Trainer Profile

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): A Dream To Share, 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. 

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 for almost 50 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. 

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. 

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. 

John became the oldest trainer at 85 years of age to win a race at the Cheltenham Festival when A Dream To Share, ridden by 18-year-old John Gleeson, took the Champion Bumper on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.