Keith Dalgleish rewarded for record breaking season

Quaiching in his hands...Keith Dalgleish receives commemorative gift from Vivien Kyles (Pic by Sarah Peters)

The Belstane Racing Stables handler’s astonishing 70 first places between November 2013 and November 2014 was three more than former record holder Lucinda Russell had managed in the previous 12 months.

And – with the new turf season having got underway at Doncaster last Saturday – 32-year-old Keith received a commemorative quaich marking the astonishing milestone from Hamilton Park Racecourse chief executive Vivien Kyles.

“Getting the 70 winners was a good achievement,” Keith said.

“Early on in the season I didn’t think it was going to be possible, but this stable had a cracking run of form in May and June which gave us a realistic chance.

“It was nice to be presented with the quaich. It was great to get recognition from Hamilton Park, our local track and somewhere our horses always seem to run well at.”

Keith, who regularly works a 14-hour day six days a week, is currently looking after 70 horses at Belstane Stables. He rates Chookie Royale – who landed two victories last season – to be the pick of them and expects him to contend in a race at Lingfield on Good Friday.

For more on this story pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.