for many years now through Richard Hughes and Ryan Moore”.

The 30-year-old champion Irish flat jockey will continue to ride for trainer Ger Lyons where possible.

Keane has enjoyed plenty of big race success for Juddmonte already, most recently when winning the Irish 2000 Guineas on Field Of Gold, trained by John and Thady Gosden. He also rode Juddmonte's Siskin to win the same race in 2020, saddled by Ger Lyons who has also provided Keane and Juddmonte with Group 1 success through Babouche.

In 2022 Keane won the Irish Derby for Juddmonte on the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover. He has also ridden Group/Grade 1 winners for trainers Dermot Weld (Tarnawa), Noel Meade (Helvic Dream), Tony Martin (Laganore), Aidan O'Brien (Broome), John Murphy (White Birch) and David Menuisier (Tamfana).

Last November Keane and Lyons teamed up to win a Breeders' Cup race at Del Mar with Magnum Force.

News of Keane's appointment was revealed over the weekend in an email circulated by Kerri Lyons, daughter of Ger, to the yard's owners. It said: "Dear Owners, We wanted to share some exciting news with you regarding our stable jockey, Colin.

"Colin has been appointed as the new retained rider for Juddmonte Stud Farms — a fantastic opportunity for him and one that we’re all incredibly proud of. It’s a great recognition of his talent and professionalism, and we wish both Colin and Juddmonte every success in what we hope will be a long and exciting future together.

"From our side, there should be little change to the day-to-day routine. We’re hopeful that we’ll still have plenty of use of Colin, but naturally, he will be committed to Juddmonte duties on big race weekends around the world.

"That said, we’re very lucky to have a great team of riders here, led by Gary Carroll, and supported by a talented group of lads who know the horses and the system inside out.

"Thanks as always for your support, and we’ll keep you updated as the season progresses."

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