Gene Kelly
Eugene Kelly (always known as Gene) should have ridden Ayala when it stormed home to win the 1963 Grand National: instead, he was pulling up Holm Star in the same race.
Eugene Kelly (always known as Gene) should have ridden Ayala when it stormed home to win the 1963 Grand National: instead, he was pulling up Holm Star in the same race.
Gene had been asked by trainer Keith Piggott to ride the 66/1 outsider, but the nine-year-old developed a leg problem, and was not a certain runner.
Gene had been asked by trainer Keith Piggott to ride the 66/1 outsider, but the nine-year-old developed a leg problem, and was not a certain runner.
Then Gene was approached by trainer Earl Jones who wanted him to ride Holm Star. Gene told him that he was hoping to ride Ayala. Earl Jones was having none of it and gave Gene £100.
Then Gene was approached by trainer Earl Jones who wanted him to ride Holm Star. Gene told him that he was hoping to ride Ayala. Earl Jones was having none of it and gave Gene £100.
Ayala's leg problem suddenly righted itself and the horse was fit to run. Gene told Keith Piggott that he could no longer take the ride: Piggott asked him to find a jockey who could. Having been turned down by Joe Guest and Owen McNally, Gene came across Pat Buckley, whose only previous assault on the race had resulted in a first fence fall. Pat agreed to take the mount, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Ayala's leg problem suddenly righted itself and the horse was fit to run. Gene told Keith Piggott that he could no longer take the ride: Piggott asked him to find a jockey who could. Having been turned down by Joe Guest and Owen McNally, Gene came across Pat Buckley, whose only previous assault on the race had resulted in a first fence fall. Pat agreed to take the mount, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Gene Kelly was born on June 26, 1928, in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield. His first job was as errand boy to Birmingham Draining Board where his father worked.
Gene Kelly was born on June 26, 1928, in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield. His first job was as errand boy to Birmingham Draining Board where his father worked.
What attracted him to a life of racing is not known - there were no obvious influences from his own family - yet, as war ended, he took up an apprenticeship with Joe Lawson, the Manton trainer.
What attracted him to a life of racing is not known - there were no obvious influences from his own family - yet, as war ended, he took up an apprenticeship with Joe Lawson, the Manton trainer.
He did his National Service in Egypt. Many a young jockey enjoys a scrap; Gene was no exception and, while abroad, he won the United Services flyweight and bantamweight championships.
He did his National Service in Egypt. Many a young jockey enjoys a scrap; Gene was no exception and, while abroad, he won the United Services flyweight and bantamweight championships.
Riding under the name of E. F. Kelly, he first appeared on the racecards on Friday 6 April, 1951, when partnering Paris New York in the Coronation Hurdle Race at Liverpool.
Riding under the name of E. F. Kelly, he first appeared on the racecards on Friday 6 April, 1951, when partnering Paris New York in the Coronation Hurdle Race at Liverpool.
He would have to wait some three years for his first winner - Star of April, at Worcester on 16 October, 1954.
He would have to wait some three years for his first winner - Star of April, at Worcester on 16 October, 1954.
Gene had no luck in the National. Before allowing Ayala to slip through his fingers, he'd had his first ride in 1956 on the delicate Polonius. Horse and rider were brought to a standstill on the second circuit.
Gene had no luck in the National. Before allowing Ayala to slip through his fingers, he'd had his first ride in 1956 on the delicate Polonius. Horse and rider were brought to a standstill on the second circuit.
It had been a chance ride. Colin Hailstone, the owner's son, usually rode him, but was laid up with pneumonia having previously rescued a young calf from an icy pond.
It had been a chance ride. Colin Hailstone, the owner's son, usually rode him, but was laid up with pneumonia having previously rescued a young calf from an icy pond.
Not only did Gene ride for the Queen Mother...not only did he get to meet her but - the highlight of his career - he got to dance with her as well.
Not only did Gene ride for the Queen Mother...not only did he get to meet her but - the highlight of his career - he got to dance with her as well.
One of her most prolific winners was Gay Record. It was stabled with trainer Jack O'Donoghue at Reigate. Gene often rode for Jack, and became the regular rider of Gay Record, winning five out of twenty-four.
One of her most prolific winners was Gay Record. It was stabled with trainer Jack O'Donoghue at Reigate. Gene often rode for Jack, and became the regular rider of Gay Record, winning five out of twenty-four.
The horse became the Queen Mother's 100th winner when first past the post at Folkestone on 20 October, 1964.
The horse became the Queen Mother's 100th winner when first past the post at Folkestone on 20 October, 1964.
Unfortunately, Gene wasn't in the saddle, having broken ribs and vertebrae a week earlier at Worcester.
Unfortunately, Gene wasn't in the saddle, having broken ribs and vertebrae a week earlier at Worcester.
He was just about well enough to attend the party held at the Savoy to celebrate her special win, and it was here that the two danced together.
He was just about well enough to attend the party held at the Savoy to celebrate her special win, and it was here that the two danced together.
Although he eventually recovered from his Worcester fall, he was warned by his specialist that another fall might have serious consequences.
Although he eventually recovered from his Worcester fall, he was warned by his specialist that another fall might have serious consequences.
Ignoring this sound advice, Gene returned to the saddle. At Chepstow in February, 1965, the inevitable happened. Gene came off a horse called Yvan ll, and his career was over.
Ignoring this sound advice, Gene returned to the saddle. At Chepstow in February, 1965, the inevitable happened. Gene came off a horse called Yvan ll, and his career was over.
He found alternative employment as a Sales Manager and also ran a saddlery.
He found alternative employment as a Sales Manager and also ran a saddlery.
When he finally retired, Gene and his wife, Diana, moved to Willersley in Worcester, where they began breeding sheep.
When he finally retired, Gene and his wife, Diana, moved to Willersley in Worcester, where they began breeding sheep.
Gene Kelly died on January 2, 2020, aged 91.
Gene Kelly died on January 2, 2020, aged 91.