Forrest Kaelin, dean of Kentucky horsemen and a fixture at Ellis Park for almost 70 years as jockey and trainer, died Thursday at his Louisville home. He was 83-years-old and spent 63 of those years married to Betty Kaelin.
The Louisville native retired May 31 due to failing health. He won 1,600 races, four of which were graded stakes, out of 12,417 starters that earned $17.7 million in a training career that started in 1963.
“He was just a legendary horseman around Kentucky,” said trainer Jimmy Baker, a long-time friend who helped oversee the stable after Kaelin shipped north from Tampa Bay Downs in the spring. “Everybody loved him, liked him and respected him.”
In addition to his wife, Kaelin is survived by his daughter, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Visitation will be 3-7p.m. Monday at Pearson Funeral Home in Louisville.
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