Newsroom

November 17, 2024

KEITH Ballard, based in Mt Isa, is the oldest active jockey in Australia – and this weekend, he will take the reins for the last time before he retires from professional racing.

At 71 years of age, Mr Ballard has competed in almost 10,000 races in a career spanning 55 years.

When reflecting on the life and career of Mr Ballard, Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, fondly recalled his early days spent with family and friends enjoying the races.

“Horse racing, along with rodeoing and rugby league have been the three pastimes of the Australian bush – which is nearly 10% of Australia’s population.

“If I was to pick out the most significant representatives of the racing industry in North West Queensland, I would not hesitate to say Keith Ballard as well as George Tipping.

“For me personally, whilst Cloncurry boys don’t cry, I can’t help but recall stories of my father and the Backash brothers who were all obsessed with racing and of course having a punt as well.

“It’s somewhere you can go and have fun – forget all your woes and worries. So, it’s more than the end of an era with Keith, it’s the finale of the racing life of one of the great titans of my homelands.

“Whilst many saw fortunes vanish, Keith as the leading light was able to look after his family and provide leadership in an industry that brought entertainment and community to our rural areas.”

Photo: Keith Ballard (L) next to champion hoop Glen Boss and the Ballard family during last year’s Melbourne Cup tour in Mt Isa