Death of Kelso

Press, 22 October 1983, Page 26

Death of Kelso

NZPA-Reuter

Chesapeake, Maryland

Kelso, the fourth greatest thoroughbred money winner of all time, has died at the age of 26, the day after he made his last public appearance at Belmont Park in New York. Death was attributed to colic, according to Jeffra Moore, wife of the trainer, Gene Moore, at Woodstock Farm, where Kelso died. The gelding was buried on the grounds of the farm. Kelso made his first appearance in years at a race track last Saturday. Along with Forego, which ranks fifth in career earnings, Kelso walked back and fourth in front of the grandstand at Belmont Park as a crowd of 30,000 cheered. The two geldings were brought back to Belmont Park to help raise money to find homes for retired thoroughbreds.

After his return to Woodstock Farm late Saturday,

Kelso showed symptoms of colic, for which he had been treated in the past. His condition gradually worsened and he died about four hours later. Kelso retired in 1966 after winning 39 races in 63 starts, finishing second 12 times and third twice. His career earnings of $U51,977,896 (now about $NZ2,986,600) were a record at the time and equivalent of about $6 million dollars (SNZ9 million) in stakes today. Kelso’s total earnings have been surpassed only by John Henry, the leader with $3,906,297, Spectacular Bid and Affirmed.

The gelding won the Gold Cup at Belmont Park, one of the most prestigious United States races, five years in a row — from 1960 to 1964 — and was named Horse of the Year each of those five years. For the last 18 years, Kelso had been in retirement at Woodstock Farm.