Keagan Kirkby remembered in Wincanton charity race with Tom Malone to return to riding for first time in 15 years

Jockey-turned bloodstock agent Tom Malone will take his first ride on a racecourse since 2009 at Wincanton on Sunday in a charity race run as part of a fixture staged in memory of Keagan Kirkby.

The amateur jockey and key member of Paul Nicholls' stable staff died aged 25 in a point-to-point fall in February, and Malone has raised close to £30,000 for Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund.

The sourcing of 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup Native River for Brocade Racing is among Malone's biggest successes as a bloodstock agent, and his charity race ride Alexei is for the same owners.

He said: "I've lost 20lb for it. It was a case of laying off chocolate and biscuits and then doing lots of galloping and cycling – once I get into something I get really into it. I've been riding out every day and I'm as fit as a flea.

Tom Malone: "I've lost 20lb for it - once I get into something I get really into it"Credit: SARAH FARNSWORTH

"I've raised nearly £30,000 now. I'm proud of that and more than 200 people have sponsored me, which I'm really happy about. It's for an amazing cause. What Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund have done for families like Keagan's, and many others, is amazing and I couldn't not be a part of it.

"I met Keagan 20-30 times and he'd always come over and shake my hand. He was a cheeky chap who always had a smile on his face – that's how I'd describe myself, so we'd have been good friends.

"I think I've got a big chance on Alexei. He's very good and won three of his last four in Germany, and was unlucky not to win last time."

The charity race is due off at 11.30am, and also competing in the 12-strong field are Kirkby's close friends Katie Taylor and Alfie Shalliker.

Sponsor Tom Malone in the Keagan Kirkby charity race

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