County Of Origin: Waterford
Date of birth: May 5, 1937
Date of licence: 1974
First winner: Ballymac Boy (David Kiely), Ladies Cup Chase, Punchestown, April 27th, 1976
Significant horses (selected): Carlingford Lough, Black Queen, Liss A Paoraigh, Indian Pace, Sweeps Hill, Toe The Line, Ancient Sands, Clara Allen, Reine Des Reines, King Rama, King Of The Gales, On The Way Out, Blazing Liss, Oneeightofamile, Head Of The Posse, Kilbride King, Line Out.Â
Did you know:
From Dungarvan, County Waterford, John Kiely has long been recognised as one of the shrewdest trainers in Ireland, having mastered his trade over a period of over 40 years. Not the type to seek the limelight, Kiely is one of the most respected members of the training ranks
John took over his father Matt's training licence in 1974 and his first winner came at the Punchestown Festival in 1976 where his brother David rode Ballymac Boy to land the Ladies Cup. John rode as an amateur rider until the age of 59.Â
His training career produced many memorable moments, notably when winning the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown with Carlingford Lough in 2015 (Tony McCoy) and again in 2016 (Mark Walsh). In all, Carlingford Lough was a five-time Grade 1-winner and his road to stardom began when landing the Galway Plate in 2013. Liss A Paoraigh was a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles.Â
Kiely won the Galway Hurdle with Black Queen (Shay Barry) in 1998 and with the Paul Townend-ridden Indian Pace ten years later. On the Flat, Irish Cesarewitch winner Clara Allen, dual Listed winner Toe The Line and King Rama were among the best Kiely trained.Â
Guinness Galway H'dle H'cap (Grade A) (Indian Pace - P. Townend - 2008)
www.thetote.com Galway Plate (Grade A) (Carlingford Lough - A.P. McCoy - 2013)
Bibby Financial Services P'town Gold Cup (Grade 1) (Carlingford Lough - B.J. Geraghty - 2016)
Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Petingo' H'cap (Toe The Line - F.M. Berry - 2014)
Hennessy Gold Cup (Grade 1) (Carlingford Lough - A.P. McCoy - 2015)
Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) (Carlingford Lough - M.P. Walsh - 2016)
Shabra Future Stars (C&G) INH Flat Race (Grade 2) (A Dream To Share - J.L. Gleeson - 2023)
Paddy Power Champion INH Flat Race (Grade 1) (Sweeps Hill (NZ) - J.P. Magnier - 2009)
Growise Champion Novice S'chase (Grade 1) (Carlingford Lough - A.P. McCoy - 2014)
Bewleys Hotels & EBF NH Fillies Bumper (Reine Des Reines - D. O'Connor - 2003)
Topaz Novice S'chase (Grade 1) (Carlingford Lough - A.P. McCoy - 2013)
Boylesports 115 Nationwide H'cap (King Rama (USA) - M.J. Kinane - 2007)
Evening Herald December Festival H'dle (Grade 1) (Liss A Paoraigh - B.J. Geraghty - 2002)
Paddy Power Irish Cesarewitch (Line Out - S. Foley - 2021)
Guinness Galway H'dle H'cap (Grade B) (Black Queen - J.R. Barry - 1998)
William Ewart Properties H'cap Hdl (Ri Na Deise - Kevin Thomas Coleman - 2007)
Boyle Bookmakers Royal Bond Novice H'dle (Grade 1) (Liss A Paoraigh - Charles Francis Swan - 2000)
Anjaal EBF Bluebell Stakes (Listed) (Toe The Line - C.T. Keane - 2016)
Hackett's Bookmakers Irish Cesarewitch (Clara Allen - T.P. O'Shea - 2005)
Bewleys Hotels EBF Mares H'dle (Listed) (Blazing Liss - D.N. Russell - 2005)
*Statistics are up to close of business the previous day. Prize-money is allocated within 1 week of the race date (allow 1 week for Prize-money).
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