K De Melo

Keagan De Melo is a product of the world-renowned South African Jockey Academy. Previously based in Durban, South Africa, De Melo has ridden more than 1,200 career winners, including close to 50 at black-type level, and forged strong partnerships with a range of trainers, notably Dean Kannemayer. He was also the retained rider for Khaya Stables. Since the 2016/17 South African racing season, De Melo has ridden more than 100 winners in six campaigns. His major victories up to 2023 include the Golden Horse Sprint, Premier’s Champions Challenge, Cape Flying Championship and South African Derby. De Melo’s first win came in 2010 aboard Western Gem at Scottsville. He claimed his first South African jockeys’ championship after a stellar 2022/23 campaign. He finished his first full season in Hong Kong in 2023/24 with a solid tally of 21 wins. In 2024/25 he achieved his first Group race success in Hong Kong aboard Copartner Prance in the G3 Premier Cup. He won the G2 Follow @World Pool on X Stakes atop Zalatoris in the summer of 2025. Achievements:South Africa Champion Jockey (2022/23). Notable Wins Include: South African Derby (2023 Son Of Raj), Garden Province Stakes (2020 Temple Grafin, 2021 Zarina), Paddock Stakes (2021 Queen Supreme), Summer Cup (2022 Puerto Manzano), Golden Horse Sprint (2023 Gimme A Prince), Premier’s Champions Challenge (2023 Puerto Manzano), Cape Flying Championship (2023 Gimme A Prince), G2 Follow @WorldPool on X Stakes (2025 Zalatoris), G3 Premier Cup (2025 Copartner Prance). Hong Kong Career Wins (at start of 2025/26 season): 33 (win strike rate 5.0%).