Picture : SA Champion Jockey Keagan de Melo will likely make his Hong debut at Sha Tin on September 10, the opening meeting of the new season on the island.
South African Champion Jockey Keagan de Melo has been in Hong Kong for about a week preparing for the his first race meeting on the island at Sha Tin on September 10.
His Hong Kong Jockey Club profile has the above picture attached to it and reads as follows (surprisingly no mention of his champion jockey status):
Keagan De MeloAge: 30
Background:
Keagan De Melo is a product of the world-renowned South African Jockey Academy. Previously based in Durban, South Africa, De Melo boasts in excess of 1,200 career wins, including nearly 50 at black type level, and has forged strong partnerships with a variety of trainers, notably Dean Kannemayer. He was also the retained rider for Khaya Stables. Since the 2016/17 South African racing season, De Melo has ridden over 100 winners on six occasions, while his big-race triumphs through 2023 include the Golden Horse Sprint, Premier’s Champions Challenge, Cape Flying Championship and South African Derby. De Melo’s first win came in 2010 aboard Western Gem at Scottsville. His minimum riding weight is 116lb.
Notable Wins Include:
Garden Province Stakes (2020 Temple Grafin, 2021 Zarina), Paddock Stakes (2021 Queen Supreme), Summer Cup (2022 Puerto Manzano), Golden Horse Sprint (2023 Gimme A Prince), Premier’s Champions Challenge (2023 Puerto Manzano), Cape Flying Championship (2023 Gimme A Prince), South African Derby (2023 Son Of Raj).
Hong Kong Career Wins (at start of 2023/24 season):
Debut season
