Pat Kelleher
1945 - 2007
1945 - 2007
Pat Kelleher was born on November 17, 1945. He served his apprenticeship with Newmarket trainer Walter Wharton.
Pat Kelleher was born on November 17, 1945. He served his apprenticeship with Newmarket trainer Walter Wharton.
He first appeared in the winner's circle after riding the 6-1 favourite Be Quick to victory at Yarmouth on Thursday, June 25, 1964, challenging for the lead inside the final furlong and holding on well for a short head victory.
He first appeared in the winner's circle after riding the 6-1 favourite Be Quick to victory at Yarmouth on Thursday, June 25, 1964, challenging for the lead inside the final furlong and holding on well for a short head victory.
Many good judges thought that they had seen a star of the future, especially when, at Catterick less than a month later, July 23, the 18-year-old apprentice rode two winners in the colours of Major Lionel Holliday.
Many good judges thought that they had seen a star of the future, especially when, at Catterick less than a month later, July 23, the 18-year-old apprentice rode two winners in the colours of Major Lionel Holliday.
The first leg of his double came in the Apprentice Handicap. Riding old friend Be Quick, he skilfully chose his ground when taking the horse away from the rails at the turn into the straight. For a few moments he looked likely to be shut in, but having found his opening, came right away from Sigirl to win by three lengths.
The first leg of his double came in the Apprentice Handicap. Riding old friend Be Quick, he skilfully chose his ground when taking the horse away from the rails at the turn into the straight. For a few moments he looked likely to be shut in, but having found his opening, came right away from Sigirl to win by three lengths.
Later in the afternoon he showed admirable restraint on Take Heart in the mile and a half Grove Stakes by refusing to be alarmed when Eddie Hide set out to make all the running on Rosado and led him by fully six lengths into the straight. He kept Take Heart well balanced and gradually made up his ground to catch the Malton filly inside the last furlong and beat her by two and a half lengths.
Later in the afternoon he showed admirable restraint on Take Heart in the mile and a half Grove Stakes by refusing to be alarmed when Eddie Hide set out to make all the running on Rosado and led him by fully six lengths into the straight. He kept Take Heart well balanced and gradually made up his ground to catch the Malton filly inside the last furlong and beat her by two and a half lengths.
When, on August 31, Walter Wharton saddled his thirtieth winner for Major Holliday at Birmingham, it was Pat who was once again in the saddle.
When, on August 31, Walter Wharton saddled his thirtieth winner for Major Holliday at Birmingham, it was Pat who was once again in the saddle.
His riding performance drew this accolade from The Times. Under the banner headline “Kelleher an apprentice with bright future” they wrote:
His riding performance drew this accolade from The Times. Under the banner headline “Kelleher an apprentice with bright future” they wrote:
“Kelleher's riding of Take Heart, on which he had previously won at Catterick and Nottingham, could in no way be faulted. Three furlongs from home, when Khoja Hafiz fell back, he was between Peter Robinson on Endless Honey and Stan Clayton on Nireus. With scarcely any room between these experienced jockeys, he sat still and rode the handsome little colt by Tamerlane home with his hands and heels to win by two short heads.
“Kelleher's riding of Take Heart, on which he had previously won at Catterick and Nottingham, could in no way be faulted. Three furlongs from home, when Khoja Hafiz fell back, he was between Peter Robinson on Endless Honey and Stan Clayton on Nireus. With scarcely any room between these experienced jockeys, he sat still and rode the handsome little colt by Tamerlane home with his hands and heels to win by two short heads.
“Kelleher goes to scale at 7 stone, does not look likely to put on weight and in the last two months has ridden six winners...”
“Kelleher goes to scale at 7 stone, does not look likely to put on weight and in the last two months has ridden six winners...”
Pat went on to ride a total of 103 winners, his best score being 29 in 1974, though it would not be unfair to say that he failed to reach the heights predicted by his early promise. A journeyman jockey at worst, he continued to ride until 1983.
Pat went on to ride a total of 103 winners, his best score being 29 in 1974, though it would not be unfair to say that he failed to reach the heights predicted by his early promise. A journeyman jockey at worst, he continued to ride until 1983.
His last ride came on Bililov, trained by Denys Smith, at Edinburgh on September 19, 1983, finishing seventh.
His last ride came on Bililov, trained by Denys Smith, at Edinburgh on September 19, 1983, finishing seventh.
Pat Kelleher died from cancer in 2007, aged 61.
Pat Kelleher died from cancer in 2007, aged 61.
Former colleague Lindsay Charnock said; “I can’t imagine anyone ever having a bad word to say about him. He never had a bad word to say about anyone else. It's sad that he’s gone.
Former colleague Lindsay Charnock said; “I can’t imagine anyone ever having a bad word to say about him. He never had a bad word to say about anyone else. It's sad that he’s gone.
Another former weighing room friend, George Duffield said: “He never had a bad bone in his body.”
Another former weighing room friend, George Duffield said: “He never had a bad bone in his body.”
Pat’s funeral took place on May 17 at St Wilfrid’s Church, Hexham Street, Bishop Auckland.
Pat’s funeral took place on May 17 at St Wilfrid’s Church, Hexham Street, Bishop Auckland.