Gerry Kelly
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Gerald Patrick Kelly was born on September 16, 1931, the son of a Dublin bookmaker. He was barely fourteen when he made the journey to England in response to an advert in the Irish Independent seeking stable staff as so many of the British lads where still in the army, even though the war had recently finished. He began a five-year apprenticeship at 10 shillings a week with The Tetrarch’s trainer Atty Persse on October 31, 1945, initially based at Chattis Hill, near Stockbridge, and then at Upper Lambourn.
Gerald Patrick Kelly was born on September 16, 1931, the son of a Dublin bookmaker. He was barely fourteen when he made the journey to England in response to an advert in the Irish Independent seeking stable staff as so many of the British lads where still in the army, even though the war had recently finished. He began a five-year apprenticeship at 10 shillings a week with The Tetrarch’s trainer Atty Persse on October 31, 1945, initially based at Chattis Hill, near Stockbridge, and then at Upper Lambourn.
At the end of his apprenticeship in 1950 he went back to Ireland, working for, among others, the legendary trainers Paddy Prendergast and Vincent O’Brien. During his time with O’Brien he rode work on triple Gold Cup winning champion Cottage Rake. He also appeared in armour as an extra in the film ‘Knights of the Round Table’ starring Robert Taylor and Ava Gardner, filmed at Phoenix Park.
At the end of his apprenticeship in 1950 he went back to Ireland, working for, among others, the legendary trainers Paddy Prendergast and Vincent O’Brien. During his time with O’Brien he rode work on triple Gold Cup winning champion Cottage Rake. He also appeared in armour as an extra in the film ‘Knights of the Round Table’ starring Robert Taylor and Ava Gardner, filmed at Phoenix Park.
Gerry returned to England in 1953, heading to Yorkshire this time and joining Jack Ormston’s Richmond stable. He had his first British ride over hurdles on Ormston’s five-year-old gelding Felias at Catterick on November 7, finishing sixth. The partnership was sixth again at Doncaster thirteen days later but then came good at Manchester on December 5, when Felias became Gerry’s first winner. He doubled his score when Shareholder gave him the second career winner at Sedgefield on Boxing Day.
Gerry returned to England in 1953, heading to Yorkshire this time and joining Jack Ormston’s Richmond stable. He had his first British ride over hurdles on Ormston’s five-year-old gelding Felias at Catterick on November 7, finishing sixth. The partnership was sixth again at Doncaster thirteen days later but then came good at Manchester on December 5, when Felias became Gerry’s first winner. He doubled his score when Shareholder gave him the second career winner at Sedgefield on Boxing Day.
He rode three winners in the 1954/55 season, all on Ormston’s hurdler Game Gambler, at Carlisle, Catterick and Doncaster. He achieved what was to be his best score of seven winners in 1955/56 but thereafter the numbers steadily dwindled: three in 1956/57, including his first win over fences on his old ally Felias at Wetherby; two in 1957/58; and just one, Heckley at Manchester, in 1958/59.
He rode three winners in the 1954/55 season, all on Ormston’s hurdler Game Gambler, at Carlisle, Catterick and Doncaster. He achieved what was to be his best score of seven winners in 1955/56 but thereafter the numbers steadily dwindled: three in 1956/57, including his first win over fences on his old ally Felias at Wetherby; two in 1957/58; and just one, Heckley at Manchester, in 1958/59.
Seeking further opportunities, Gerry ventured south the following season and made a good start, riding six winners during a four-month period between February and June 1960, all on horses trained at Letcombe Regis by Captain W. K. McMullen and owned by his wife Eleanor. Four of these came courtesy of Hampden Roar, who won handicap chases at Windsor, Hereford, Stratford and Wincanton, the latter being a dead-heat.
Seeking further opportunities, Gerry ventured south the following season and made a good start, riding six winners during a four-month period between February and June 1960, all on horses trained at Letcombe Regis by Captain W. K. McMullen and owned by his wife Eleanor. Four of these came courtesy of Hampden Roar, who won handicap chases at Windsor, Hereford, Stratford and Wincanton, the latter being a dead-heat.
Gerry rode McMullen’s Carrhill to win a Birmingham selling chase in November 1960 but that turned out to be his only winner that season. He joined Ted Goddard’s stable at West Horsley, Surrey the following year and scored his sole victory of the 1961/62 campaign on Goddard’s novice hurdler Chantersleur at Plumpton on Easter Monday 1962.
Gerry rode McMullen’s Carrhill to win a Birmingham selling chase in November 1960 but that turned out to be his only winner that season. He joined Ted Goddard’s stable at West Horsley, Surrey the following year and scored his sole victory of the 1961/62 campaign on Goddard’s novice hurdler Chantersleur at Plumpton on Easter Monday 1962.
Gerry got off to a good start to the next season, scoring on the Goddard-trained Black Sumatra at Folkestone on September 17, 1962, but that was to be the last winner he rode not just for the remainder of the season but for the next six and a half years.
Gerry got off to a good start to the next season, scoring on the Goddard-trained Black Sumatra at Folkestone on September 17, 1962, but that was to be the last winner he rode not just for the remainder of the season but for the next six and a half years.
He suffered the only bad fall of his career when breaking three vertebrae in his back in 1964, when based with Ryan Price, but the winners refused to come. It wasn’t until May 7, 1969, by which time he was back riding in the north, that Parkinson Minor, trained by Joe Mulhall at York, broke the drought by winning a Wetherby novice chase. Within a fortnight he rode Parkinson Minor to win a similar contest at Market Rasen.
He suffered the only bad fall of his career when breaking three vertebrae in his back in 1964, when based with Ryan Price, but the winners refused to come. It wasn’t until May 7, 1969, by which time he was back riding in the north, that Parkinson Minor, trained by Joe Mulhall at York, broke the drought by winning a Wetherby novice chase. Within a fortnight he rode Parkinson Minor to win a similar contest at Market Rasen.
Gerry rode just one winner in each of the 1969/70, 71/72 and 72/73 campaigns (none at all in 70/71), the last of these coming at Warwick on September 16, 1972 aboard Mr Tipp, trained by the then Lady Ann Fitzalan-Howard, later to become Lady Herries. But if you think six and a half years was a long time between winners, how about eleven years!
Gerry rode just one winner in each of the 1969/70, 71/72 and 72/73 campaigns (none at all in 70/71), the last of these coming at Warwick on September 16, 1972 aboard Mr Tipp, trained by the then Lady Ann Fitzalan-Howard, later to become Lady Herries. But if you think six and a half years was a long time between winners, how about eleven years!
After a winless period last more than a decade, the David Chapman-trained Bluebirdino finally gave Gerry the winner he craved – and an early Christmas present – when making all to win the Glasgow Paddocks Selling Hurdle at Doncaster on December 17, 1983. Going to the last, Bluebirdino was just in front and was being strongly challenged by a whole wave of horses, but with everyone willing the great GP Kelly home, Bluebirdino rose to the occasion to hold on by two lengths. His fellow riders rushed out of the weighing room to congratulate him as if he had won the Grand National.
After a winless period last more than a decade, the David Chapman-trained Bluebirdino finally gave Gerry the winner he craved – and an early Christmas present – when making all to win the Glasgow Paddocks Selling Hurdle at Doncaster on December 17, 1983. Going to the last, Bluebirdino was just in front and was being strongly challenged by a whole wave of horses, but with everyone willing the great GP Kelly home, Bluebirdino rose to the occasion to hold on by two lengths. His fellow riders rushed out of the weighing room to congratulate him as if he had won the Grand National.
Chapman, whose yard was at Stillington, Yorkshire, had not been overly optimistic about Bluebirdino’s chances, especially when he saw him pulling his way to the front before the first. He remarked afterwards: “When they came past the stands, Bluebirdino was pulling so hard I thought it was ‘cheerio Gerry’ and I’d have to pick him up somewhere in Bawtry!”
Chapman, whose yard was at Stillington, Yorkshire, had not been overly optimistic about Bluebirdino’s chances, especially when he saw him pulling his way to the front before the first. He remarked afterwards: “When they came past the stands, Bluebirdino was pulling so hard I thought it was ‘cheerio Gerry’ and I’d have to pick him up somewhere in Bawtry!”
Said Gerry: “This might do me a bit of good. I felt the tide couldn’t go out for ever. That it must turn some time and it has.”
Said Gerry: “This might do me a bit of good. I felt the tide couldn’t go out for ever. That it must turn some time and it has.”
Bluebirdino’s victory came 30 years to the month since his first success on Felias at Manchester for Jack Ormston. As the Sporting Life’s James Lambie wrote in his report of the day’s racing: “The rest of the afternoon was an anti-climax in comparison.”
Bluebirdino’s victory came 30 years to the month since his first success on Felias at Manchester for Jack Ormston. As the Sporting Life’s James Lambie wrote in his report of the day’s racing: “The rest of the afternoon was an anti-climax in comparison.”
By then Gerry was running a successful livery yard where he broke in and schooled young horses for several leading Yorkshire trainers including Michael Dickinson – for whom Delius and Brunton Park were among the best he handled – and Mick Easterby. He also trained point-to-pointers.
By then Gerry was running a successful livery yard where he broke in and schooled young horses for several leading Yorkshire trainers including Michael Dickinson – for whom Delius and Brunton Park were among the best he handled – and Mick Easterby. He also trained point-to-pointers.
Having not ridden on the Flat since 1968, he had wasted hard – surviving mainly on a diet of fish, porridge and dry toast – to get his weight down to ride on the level in 1983. He had a few rides that year and the next, mostly on long-shot no-hopers.
Having not ridden on the Flat since 1968, he had wasted hard – surviving mainly on a diet of fish, porridge and dry toast – to get his weight down to ride on the level in 1983. He had a few rides that year and the next, mostly on long-shot no-hopers.
By the time the 1985 Flat season came round he was 54 and yet to ride a Flat winner, but that all changed when he finally got on one with a live chance, David Chapman’s Always Native, the 4/1 favourite in a seven-furlong seller at Ayr on July 13, 1985. Always Native was a horse with no brakes who used to bolt on the way to the start but Gerry succeeded in relaxing him going to post, then produced him to lead inside the last two furlongs and win by a length and a half.
By the time the 1985 Flat season came round he was 54 and yet to ride a Flat winner, but that all changed when he finally got on one with a live chance, David Chapman’s Always Native, the 4/1 favourite in a seven-furlong seller at Ayr on July 13, 1985. Always Native was a horse with no brakes who used to bolt on the way to the start but Gerry succeeded in relaxing him going to post, then produced him to lead inside the last two furlongs and win by a length and a half.
However, the euphoria of finally riding a winner on the Flat lasted barely six months because Britain’s oldest professional jockey was refused a licence to ride by the Jockey Club’s chief medical officer Dr Michael Allen after he visited their London offices at the start of 1986 for his annual check-up. Dr Allen passed Gerry as fit, observing he was a very fit man, but then told him he wasn’t going to grant him a licence to ride on the Flat because he believed it was too dangerous for a man of his age. Ironically, Gerry still held a jump jockey’s licence at the time which was valid until the end of the current season.
However, the euphoria of finally riding a winner on the Flat lasted barely six months because Britain’s oldest professional jockey was refused a licence to ride by the Jockey Club’s chief medical officer Dr Michael Allen after he visited their London offices at the start of 1986 for his annual check-up. Dr Allen passed Gerry as fit, observing he was a very fit man, but then told him he wasn’t going to grant him a licence to ride on the Flat because he believed it was too dangerous for a man of his age. Ironically, Gerry still held a jump jockey’s licence at the time which was valid until the end of the current season.
He’d had had no ‘red entries’ recorded in his medical book since he’d broken a collarbone four years earlier, so he was stunned and bitterly disappointed by the decision, saying: “If everyone thought like that they wouldn’t go outside the door. Age doesn’t mean a thing to me. For me it is a pleasure every time I get a ride. I really enjoy it and it pays the bills. If a fellow is healthy and he’s living right he should be allowed to go on. I don’t see why they should take your livelihood away just like that. If my nerve had gone I would pack up tomorrow, I wouldn’t need anyone to tell me, and if I wasn’t good enough trainers wouldn’t put me up and that would be the end of it. But in the last three years I’ve had an average of 50 rides a season. Before that I was getting only 12 or 13 so I’m really only starting to get going.”
He’d had had no ‘red entries’ recorded in his medical book since he’d broken a collarbone four years earlier, so he was stunned and bitterly disappointed by the decision, saying: “If everyone thought like that they wouldn’t go outside the door. Age doesn’t mean a thing to me. For me it is a pleasure every time I get a ride. I really enjoy it and it pays the bills. If a fellow is healthy and he’s living right he should be allowed to go on. I don’t see why they should take your livelihood away just like that. If my nerve had gone I would pack up tomorrow, I wouldn’t need anyone to tell me, and if I wasn’t good enough trainers wouldn’t put me up and that would be the end of it. But in the last three years I’ve had an average of 50 rides a season. Before that I was getting only 12 or 13 so I’m really only starting to get going.”
There was much sympathy for Gerry from within the weighing room and the training ranks. David Chapman said: “Gerry’s not ready to retire, he’s as keen as ever. He is a wonderful man with a young, green horse and he can give them a ride too. A lot of jockeys couldn’t get on with Always Native.”
There was much sympathy for Gerry from within the weighing room and the training ranks. David Chapman said: “Gerry’s not ready to retire, he’s as keen as ever. He is a wonderful man with a young, green horse and he can give them a ride too. A lot of jockeys couldn’t get on with Always Native.”
Three times Northern champion jockey Mark Birch was equally mystified, saying: “I can’t see why they have taken his licence away. You would think he had only one eye or something but as far as I am aware there’s nothing wrong with him. He’s as fit as a fiddle. He just loves doing what he’s always done and I see no reason why they should take his livelihood away from him. If you are a fit man in any sport and you are not a hazard to anyone, why shouldn’t you go on doing it?”
Three times Northern champion jockey Mark Birch was equally mystified, saying: “I can’t see why they have taken his licence away. You would think he had only one eye or something but as far as I am aware there’s nothing wrong with him. He’s as fit as a fiddle. He just loves doing what he’s always done and I see no reason why they should take his livelihood away from him. If you are a fit man in any sport and you are not a hazard to anyone, why shouldn’t you go on doing it?”
Gerry had spent a lifetime riding the bad, dangerous and downright lunatic horses other jockeys refused to ride but his lack of success had never diminished his enthusiasm and extraordinary dedication. He’d ridden at every National Hunt venue bar Bangor-on-Dee and Ascot’s jumps track, including in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside. He rated Parkinson Minor as the best horse he’d ridden and rated riding over fences the greatest thrill of all. A spare ride at a bank holiday meeting would mean a happy Christmas, Easter or Whitsun for Gerry Kelly.
Gerry had spent a lifetime riding the bad, dangerous and downright lunatic horses other jockeys refused to ride but his lack of success had never diminished his enthusiasm and extraordinary dedication. He’d ridden at every National Hunt venue bar Bangor-on-Dee and Ascot’s jumps track, including in the Scottish Grand National at Bogside. He rated Parkinson Minor as the best horse he’d ridden and rated riding over fences the greatest thrill of all. A spare ride at a bank holiday meeting would mean a happy Christmas, Easter or Whitsun for Gerry Kelly.
He’d also earned a reputation as a first-class horseman with the knack of being able to handle the most difficult of horses. He played a large part in the success of Mick Easterby’s 1977 1,000 Guineas winner Mrs McArdy, who was something of a handful as a yearling. Easterby asked Gerry to coax her along and sweeten her up. “She became as kind as a Christian,” reflected Gerry following her Newmarket classic triumph. “Horses are like humans, they respond to a bit of kindness.”
He’d also earned a reputation as a first-class horseman with the knack of being able to handle the most difficult of horses. He played a large part in the success of Mick Easterby’s 1977 1,000 Guineas winner Mrs McArdy, who was something of a handful as a yearling. Easterby asked Gerry to coax her along and sweeten her up. “She became as kind as a Christian,” reflected Gerry following her Newmarket classic triumph. “Horses are like humans, they respond to a bit of kindness.”
Another with a reputation for being a hard ride was the David Chapman-trained Higham Grey, a horse few jockeys could sit on. Higham Grey had collected some notable scalps during his chequered career, which had included running unplaced in the St Leger and a seller in the space of a month. In his first and only race as a two-year-old he had started as he meant to go on by dropping Jimmy Bleasdale three times on the journey from the paddock to the start before winning by a short head. At three he managed to drop Michael Wigham twice, Ernie Johnson once and put the luckless Clive Eccleston on the floor no less than four times. Geoff Oldroyd, Lindsay Charnock, Stewart Webster and David Nicholls were among others to have been similarly dropped. However, the indomitable Gerry Kelly managed to remain firmly in the plate from paddock to unsaddling enclosure when riding him in a two-mile Flat race at Newcastle in August 1983.
Another with a reputation for being a hard ride was the David Chapman-trained Higham Grey, a horse few jockeys could sit on. Higham Grey had collected some notable scalps during his chequered career, which had included running unplaced in the St Leger and a seller in the space of a month. In his first and only race as a two-year-old he had started as he meant to go on by dropping Jimmy Bleasdale three times on the journey from the paddock to the start before winning by a short head. At three he managed to drop Michael Wigham twice, Ernie Johnson once and put the luckless Clive Eccleston on the floor no less than four times. Geoff Oldroyd, Lindsay Charnock, Stewart Webster and David Nicholls were among others to have been similarly dropped. However, the indomitable Gerry Kelly managed to remain firmly in the plate from paddock to unsaddling enclosure when riding him in a two-mile Flat race at Newcastle in August 1983.
Higham Grey also provided Gerry with his final ride as a jockey, over hurdles this time. Although turned down for a Flat jockey’s licence in 1986, his jump jockey’s licence enabled him to ride until the end of the season. Higham Grey became his last mount in public at Uttoxeter on May 28, 1986. The horse was prominent until running out at the fourth flight.
Higham Grey also provided Gerry with his final ride as a jockey, over hurdles this time. Although turned down for a Flat jockey’s licence in 1986, his jump jockey’s licence enabled him to ride until the end of the season. Higham Grey became his last mount in public at Uttoxeter on May 28, 1986. The horse was prominent until running out at the fourth flight.
Later that year, Gerry was granted a trainer’s licence and he commenced training in 1987 with a dozen horses at his yard just outside Sheriff Hutton. He trained a few winners over the course of the next 25 years before relinquishing his licence in 2013. He combined training with driving Mick Easterby’s horsebox to the races, having taken over that role following the death of Easterby’s former driver Peter Burnham.
Later that year, Gerry was granted a trainer’s licence and he commenced training in 1987 with a dozen horses at his yard just outside Sheriff Hutton. He trained a few winners over the course of the next 25 years before relinquishing his licence in 2013. He combined training with driving Mick Easterby’s horsebox to the races, having taken over that role following the death of Easterby’s former driver Peter Burnham.
A deeply religious man, he attended – and still does attend – evening Mass every day. He has sponsored a child in Kenya by providing money for food and clothing, visited old peoples’ homes, and accompanied sick and handicapped people on pilgrimages to Lourdes.
A deeply religious man, he attended – and still does attend – evening Mass every day. He has sponsored a child in Kenya by providing money for food and clothing, visited old peoples’ homes, and accompanied sick and handicapped people on pilgrimages to Lourdes.
Now in his 86th year, Gerry still lives in Sheriff Hutton and continues to have a few horses around the place. Following his aforementioned feat in getting Higham Grey from start to finish without being decanted that August afternoon at Newcastle in 1983, one or two observers reckoned they should have struck a medal for Gerry Kelly. They were wrong – someone should have done so long before that.
Now in his 86th year, Gerry still lives in Sheriff Hutton and continues to have a few horses around the place. Following his aforementioned feat in getting Higham Grey from start to finish without being decanted that August afternoon at Newcastle in 1983, one or two observers reckoned they should have struck a medal for Gerry Kelly. They were wrong – someone should have done so long before that.
Gerry Kelly’s winners were, in chronological order:
Gerry Kelly’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Felias, Manchester, December 5, 1953
1. Felias, Manchester, December 5, 1953
2. Shareholder, Sedgefield, December 26, 1953
2. Shareholder, Sedgefield, December 26, 1953
3. Game Gambler, Carlisle, October 9, 1954
3. Game Gambler, Carlisle, October 9, 1954
4. Game Gambler, Catterick, November 6, 1954
4. Game Gambler, Catterick, November 6, 1954
5. Game Gambler, Doncaster, March 15, 1955
5. Game Gambler, Doncaster, March 15, 1955
6. Wishbone, Southwell, September 5, 1955
6. Wishbone, Southwell, September 5, 1955
7. Durox Pearl, Hexham, October 3, 1955
7. Durox Pearl, Hexham, October 3, 1955
8. Flying Witch, Carlisle, October 8, 1955
8. Flying Witch, Carlisle, October 8, 1955
9. Durox Pearl, Catterick, November 5, 1955
9. Durox Pearl, Catterick, November 5, 1955
10. Flying Witch, Sedgefield, March 10, 1956
10. Flying Witch, Sedgefield, March 10, 1956
11. Romanic, Huntingdon, April 3, 1956
11. Romanic, Huntingdon, April 3, 1956
12. Roi De Peace, Southwell, April 23, 1956
12. Roi De Peace, Southwell, April 23, 1956
13. Felias, Wetherby, November 17, 1956
13. Felias, Wetherby, November 17, 1956
14. Light Artist, Doncaster, November 23, 1956
14. Light Artist, Doncaster, November 23, 1956
15. Royal Course, Ayr, March 16, 1957
15. Royal Course, Ayr, March 16, 1957
16. Outrider, Sedgefield, December 26, 1957
16. Outrider, Sedgefield, December 26, 1957
17. Heckel Birme, Rothbury, April 12, 1958
17. Heckel Birme, Rothbury, April 12, 1958
18. Heckley, Manchester, February 28, 1959
18. Heckley, Manchester, February 28, 1959
19. Hampden Roar, Windsor, February 24, 1960
19. Hampden Roar, Windsor, February 24, 1960
20. Hampden Roar, Hereford, March 12, 1960
20. Hampden Roar, Hereford, March 12, 1960
21. Hampden Roar, Stratford, March 17, 1960
21. Hampden Roar, Stratford, March 17, 1960
22. Old Hardwick, Wincanton, March 31, 1960
22. Old Hardwick, Wincanton, March 31, 1960
23. Hampden Roar, Wincanton, April 18, 1960
23. Hampden Roar, Wincanton, April 18, 1960
24. Luck’s Charm, Fontwell, June 6, 1960
24. Luck’s Charm, Fontwell, June 6, 1960
25. Carrhill, Birmingham, November 15, 1960
25. Carrhill, Birmingham, November 15, 1960
26. Chantersleur, Plumpton, April 21, 1962
26. Chantersleur, Plumpton, April 21, 1962
27. Black Sumatra, Folkestone, September 17, 1962
27. Black Sumatra, Folkestone, September 17, 1962
28. Parkinson Minor, Wetherby, May 7, 1969
28. Parkinson Minor, Wetherby, May 7, 1969
29. Parkinson Minor, Market Rasen, May 20, 1969
29. Parkinson Minor, Market Rasen, May 20, 1969
30. Beautola, Teesside Park, October 1, 1969
30. Beautola, Teesside Park, October 1, 1969
31. Wainstones, Market Rasen, July 31, 1971
31. Wainstones, Market Rasen, July 31, 1971
32. Mr Tipp, Warwick, September 16, 1972
32. Mr Tipp, Warwick, September 16, 1972
33. Bluebirdino, Doncaster, December 17, 1983
33. Bluebirdino, Doncaster, December 17, 1983
34. Always Native, Ayr, July 13, 1985
34. Always Native, Ayr, July 13, 1985
Gerry winning on Carrhill at Birmingham, November 16 1960.