Urgent call from police and ‘seriously concerned’ family because ex-jockey with ‘serious’ dementia is missing for two days

An urgent appeal has been made for the 81-year-old jockey with ‘severe’ dementia who has been missing in Australia for two days.

Keith Banks, who competed twice in the Melbourne Cup and enjoyed a 28-year career as a lightweight jockey, has not been seen since leaving his home in Woolooma, New South Wales, on Monday.

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Both his family and New South Wales Police have issued urgent appeals against the former jockey.

In a message at FacebookMersadies Jewel said: “My beautiful father is missing.

“He has quite severe Alzheimer’s/dementia and he left our premises in Woolooma/Stewarts Brook (2337) in his 2006 Honda Civic sedan (AN46CT) at approximately 1pm on Monday 24 November 2011.

“We searched our area as far as the Dingo Gate at Barrington and Ellerston, plus scone and environs.”

In an update on Wednesday, she added: “There are still no signs of Pop. We are seriously concerned about his health at this stage. If you think you have seen him or his car, please contact us.”

The statement released by police on Monday, the day Banks was last seen, said he was driving in an “unknown direction.”

It said: “Keith Banks, aged 81, was last seen leaving a house on Stewarts Road, Woolooma at around 1pm today (Monday 11 November 2024).

“When he could not be located or contacted, officers from the Hunter Valley Police District were notified and began investigations into his whereabouts.

“The police and family have serious concerns for his welfare as he suffers from dementia and requires medication.

“Keith is described as a white male, approximately 165cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder-length gray hair.

“He was last seen wearing a blue plaid puffer jacket, dark jeans and closed-toe shoes.

“Keith was seen driving a dark gray Honda sedan with NSW registration plates AN46CT in an unknown direction. He is known to frequent the Hunter Valley area.

Banks had a successful career, which, above all, continued Australia country and bush racing circuits.

But he also rode more high-profile winners and was known as a ‘money rider’ because of the gambles that were often landed.

In 1986 he was forced to retire after suffering a head injury in a fall during a track gallop.

After hanging up his boots, Banks entered pre-training and ran a yard in Scone, New South Wales, where he joined forces with former jockey Reto Caadalbert.

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