Urgent appeal from police and ‘seriously worried’ family as ex-jockey with ‘bad’ dementia goes missing for two days
AN urgent appeal has been issued for the 81-year-old jockey with "bad" dementia who has gone missing in Australia for two days.
Keith Banks, who twice rode in the Melbourne Cup and enjoyed a 28-year-career as a light-weight jockey, has not been seen since leaving home in Woolooma, New South Wales on Monday.
Both his family and the New South Wales police have issued urgent appeals for the former jockey.
In a post on Facebook, Mersadies Jewel said: "My beautiful Pop has gone missing.
"He has pretty bad Alzheimers/Dementia and he left our property at Woolooma/stewarts brook area (2337) in his 2006 Honda Civic sedan (AN46CT) at roughly at 1:00pm Monday 11/11/24.
“We have searched our area up to the Dingo gate at Barrington and Ellerston plus scone and surrounds.”
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In an update on Wednesday, she added: “No signs of Pop still. We are seriously worried about his health at this stage. If you think you’ve seen him or his car please reach out.”
The statement shared by the police on Monday, the day Banks was last seen, stated he was seen driving in an "unknown direction."
It said: "Keith Banks, aged 81, was last seen leaving a home on Stewarts Road, Woolooma about 1pm today (Monday 11 November 2024).
“When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
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"Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare due to him living with dementia and requires medication.
“Keith is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder length grey hair.
"He was last seen wearing a blue checkered puffer jacket, and dark jeans, and closed footwear.
“Keith was seen driving a dark grey Honda sedan with NSW registration plates AN46CT in an unknown direction. He is known to frequent the Hunter Valley area.”
Banks enjoyed a successful career, predominantly riding on Australia's country and bush racing circuits.
But he also rode more high profile winners and was known as a 'money rider' for the gambles that were often landed.
In 1986 he was forced to retire after picking up a head injury while falling off during a track gallop.
After hanging up his boots, Banks moved into pre-training and ran a yard in Scone, New South Wales, where he joined forces with the former jockey Reto Caadalbert.
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