RACING: The leading jump jockey Kieran Kelly, seriously injured in a fall at Kilbeggan on Friday, died last night in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital. The 25-year-old rider sustained serious head injuries in a steeplechase fall at the Co Westmeath track and had been on a life-support machine at the hospital's intensive care unit.
Kelly's family, his parents Bridie and John, and his four sisters and three brothers had earlier expressed gratitude to well-wishers during the traumatic period.
A statement said: "Our grateful thanks go to the members of the public and all in racing for their help and support in this difficult time."
As news of Kelly's death emerged, racing at Gowran Park was called off after four races as a mark of respect.
Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of the sport's ruling body, Horse Racing Ireland, reflected the general mood when he said the young rider's death was very upsetting to everyone involved in racing.
"I think everyone heard the news with a deep sense of shock," he said. "It just puts everything in perspective and it shows the risks that jockeys take every time they get up on a horse. Everyone's thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fellow jockeys. They have our deepest sympathies."
Originally from Carbury in Co Kildare, Kelly had made a major impact on racing in this country and rode as stable jockey to the powerful Dessie Hughes yard.
It was for Hughes that he had his greatest success when Hardy Eustace won the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at the famous Cheltenham Festival last March.
Kelly also had a Grade One success on the John Magnier-owned horse Colonel Braxton, but his greatest total of winners was the 32 he partnered in the 2000-01 season.
Friday's tragic fall came from the Hughes-trained Balmy Native, who fell at the fifth-last fence in a handicap chase.
In the melee, Kelly's head was struck by a hoof and he was also rolled on by the stricken horse. The jockey was initially taken to Tullamore Hospital in Co Offaly before being transferred that evening to Beaumont.
The Turf Club medical officer, Dr Walter Halley, praised the efforts of the medical personnel on duty at Kilbeggan.
"The medical officers, Ray Campbell and Gerry O'Flynn, as well as Breda Colgan who was in charge of the Order Of Malta, did a first-class job. They could not have done any more," he said.
Kelly's death is a terrible blow that reflects the constant dangers that jockeys face in the sport.
At Ballinrobe last August the leading claiming rider, Jimmy Mansell, incurred serious head injuries that put him on a life-support machine. Mansell has made a good recovery but hasn't ridden since.
In April of 1997, Shane Broderick was left paralysed when he took a fall from a horse at the Irish Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse. He has since taken out a permit to train horses.
