Allan after a TAB Highway win with Crackneck at Randwick 12/12/2020 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Allan Kehoe has had some handy horses through his hands in twelve years as a professional trainer, but until recently a horse with that elusive X factor had never walked into his Wyong stables. Fate played a hand just over a year ago when a colt he was chasing at the Inglis Classic Sale was suddenly withdrawn by the vendor. That vendor knew of Allan’s interest and called him unexpectedly a few days later.
That phone call triggered a deal which saw the Wyong horseman actually take out a three year lease on the son of freshman sire Sandbar. That colt now bearing the curious name of Shaggy is unbeaten in three starts, culminating in a dashing defeat of some hot opposition at Randwick on Feb 15th. Shaggy has lifted the profile of his hard working trainer literally overnight. I joined the media scrum last week in getting Allan to join me on the podcast just 48 hours after the talented horseman had “bitten the dust” in a nasty spill on his private training track. He explains how the tumble happened and describes the extent of his injuries.
Allan says Shaggy spent a few quiet days after the Randwick win in a spacious paddock on his Gorokan property near Wyong.
He takes us back to last year’s Inglis Classic Sale where he made a close inspection of the Sandbar colt, and expressed his interest to the vendor.
Allan talks of the sire Sandbar who’s had a flying start to his stud career thanks to the emergence of a very talented two year old in his first crop.
The trainer has opted to run Shaggy in the Skyline Stakes on March 1st which leaves a three week corridor into the Golden Slipper.
Allan explains how the youngster was given his curious name.
He looks back on two brilliant wins at Coffs Harbour and on the Sunny Coast, and says he was quietly confident going into the Pierro Plate.
The versatile horseman explains the reason why Aaron Bullock had to be replaced last minute by Adam Hyeronimus.
Allan describes the facilities at his disposal on a twenty five acre property a stone’s throw from Wyong racecourse where he also has 10 permanent boxes.
He talks about his personal involvement in trackwork and explains that other Wyong trainers sometimes use his services. The 41 year old talks about the breaking-in and pre-training arm of his business.
He talks about his siblings and early life in Newcastle, Scone and Narromine. He looks back with gratitude on his first job and the opportunity to work with a great horseman.
Allan says his four years with the late John Lundholm at Coonamble provided a great learning curve in his life. He looks back on time spent with other top horsemen in his formative years.
Kehoe says his brief stint as a picnic jockey provided some of the happiest years of his racing life.
Allan is proud to be a father of four. He and first wife Kelly are the parents of daughter Mikayla and son Beau who follow his progress as a trainer.
He and partner Kim have a pigeon pair Mia and Jack. 14 year old Mia is displaying definite signs of considering a future as a jockey.
Allan looks back on the thrill of saddling up his first winner as a solo trainer in 2012 and pays tribute to some of the horses who’ve subsequently shaped his career. He mentions a couple who are currently in work.
Allan’s been around for a long time and his reputation in the industry is a sound one. Shaggy has propelled him into new found prominence on the eve of the autumn carnival.
(Banner image - Adam Hyeronimus was wondering where they got to! Shaggy pricked the ears on the line in the Pierro Plate - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)
Shaggy had it all to himself at the finish of the Pierro Plate. Next assignment will be the Skyline Stakes on March 1 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Allan fronts the media throng after the Pierro Plate - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
One of Allan’s favourites Get On The Grange (James McDonald) wins at a Canterbury night meeting in 2015 - courtesy Bradley Photographers.