Keith Ballard racing on strongly to 70th birthday

By Jordan Gerrans

For a jockey to be riding well past their 70^th birthday after starting out as a teenager all those decades ago, it is an unbelievable achievement that is unlikely to be repeated again.

Respected Mount Isa hoop Keith Ballard will turn 70 this Saturday and will celebrate the milestone by riding at Corfield.

Like many big Cup races in the bush, the Corfield Cup is one Keith has on his resume already.

While it is a significant accomplishment to ride into his 70s, those that have watched Keith closely over the decades are not surprised at all that he is going this well at his ‘advanced’ age.

Keith’s son Dan has ridden side-by-side with his old man for years and believes the milestone is a testament to his attitude.

“It is no surprise for anyone that knows him, he is renowned for having one of the better work ethics you would encounter,” Dan said.

“He has always been very consistent and tough; he has always been a grinder and his longevity speaks to those traits.

“It is a huge achievement no doubt but it is no surprise. It is very much in keeping with what he is known for.”

According to Kevin Ring from the Australian Jockeys' Association, Keith is the oldest jockey currently riding in the country.

“I believe he is the oldest in Australia at the moment,” Ring said.

“And, there are no signs of him slowing down and it looks like he will ride on for another season.”

Jockey Tony Erhart – who was inducted into Racing Queensland's Hall of Fame last year – rode well into his late 60s before retiring while Western Australian jockey Danny Miller called time on his career in the saddle at 70 in 2018.

Like Erhart, the Ballard family from Mount Isa were a popular induction into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame the year prior.

For Dan, that is what keeps him going in the saddle, that he is able to share the experiences and time with his mother Denise – who trains after previously being a jockey - and his father.

The 37-year-old Dan is a city class rider but like many, he was a little bit too heavy, so he found his niche in the North West, alongside his father.

“I certainly get a lot out of riding with Dad and competing against him,” Dan said.

“With Mum training, our participation in racing is certainly a family exercise. That has got something special to it.

“It is one thing that keeps me riding is the memories that I have got from going to the races and Dad being successful.

“I tap into a little bit of that, the pride that it gave me when I was a young fella to watch my Dad out there and I still get that today and I am out there with him.”

As participants spend hours in the car every week to get to their race meetings in the North West, Dan says he cherishes his time on the road with his father every week, discussing racing, life and everything in between.

And, when they arrive at those far flung race tracks, Dan is always blown away with how Keith is greeted by local club officials.

“He has been a leading rider in our area for decades and people love him,” Dan said.

When a rider reaches a milestone like 70 years of age, the obvious question is how long does he have left in the jockey's room.

According to Denise, that conversation was first broached two decades ago when Keith turned 50.

They obviously did not get very deep into the discussion as Keith is still going as good as ever.

He has taken 208 rides this season, collecting 14 wins, 32 seconds and 29 thirds so far, with the Corfield meeting to come to round out the campaign.

While the conversation around retirement first came up 20 years ago, those closest to Keith do not think he is going to finish up any time soon.

“It is something that he is finding hard to let go of as he loves it,” Denise said.

“He has been doing it since he was 15. When it eventually happens, he needs to say to himself that he is finished and he has had enough – it needs to be his call.

“Right now, there is a need for him to still be riding in our area.”

The Ballards have called Mount Isa home for decades but it all started in Longreach for Keith.

There are not many Cups in the bush he has not claimed, with the list including Boulia, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Richmond, McKinlay, Maxwelton, Mount Isa, Stamford, Corfield, Longreach and Winton, among others.

Speaking earlier in his career, Keith referred to his favourite ''local'' Cup as Equitant in the Birdsville Cup of 2009.  

He has been prolific on the non-TAB country circuit over his tenure in the industry but he also won his fair share of televised races.

The Darwin Cup victory aboard the Mount Isa-trained Kerr Street in 1983 is a highlight as is Mr Ziezel’s Cleveland Bay triumph in Townsville.

He was also filled with pride when he watched Dan win city races in the big smoke earlier in his career.

While retirement is not likely to be on the agenda in racing soon, it has come from the work force.

Like the majority of regional jockeys, Keith has juggled his riding commitments, a day job and his family for his lifetime in the sport.

CNW Electrical Mount Isa farewelled Keith late last year after a decade of service as a storeman when he retired.

For Denise, that means she has an extra helper around the stables with a handful of gallopers in work.

And, the garden is looking as good as it ever has in Mount Isa.

“The tomatoes, everything else is going good now, the rose garden, as well,” Denise said with a laugh.

Keith officially turns 70 on Saturday, which coincides with Corfield’s race day.

Dan was initially not going to be riding at the meeting but will now be there after taking rides for Denise.

Dan happily admits that if he had any worries about his father riding past his 70^th birthday then he would put his hand up and flag them.

But, he says that thought has not crossed his mind.

“He is going well,” Dan said.

“He had a couple of bad accidents over the years and it took a while for him to get back on top of things.

“But now, there is no signs of him steadying up.

“I would be sounding the warning alarms if I thought there was any concerns with the way he is riding, but he is going really well.”

As Keith mainly rides for Denise and fellow trainer Tanya Parry, Denise is well-credentialed to speak about how her husband is performing in the saddle.

“He gives them every chance, he is going good still,” she said.