Kirlew

Veteran trainer Dennis Kirlew is dead. He passed away on Wednesday morning at his Bridgeport home at age 66.

Kirlew, who started training in the late 1970s, was a good conditioner of horses and at the time of his death, had saddled 82 winners with $3.1 million in stakes.

Among his better-known horses were MAGNUM SPECIAL, DETERMINED CHASE, WHAT'S UP DOC, ADVOCATE, POINT GUARD, HEY MAN, GATHERING HEIGHTS, INTENTIONAL, PRINCESS DUNN, MIGHTY JOE YOUNG, NUCLEAR POWER, WILL YOU MARRY ME, RAINBOW WARRIOR, BOMBAY EXPRESS, POPSY'S SPECIAL, SPOTTED WON-DER, JULIAN, RIPPLE D and ONE SON who provided him with his last win on June 6, 2001.

Reacting to his death, Vin Edwards, president of the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association, said Kirlew was a good man who was always willing to help the association, and will be sadly missed.

"In addition to training horses, Kirlew was also an owner," recalled Edwards.

Kirlew, who hails from Westmoreland, is survived by eight children, including his son Tony, who is a successful trainer and another son, Lorne who is assistant trainer to his brother.

Funeral arrangements for Dennis H. Kirlew will be announced shortly.

-O.C.