Image © Healy Racing
Alex O’Keeffe enjoyed an afternoon to remember at Quakerstown last weekend, partnering his first career double and coming within a head of a treble for Jonathan Fogarty.
The 18-year-old struck aboard Sereine D’Annain and Governor Max, with the Fogarty-trained Whats The Verdict splitting his stablemates’ victories when finishing a close second to Marveleast. The double took O’Keeffe’s tally between the flags from two to four.
All four of his winners have come for the Fogarty team, with whom he combines riding out around his school commitments.
The Wexford teenager is preparing for his Leaving Certificate at St Peter’s College and rides out at the Fogartys’ Gaynestown yard three or four days a week, fitting it in around his timetable.
O’Keeffe went to Quakerstown hopeful of a good afternoon, having been encouraged by both Sereine D’Annain and Governor Max on their previous outings at Umma House.
Sereine D’Annain had finished third on her debut there and built on that experience in the four-year-old mares’ maiden. The daughter of Masked Marvel appeared beaten on the run to two out, but came through strongly to lead inside the final 50 yards and beat Fortuna Nova by a length.
Governor Max had been beaten just a neck on his debut, but made no mistake in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Quakerstown. He led from halfway and gave a polished display of jumping before drawing clear to beat Exit Strategy by seven lengths.
“He had a good run in Umma House and has improved since,” said the handler’s brother Mikey Fogarty of Governor Max.
O’Keeffe had been hopeful both horses could build on their first outings.
“I fancied the two of them after their runs at Umma House,” he said. “The mare did her best work late on and won well, while Governor Max was unlucky at Umma House. I was delighted they both got the job done.”
None of his family were at Quakerstown to see the double, but it was an afternoon the young rider will remember.
“It was an unbelievable feeling to get a double on the board.”
O’Keeffe is unsure of the immediate plans for the two winners, although he expects they may now be offered for sale.
“I’m not sure what the plans are, but I’d imagine they’ll be offered for sale now. There’s a lovely bunch of youngsters at Gaynestown and I’m looking forward to the spring with them.”
O’Keeffe made his point-to-point debut aboard the Denis Moore-trained Benefits Jeu at Monksgrange in March 2025. He first reached the placings on his fifth ride when third aboard the Fogarty-trained Durango Kid at Ballingarry, before getting off the mark on Our Peggy for the same handler at Tattersalls in October.
That success came on just his seventh ride between the flags, and Tamara Jane supplied his second winner at Tullaherin in April. The Quakerstown double brought his tally to four from 39 rides.
“The support I get from Mikey and Johnny Fogarty is invaluable. They’ve been very good to me and given me plenty of opportunities, so it was great to ride the double for them.”
Tamara Jane also provided O’Keeffe with his first racecourse ride when they finished third in a bumper at Kilbeggan in September. He hopes to gain further experience and build his tally between the flags while getting his name out there for more opportunities on the track.
He would eventually like to turn conditional and follow in the footsteps of his cousin Sean O’Keeffe, whose career highlights include a Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 success aboard The Nice Guy in the 2022 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
For now, school remains part of the balancing act, but once his Leaving Certificate is behind him, racing will become his main focus.
There is also a personal ambition closer to home. O’Keeffe shares Soldier Girl with his father Martin, while the five-year-old mare is trained by his uncle Ritchie O’Keeffe.
The homebred daughter of Soldier Of Fortune has given the young rider encouragement in her two starts this season, finishing third at Loughrea before going one better when chasing home Boldplay at Tattersalls.
A winner aboard Soldier Girl would be particularly special for O’Keeffe, with the mare carrying the family colours.
A winner aboard Soldier Girl would be particularly special for O’Keeffe, with the mare carrying the family colours.
