Glen Kelly
1916 - 2002
1916 - 2002
Glenville Kelly (always knows as Glen) was born into a racing family at Danebury, Stockbridge, on June 8, 1916.
Glenville Kelly (always knows as Glen) was born into a racing family at Danebury, Stockbridge, on June 8, 1916.
His father, Charlie, had ridden Red Lad to victory in the Irish Grand National of 1905 before becoming a trainer in Bicester, Oxfordshire: Glen's elder brother, Bill, also trained. His stables were at Oxford Lodge, just a few miles from his father's.
His father, Charlie, had ridden Red Lad to victory in the Irish Grand National of 1905 before becoming a trainer in Bicester, Oxfordshire: Glen's elder brother, Bill, also trained. His stables were at Oxford Lodge, just a few miles from his father's.
Glen, just 14, rode his first winner on 8 April, 1931 (Easter Monday) when Huncoat came home first by a length in the Hulcote Selling Hurdle Race at Towcester. Silver River (W.Stott) and Cubicle (W.Davy) were second and third respectively.
Glen, just 14, rode his first winner on 8 April, 1931 (Easter Monday) when Huncoat came home first by a length in the Hulcote Selling Hurdle Race at Towcester. Silver River (W.Stott) and Cubicle (W.Davy) were second and third respectively.
Twenty-two years later, he would ride his last winner at the same course - Lisagally, for Gerald Balding on May 23, 1953.
Twenty-two years later, he would ride his last winner at the same course - Lisagally, for Gerald Balding on May 23, 1953.
Eventually Glen would ride for both his father and brother, and the three enjoyed a notable family success when Tetrastyle, (later sold on to Mr A. Law), owned by Charlie, trained by Bill and ridden by Glen won at Hawthorn Hill in 1933.
Eventually Glen would ride for both his father and brother, and the three enjoyed a notable family success when Tetrastyle, (later sold on to Mr A. Law), owned by Charlie, trained by Bill and ridden by Glen won at Hawthorn Hill in 1933.
Glen did not share his father's Grand National luck: riding Tuckmill, he fell at the 21st in 1939 and finished last on the same horse in 1940.
Glen did not share his father's Grand National luck: riding Tuckmill, he fell at the 21st in 1939 and finished last on the same horse in 1940.
When war interrupted normal life, Glen - together with fellow jockeys Dave Dick, Bob Turnell and Ron Smyth - not unnaturally joined the Cavalry Regiment.
When war interrupted normal life, Glen - together with fellow jockeys Dave Dick, Bob Turnell and Ron Smyth - not unnaturally joined the Cavalry Regiment.
With hostilities over, Glen was offered, and took, the position of stable jockey to Lord Stalbridge.
With hostilities over, Glen was offered, and took, the position of stable jockey to Lord Stalbridge.
His ill-luck at Aintree continued when, in 1946, he pulled up on Red Rower and, in 1947, when coming down at the third last on Rearmament.
His ill-luck at Aintree continued when, in 1946, he pulled up on Red Rower and, in 1947, when coming down at the third last on Rearmament.
Glen's best National ride came in 1948 when finishing fourth on Happy Home, owned by the redoubtable Dorothy Paget.
Glen's best National ride came in 1948 when finishing fourth on Happy Home, owned by the redoubtable Dorothy Paget.
Glen had glory snatched away when riding Greenouge in the 1951 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Glen had glory snatched away when riding Greenouge in the 1951 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Glen and Martin Molony, riding Silver Fame, flashed by the winning post together and both jockeys were convinced that Glen had won.
Glen and Martin Molony, riding Silver Fame, flashed by the winning post together and both jockeys were convinced that Glen had won.
'I'm bloody sure I did' he said later. I had my whip in my right hand and Silver Fame came at me on my right, so I could see him quite clearly.'
'I'm bloody sure I did' he said later. I had my whip in my right hand and Silver Fame came at me on my right, so I could see him quite clearly.'
But, alas - with no photo finish in those days, the Stewards gave the race to Silver Fame 'by a short head'.
But, alas - with no photo finish in those days, the Stewards gave the race to Silver Fame 'by a short head'.
Mild compensation awaited that autumn with victories on Greenouge in the Grand Sefton Trial at Hurst Park & the Becher Chase at Aintree.
Mild compensation awaited that autumn with victories on Greenouge in the Grand Sefton Trial at Hurst Park & the Becher Chase at Aintree.
His last winner of note was Arctic Gold in the 1953 Cathcart Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.
His last winner of note was Arctic Gold in the 1953 Cathcart Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.
Later that year, increasing weight put an end to his career in the saddle and he retired quietly to his farm in Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, where he died on October 20, 2002, aged 86.
Later that year, increasing weight put an end to his career in the saddle and he retired quietly to his farm in Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, where he died on October 20, 2002, aged 86.
Glen's lucky race at Cheltenham was the Cotswold Chase (later renamed the Arkle Challenge Trophy). He won it three times: 1946 (Bright Penny), 1948 (Top Cash) & 1949 (Grand Refrain).
Glen's lucky race at Cheltenham was the Cotswold Chase (later renamed the Arkle Challenge Trophy). He won it three times: 1946 (Bright Penny), 1948 (Top Cash) & 1949 (Grand Refrain).
Glen Kelly
Glen Kelly
Big winners:
Big winners:
1946: Cotswold Chase – Bright Penny
1946: Cotswold Chase – Bright Penny
1948: Cotswold Chase – Top Cash
1948: Cotswold Chase – Top Cash
1949: Cotswold Chase – Grand Refrain
1949: Cotswold Chase – Grand Refrain
1950: Grand Sefton Chase – Shagreen
1950: Grand Sefton Chase – Shagreen
1951: Becher Chase – Greenogue
1951: Becher Chase – Greenogue
1953: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Arctic Gold
1953: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Arctic Gold
