IF YOU thought choosing a jockey for Northern Horse's Rider Focus was an easy job, think again. There are so many jockeys around, literally hundreds, so I turned to Jonjo Sanderson, general manager of Catterick racecourse for expert advice.

A couple of names came out of the bag, but it turned out to be a relatively easy choice for Jonjo - "Keith Mercer," he said. "A brilliant young jockey with a big future."

So off I headed to meet this young star.

Straight off the race track into Catterick Bridge Hotel, Keith took time out of his hectic schedule to talk about his career to date.

Standing at 5ft 7in with the mandatory stick-thin physique that goes with the job, he weighs in at 9st 9lbs, the 22-year-old walked into the hotel sporting a huge black eye - a "mere war wound" from a kick in the face a week before our meeting - and his beautiful blonde girlfriend Nora Geary by his side.

Shy and modest, he spoke with a gentle, soft, sexy, Irish accent, which was somewhat surprising for someone who hails from Southport.

"The accent came from my days at Paddy Mullins' yard in Gorsbridge, Co Kilkenny, and it has just stayed, but I don't think it is too strong" he explained.

And since he lives in Leyburn with Nora, who is 100pc Irish, from Cork, it is hardly surprising that his accent remained.

Born on a family farm in Southport, Keith was always around horses, as his father ran a livery yard and his mother was an instructor; although none of their equine residents were race horses.

His equine passions as a child resulted in him joining the West Lancs County Pony Club, where he proved to have a natural ability in the saddle and started to event.

During his Pony Club years Keith completed Weston Park Horse Trials a couple of times, as well as competing in plenty of BSJA show jumping events.

In the summer of 1999, Keith had the opportunity to work for the well-known and respected eventer; John Marsden. "My time there was a great head start for me, I was attending The King George V College in Southport, reading GMVQ in business, John was quite happy for me to work for him during half terms and holidays.

"It was John who put me in touch with Henrietta Knight. It was my first job in a racing yard and I started as a rider/groom; I loved it."

Ms Knight who won ITV's Sporting Midlander of the Year award for her services to racing in 2004, is probably best known as the trainer of Best Mate, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002 and 2003.

"In fact I just rode a horse for her at Sedgefield in January 2005," Keith smiled proudly.

"It was after my time there with valuable experience and knowledge that I had gained in hand, I moved to Ireland to join Paddy Mullins' yard as a stable lad for two years, and it was from Paddy's yard that I rode my first winner.

"I had a total of 60 rides with six winners, but I remember my first win like it was yesterday. It was a bumper race in Clonmel in 2002, and my mount was called Torose. After that win it left me wanting more!

"What also made life there great and easier for me was meeting Nora, she was working in a yard up the road from Paddy's."

In September 2003, Keith made a brave and brassy move and approached the great trainer Ferdy Murphy, who is based near Leyburn.

"I called him for a job as I wanted to return to England and further my career in a larger yard. I rang on a Thursday and started the following Monday, only as a stable lad again, but always with the hope of rides.

"Ferdy is an Irishman, and I had the accent! We got on great. I respect him 100pc - he has been in this business for a very long time and there is nothing that he doesn't know about training and his horses."

Leaving Ireland and returning to England meant not only a change in stable yards and bosses, but in life; Nora was going to be left behind - or so Keith thought.

"One month after Keith went to Ferdy's, I applied for a job there as second head girl, and got it," she said.

"I wasn't about to be without Keith, so I followed him over here!"

Keith's first ride for Murphy came aboard Howay Boys Quest at Sedgefield, where he finished a very creditable third place.

"I didn't get many rides to begin with, just here and there, so I went on the books for Richard Hale, who is a racing agent based in Penrith," he said.

"Richard organises all my rides, mainly up here in the North, but we always give Ferdy first refusal."

Keith's largest and most important victories on the track were both for Murphy, with two impressive wins riding Truckers Tavern in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby, and Ulusaba in the Stan James Mandarin Handicap at Newbury.

He has ridden a total of 21 winners for his boss, four for Roger Fisher - three of which were on Lazy But Lively - and four for Sharon and Bill Watt.

So far this season Keith has totted up 31 wins, proving that this is indeed a jockey with a huge career in front of him.

The rides started coming in a regular pattern for Keith, and he began to tell me about Sharon and Bill Watt. Bill is the owner of Watt Fences and Sharon is trainer; they co-own their horses and are a couple whom Keith also rides for.

At this point in the interview, Keith suddenly turned around and got into a conversation with the next door table, one of whom turned out to be Bill Watts.

This was perfect timing, and provided a chance to find out more about Keith, as getting the modest jockey to talk about himself was bringing to mind blood and stones.

"Sharon had seen Keith ride when she was taking her horses up to Ferdy's for schooling," said Bill Watt.

"She had total confidence in Ferdy's choice in jockeys, one of which caught her eye - Keith.

"Sharon and I saw in him what few riders have: the ability to see and ride a stride perfectly and have a completely natural equine presence.

"He shows incredible talent - he's hungry. We have a wonderful relationship with him as he talks to us honestly on what we need to know about our horses' performances. He is as honest as the day is long. I have no doubt that Keith will ride at Aintree in the Grand National, and if I had a horse running, he would be the jockey for the race."

This glowing tribute is just as well, as a Grand National outing is exactly what Keith dreams of.

"The thrill of riding this huge race is enough for me, winning isn't everything, but if it happens, well ..." said Keith.

This is a man with a big dream, one that has a very real chance of coming true, such is his dedication.

But for now he is more than happy racing and winning on tracks throughout the North.

"He has come a long way since the days back in Ireland; he is totally dedicated to race riding," said Nora. "He doesn't smoke or drink, he is very critical about himself and he is 100pc useless in the kitchen," she laughed.

The encounter left me with an admiration for this jockey's guts and determination. And although this is a man who manages to burn even water on the stove, he can certainly cook up a storm on the race track

Published: 28/01/2005