Racing NSW has been informed of the passing of Mrs Anne Kelly, a hobby breeder and wife of Scone trainer Bernie Kelly.
Anne bred and was a part-owner of Bobbing, trained by Bernie, who won the 2019 Prov Championships Final and $734,000 in prizemoney.
Bobbing also won the 2018 Sky Racing Spring Provincial Series Final at Kembla Grange and finished 3rd to Handle the Truth in the 2019 The Kosciuszko.
Anne also bred and part-owned Dragonstone, a Stakes winner of three city races and $492,000, along with Storm the Ramparts who has finished 3rd at his past two starts in the city.
Among her accomplishments was secretary of the NSW Lady Jockeys’ Association in the mid to late 1970s.
Anne was a pioneer Lady Member of the Australian Jockey Club along with Gai Waterhouse back in the day when there was a yellow line around the betting ring whereby women could not advance.
“Anne joined the AJC/STC in 1978 (when permitted) and was recognised by the ATC for her more than 40-year commitment to the race club,” Bernie recalled.
“Anne had a number of arguments with the green coats (Members gate security) at the races, as she often pushed around her mad racegoer and punting father, Jack Lewitz, a paraplegic in a wheelchair.”
Former Australian test cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe took a share in a horse purchased by Anne and her sister Wendy as a yearling for a mere $700. That horse was Vivatus who won twice in the city at cricket score odds paying $143 and $67.
A private funeral service for Mrs Kelly has been arranged.