'This is a year I'll never forget – it's been a dream come true'

If you were to hear chants of 'Keano, Keano' and 'Ole Ole Ole' at an Irish sporting event, you'd be forgiven for not placing Naas racecourse on the first Sunday in November at the top of your list as the likely venue.

But when Colin Keane was crowned as champion jockey this month the Kildare venue had an atmosphere more akin to the Aviva Stadium as the brightest star in Irish Flat racing was greeted in similar fashion to football heroes Roy and Robbie of the same surname.

At the culmination of a season-long title fight with nine-time champion Pat Smullen, the 23-year-old Meath native emerged with the prize and cemented his place as one of the most brilliant riders in the business.