WATCH: ‘Do you believe in fairytales?’ Australia’s oldest jockey Keith Ballard signs off with victory in final ride

Veteran jockey Keith Ballard has produced a fairytale finish to his riding career with victory with his final ever race ride at Mt Isa on Saturday.

Keith Ballard rode a winner in his final ever race ride at Mt Isa on Saturday. Picture: Racing Queensland

Australia’s oldest jockey Keith Ballard has signed off in style, riding a winner in his final race ride at Mt Isa on Saturday in a fairytale performance.

The 71-year-old put the full stop on a 55-year career in the saddle by bolting in aboard his wife Denise’s horse, Metal Bar, in the final race by more than five lengths.

Speaking to Racenet during the week, Ballard said he wasn’t fussed if he rode a winner on his final day after announcing his retirement following more than 9500 rides.

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Just like Damien Oliver riding a winner in his final race last year, the racing gods smiled upon Ballard, with punters sending out Metal Bar a $1.45 favourite at the non-TAB event.

Ballard landed his first race winner in the same year man first landed on the moon in 1969, providing one of the more remarkable careers in Australian racing.

After contemplating retirement a number of times, Ballard said Saturday’s meeting will be his last, with it originally scheduled to be run at Julia Creek.

With a full book of five rides on the day, Ballard was running low on luck, running fourth on even money favourite Panda Drum earlier in the day and third on $2.25 chance Our Benefit.

Best thing in racing today will be Australia’s oldest jockey Keith Ballard (71) saluting in his final race ride at his home town Mt Isa. Started riding in 1969. Win 1779. #legend@RaceQLD 🎥 Regional Cast pic.twitter.com/VFCG9vtuhd

— Gary Brook (@GaryBrook18) November 16, 2024

He took luck out of the equation on the dirt track in the final event with a take no prisoners ride aboard Metal Bar when he went straight to the front.

Describing racing as “an addiction”, Ballard is meticulous in his preparation, taking notes of every single ride he has had in his storeyed career.

He finishes with 1789 winners from 9578 rides.

CURIOUS VISITOR

Polarising trainer Ben Currie was a curious visitor at the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s Albion headquarters on Thursday morning.

Racenet can reveal the Toowoomba trainer was spotted in the offices, sparking speculation he is attempting to return to racing.

Currie had an 18-month disqualification cut down to nine months on appeal over the cocaine horse saga in December 2022 and is currently working full time as the chief executive officer of Currie Racing, where his father Mark is head trainer.

His position does not require a QRIC-sanctioned license.

In June last year he pledged to walk away from racing and completed courses to become a mortgage broker.

While Currie’s disqualification period has finished, any new license applications are subject to QRIC’s discretion.

Currie did not respond to request for comment over his visit to QRIC.

Originally published as WATCH: ‘Do you believe in fairytales?’ Australia’s oldest jockey Keith Ballard signs off with victory in final ride