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https://www.racingpost.com/news/britain/keagan-kirkby-work-rider-for-paul-nicholls-dies-in-tragic-point-to-point-accident-aged-25-aVxhM1N2UdBy/
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Keagan Kirkby, a West Country point-to-point rider and a member of Paul Nicholls' team, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent on Sunday.
Kirkby, 25, joined Nicholls' yard in 2019 and had been an integral part of the team, having been shortlisted for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards this year.
A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund said: "It is with deep sadness that we have to report that West Country point-to-point rider, Keagan Kirkby, 25, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent today.
"His horse, trained locally, ran out through the wing of a fence on the second circuit of the final race. The on-course medical team attended immediately and despite additional support from a 999 helicopter emergency services crew, he could not be saved.
"We kindly ask that everyone respects the privacy of Keagan’s family and the team at Paul Nicholls Racing at this tragic time."
In a post on his X account, Nicholls said: "Life is so hard sometimes, winners are totally insignificant compared to what has happened today. Sadly Keagan Kirkby, one of our best, hardworking lads, lost his life today riding in a point-to-point. All at team Ditcheat are mortified. Thoughts with all his friends and family.
"He was passionate about his job and his riding and rode Afadil every day. Last thing he said to me on Friday was, 'Boss Afadil will win tomorrow'. How right he was. RIP Keag, we will all miss you terribly."
Kirkby, 25, joined Nicholls' yard in 2019 and had been an integral part of the team, having been shortlisted for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards this year.
A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund said: "It is with deep sadness that we have to report that West Country point-to-point rider, Keagan Kirkby, 25, has died following a fall at Charing point-to-point in Kent today.
"His horse, trained locally, ran out through the wing of a fence on the second circuit of the final race. The on-course medical team attended immediately and despite additional support from a 999 helicopter emergency services crew, he could not be saved.
"We kindly ask that everyone respects the privacy of Keagan’s family and the team at Paul Nicholls Racing at this tragic time."
In a post on his X account, Nicholls said: "Life is so hard sometimes, winners are totally insignificant compared to what has happened today. Sadly Keagan Kirkby, one of our best, hardworking lads, lost his life today riding in a point-to-point. All at team Ditcheat are mortified. Thoughts with all his friends and family.
"He was passionate about his job and his riding and rode Afadil every day. Last thing he said to me on Friday was, 'Boss Afadil will win tomorrow'. How right he was. RIP Keag, we will all miss you terribly."
Apologies for spelling his first name wrong in heading. Should of course read Keagan Kirby.
So, so terribly sad. So young, and gone in a sport he enjoyed. RIP young Kirby!
Terrible news R.I.P. Just shows us again how dangerous this game is, condolences to his poor family ,and to all who knew him...
think it was CIDER who mentioned the faces on nichols/cobbden in paddock after bumper,maybe it was more to do with this happening than the horse falling in muss bumper
Tragic news - at such a young age and highlights the perils of race-riding
yeh Cider correct Paul Nicholls looked ashen-faced at Musselburgh and whilst the sickening incident involing GetaGin
would have made celebrations muted it looked like he couldnt wait to get out of there and his first time at course
with 4 winners will not be looked backed with any great fondness given circumstances
yeh Cider correct Paul Nicholls looked ashen-faced at Musselburgh and whilst the sickening incident involing GetaGin
would have made celebrations muted it looked like he couldnt wait to get out of there and his first time at course
with 4 winners will not be looked backed with any great fondness given circumstances
Not many will have heard of him but it's him and hundreds others including the horses who give us entertainment.
R.I.P.
R.I.P.
Terrible News,i have friends who will never walk again after having bad falls from Horses.Glad i got out in one piece after nearly 40 Years in the game.
RIP Keagan Kirkby....BBC report shows his picture, in centre :
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68199803
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68199803
Yes I think that could well have been the case, it really stood out how they looked, as if the blood had just drained from their faces. What a terrible run of events.
Just giving page been set up if anybody Wins a few quid Today or even if you dont.
Racing has united to raise more than £40,000 in memory of Keagan Kirkby following the 25-year-old rider's death at a point-to-point meeting on Sunday.
Kirkby, a West Country point-to-point jockey and member of Paul Nicholls' team, died after a fall at a fixture at Charing in Kent, when the horse he was riding ran out through the wing of a fence.
A JustGiving page was set up on Monday to help towards Kirkby's funeral and a memorial in his honour. Jockeys including Freddie Gingell, Niall Houlihan, Sam Twiston-Davies and Nick Scholfield are among those who have made donations, which also includes trainers, owners and the racing public.
The page had initially aimed to raise £5,000, but donations had soared to more than £40,000 on Wednesday morning.
Michael Geoghegan, owner of the Paul Nicholls-trained Fire Flyer who was ridden out daily by Kirkby, donated £3,797 of winnings earned by the horse at Taunton under an emotional Harry Cobden on Tuesday.
In its description, it says: "As a young boy Keagan could only dream of working for the champion trainer and riding winners. With hard work and sheer determination he got there and achieved everything he dreamed of and more.
"He truly was an inspiration to all those who have a dream, he never gave up. He always had a smile and kind words to say to anyone he met. Keagan, you will be missed by so many people, you really were one of a kind."
Tributes were paid to Kirkby following his death. Trainer Rob Varnham, who provided him with four of his six point-to-point winners, described him as a "wonderful person inside and out".
Nicholls posted from his X account on Sunday evening that his yard would "miss him terribly", while BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said it was "devastated" to learn of his death.
The BHA and Point-To-Point Authority also said in a joint statement that the incident at Charing will be fully reviewed. The PPA has also encouraged those affected by it to reach out to Racing Welfare's racing support line, or the Injured Jockeys Fund/Sporting Chance helpline.
To donate to Keagan Kirkby's funeral and memorial fund, click here
Kirkby, a West Country point-to-point jockey and member of Paul Nicholls' team, died after a fall at a fixture at Charing in Kent, when the horse he was riding ran out through the wing of a fence.
A JustGiving page was set up on Monday to help towards Kirkby's funeral and a memorial in his honour. Jockeys including Freddie Gingell, Niall Houlihan, Sam Twiston-Davies and Nick Scholfield are among those who have made donations, which also includes trainers, owners and the racing public.
The page had initially aimed to raise £5,000, but donations had soared to more than £40,000 on Wednesday morning.
Michael Geoghegan, owner of the Paul Nicholls-trained Fire Flyer who was ridden out daily by Kirkby, donated £3,797 of winnings earned by the horse at Taunton under an emotional Harry Cobden on Tuesday.
In its description, it says: "As a young boy Keagan could only dream of working for the champion trainer and riding winners. With hard work and sheer determination he got there and achieved everything he dreamed of and more.
"He truly was an inspiration to all those who have a dream, he never gave up. He always had a smile and kind words to say to anyone he met. Keagan, you will be missed by so many people, you really were one of a kind."
Tributes were paid to Kirkby following his death. Trainer Rob Varnham, who provided him with four of his six point-to-point winners, described him as a "wonderful person inside and out".
Nicholls posted from his X account on Sunday evening that his yard would "miss him terribly", while BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said it was "devastated" to learn of his death.
The BHA and Point-To-Point Authority also said in a joint statement that the incident at Charing will be fully reviewed. The PPA has also encouraged those affected by it to reach out to Racing Welfare's racing support line, or the Injured Jockeys Fund/Sporting Chance helpline.
To donate to Keagan Kirkby's funeral and memorial fund, click here
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