Jon S. Kelly, a native Californian who conquered many business worlds and found a passionate love in horse racing, died Saturday morning at his farm known as Tres Palomas in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., from the effects of a cancer he'd fought for several years. He had turned 84 on Friday.
Kelly had been in hospice care and had family members on hand, including his wife Sarah, when he passed.
Kelly was born in Berkeley, was schooled in the east and at UC Berkeley and showed an affinity for business early on in his professional career. He went into the broadcasting business, established the Kelly Broadcasting Company and wound up owning and operating TV stations in Sacramento and Seattle. Additionally, he founded and ran the Summit Broadcasting Radio Company.
He was also a banker who founded the River City Bank in Sacramento. Further, he was a highly successful real estate executive with multiple projects in Northern California.
Besides his family, his great love in life was Thoroughbred racing and he'd been a horse owner since the early 1960s. Over the years he'd raced hundreds of horses around the world in England, Ireland, Australia and the United States. His best horse was Borrego, now a stallion in South America and the winner of the 2005 edition of Del Mar's $1-million Pacific Classic.
Kelly had been a member of the board of directors of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club since 2008. He was also a member of The Jockey Club. His trainers included Bob Baffert and Richard Mandella in the U.S., Gai Waterhouse in Australia and Jessie Harrington in Ireland. In 2018, he headed a syndicate that purchased a yearling colt at the famed Magic Millions Sale in Australia for a near-record $2 million.
He was on multiple business boards of directors and guided and funded many other charity-oriented groups. He was an official with Big Brothers of America and the Boy Scouts of America.
“He was quite a guy,” said Dr. Greg Ferraro, chairman of the California Horse Racing Board and a longtime Kelly friend. “He could make anyone laugh. He always lifted your spirits.”
Ferraro told of business associates Kelly had worked with 30 and 40 years ago writing him letters recently sending thanks for his council and guidance and how it had shaped their careers and lives. He spoke personally of Kelly sending him to a Louisville hospital for a life-saving operation, then make a huge donation to the hospital in Ferraro's name.
“He didn't make it in his name, which he should have,” said Ferraro, “but that was John. He did so many good things for so many people and he never bragged or looked for credit. He just was a good person who did good things. He was special.”
He is survived by his wife and six children, as well as many grandchildren.
Those wishing to make a donation in his name are encouraged to do so at two of his favorite projects – the Center for Equine Health at the UC Davis School for Veterinary Medicine or the Gregson Foundation, which services backstretch workers and their families.
At his request, there will be no services.
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