He probably won’t ride for long. Just living the dream while he’s young enough to have metabolism that makes it possible to stay that thin. Aiden O’Brien’s son was almost 6 foot when he rode. I worked for a trainer who rode when he was young and 5’11. I’d worry more about any rider who doesn’t have a soft landing or backup plan; KA has both.
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I would recommend that people check out Keith‘s interview on the TDN Writers’ Room from April 24. He is an incredibly articulate young man and talks about his diet which sounds pretty darn healthy.
Here’s a link to the Apple podcast. I’m sure you can find it other places as well.
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I listened to it–he stated he eats fish eggs and avocados. He does not state how many calories he consumes a day.
I think it can be agreed that being a rider requires significant sacrifice and discipline for most riders.
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I think I heard Richard Migliore say on America’s Day at the Races that when he was riding, his survived on 700 calories per day. Of course, a lot depends on your size as a jockey and your natural metabolism. I think, as they age, it might be harder to keep the weight off, but Jon Court just retired, and he’s 63 years old.
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I can’t recall where I read it, but there was a story about someone who sat near Laffit Pincay on a flight. When the packets of peanuts were handed out, Pincay took out one, cut it into tiny bits on his tray table, and made it last for most of the rest of the flight. It may or may not be true, but I know Pincay was one rider who really had to keep his eye on the scales; he was naturally built a little on the heavier side.
Across the Atlantic there are Aidan O’Brien’s kids, who inherited their father’s height. Joseph & Donnacha (and a daughter before she was injured) had successful but short careers in the irons before becoming successful trainers. Lester Piggott always battled weight and was tall as well - when a racing commentator remarked on Piggott’s bum sticking up in the air when he was on a horse, Piggott’s response was, “well, I’ve got to put it somewhere.”
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@Mara, I read that anecdote about Pincay as well. I have a LOT of books, so I can’t say exactly where.
I hope Keith gets a ride in the Breeder’s Cup and they do a story on the Asmussens and O’Briens. I kept hoping they would mention the correlation on the KD coverage.
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Both are families that I swear have Thoroughbred DNA somehow, somewhere in their genetic makeup. Steve’s brother Cash was a top jockey in the UK in the 80s - he rode there because the weight limits are a little more generous.
I know the family connection gives a leg up (pun intended) for the offspring of these top trainers, who have the bluest of blood in their barns available to ride. The rider still has to have the intuition and feel to communicate with the horse.
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I think Joseph and Donnacha were both younger than Keith is now when they hung up their irons (possibly also even taller). Let’s remember also that their mother Anne-Marie was a champion trainer as well. So, they were able to learn from the best while riding the fabulously-bred and immaculately cared for horses.
Nature and nurture just complimenting each other at Ballydoyle.
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The Pincay story was told by Wayne Lucas in a magazine article I believe; they sat next to each other on the plane.
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Steve was also one a jockey - until it became too difficult to make weight.
Asmussen began riding as a jockey at age sixteen, competing for two years at racetracks in New Mexico, California, and New York until his height and weight ended his riding career. “No one would believe me if I didn’t have the pictures to prove it,” he said later, having grown to over six feet. “My parents were 5’5” and 5’2". I don’t know what happened."[4] Steve Asmussen rode 63 winners between 1982 and 1984, then turned to training after he became too heavy to ride.[7]
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jingles for a speedy recovery
Oh, my goodness. What are the odds?
I hope they’re both ok.
I feel for Keith; femur fractures are supposed to be particularly excruciating.
Update
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Also:
Hoping Good Heart is ok
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Euthanized due to catastrophic leg injuries
That’s very sad to hear
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