From the Bradley Photographers archives we’ve stumbled upon this gem of Cecil “Skeeter” Kelly, a legendary NSW bush jockey of the 1950’s and 60’s.
At the time of his death in a race fall in 1967, “Skeeter” was dominating northern NSW racing. To this day he shares with Robert Thompson the riding record for the Grafton Ramornie Hcp with four wins.
His winners in the famous country sprint were Trevatore (1955 and 1956), Blue Dart (1958) and Glanceful (1959).
One of the finest tributes to his talents was paid by the astute Sydney trainer Jim Barker who gave him the prized ride on Grey Ghost in the 1958 Doomben $10,000. A perfect “Skeeter” Kelly ride saw the classy sprinter win the big race from Troy and New Joy.
I was in the 2GB broadcasting box with Ken Howard on that fateful day when the legendary jockey lost his life at Glen Innes. Participants and racegoers at the Randwick meeting were stunned as the tragic news circulated.
“Skeeter’s” sons Robert and Rex rode with distinction for some years.
Rex carved himself a little piece of racing history when he rode Mistress Anne in the Northern Slipper at Newcastle in 1977. The brilliant filly defeated “boom” colt Luskin Star on a very heavy track.
Returning to firm ground at his next two runs, Luskin Star won the Todman Trial by almost four lengths and the Golden Slipper by seven.
Rex Kelly is still officiating as starter at eight venues in the NRRA region, while his son David has trained successfully in recent years on the Northern Rivers and in Queensland.
For the past seven years, the winning Ramornie Hcp jockey has received the “ Skeeter Kelly Memorial Jockey’s Trophy” - a fitting tribute to a man who, in his heyday was dubbed the George Moore of country racing.