Kieran Kelly was the first jockey killed in a fall on an Irish racecourse in more than two decades.
He suffered head injuries on Aug. 8 when he fell off his horse, Balmy Native. The horse went down at the fifth fence from home during the Joe Cooney Memorial Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan. Kelly died four days later. He was 25.
Kelly apprenticed with Mickey Flynn, then joined up with Dessie Hughes, who trained Balmy Native. In the 2000-2001 season, he rode 32 winners.
August 22, 2003 by
Kieran Kelly
Categories: Sports
My name is Kieran Kelly and I live in New Jersey, What a coincidence. My grandparents used to live in Dublin. I was never killed on a race track.
I would just like to say that Kieran was a dear friend of mine and he was the most lovliest,honest,caring person with the best sense of humour.Every friend of his will say the exact same thing.He is missed dearly everyday.He is never far from our minds but we will always hold him very close to our hearts.
My kieran was the most passionate bloke ever, he is in my heart forever and in my head every minute of the day. i miss you kieran. he died with passion,love and know he died loving his job. with my love forever xxx
I live in Los Angeles CA. born Manchester UK. Just looking up info on line… Very sad, prayers to his family
My name is Kieran Kelly sorry to hear of his demise,but,his namesakes are happy to have a Guiness or two in his memory. From Mildura Victoria Australia
My name is Kieran Kelly. I live in Perth Australia ,born Hertfordshire UK.
Have Irish family. Very sad and glad to be a namesake. With prayers to all his family.
I am also Kieran Kelly (Architect) originally from Trillick in Tyrone, now living Belfast and working in Castlewellan Co Down.
Very sad, seemed he was a great bloke, symphathy to all who knew him.
The namesakes of Kieran are spread both geographically and electronically. I am yet another Kieran Kelly , working as a doctor in Northern Ireland. I had To pause for more than a little thought when I heard of Kieran’s demise. I can’t say that i follow the racing world that closely, but the tributes and obitutries would attest to a remarkable man.
I had a friend named Kieran Kelly in the first grade at St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School in Staten Island, NY in the year 1975– If any of you fellow Kierans are him, please send me an email.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Keiran was an excellant young jockey, and a lovely person, whom i had the pleasure of meeting. he is sadly missed. may he rest in peace
May peace belong with our lost souls in sweet harmony.Never does a moment pass by without thought for cause.Solemn will always remain infinite.
Words are difficult to find.Not a moment passes by without pause for thought.May peace belong with his kindred spirit.Hope will always remain in a solemn and infinite aura.Never forgotten.Deepest regret.
I was at kilbeggan races this evening sat 9th august 08 and our syndicate horse ran in the race dedicated to the memory of Kieran Kelly. Hard to believe it’s 5 years since he died. All racing fans miss him. I have his finest hour recorded on VT, the day he won the sun-allinace hurdle at cheltenham on hardy eustace. Watching him in his post race interview with tommo he came across so humble and a nice guy. RIP.
i am very sorry. never knew him but my name sake
rip
Time goes by and life goes on but my dear friend Kieran you will never be forgotten.You are clearly missed everyday and over christmas and new years lots of prayers and thoughts were and will be of you! Rest in peace you beautiful soul, hopefully one day we’ll meet again…