Bertie Kerr
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Herbert William Joseph Kerr (19 October 1896 – 23 November 1973) was an Irish
association football Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
player during the 1910s and 1920s. Kerr played for
Bohemians Bohemian or Bohemians may refer to: *Anything of or relating to Bohemia Culture and arts * Bohemianism, an unconventional lifestyle, originally practised by 19th–20th century European and American artists and writers. * Bohemian style, a f ...
, the
League of Ireland XI The League of Ireland XI, more recently referred to as the Airtricity League XI for sponsorship reasons, is the representative team of the League of Ireland, the national association football league of Ireland. For much of its history, the League ...
and
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
. In 1924, he was a member of the first Ireland team selected by the FAI and at the same time he represented Ireland at the 1924 Olympics. He was also the first player to captain an FAI Ireland team in a home international. After retiring as a footballer, Kerr established himself a worldwide reputation as a leading bloodstock agent. Among the many racehorses he bought and sold were Nasrullah and Tomy Lee, who won the 1959
Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby () is an American Graded stakes race, Grade I stakes Thoroughbred racing, race run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of . Colt (horse), Colts and geldin ...
. Kerr also traded horses that won the Aintree Grand National, the
Grand Prix de Paris The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), an ...
, the French Derby, the
Irish 2,000 Guineas The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it ...
, and the Irish St. Leger. His younger brother
Kevin Kevin is the anglicized form of the Irish masculine given name (; ; ; Latinized as ). It is composed of "dear; noble"; Old Irish and ("birth"; Old Irish ). The variant ''Kevan'' is anglicised from , an Irish diminutive form.''A Dictiona ...
also played for Bohemians and was a successful horse trainer. His niece, Virginia Kerr, is one of Ireland's leading opera singers.


Early years

Kerr was born in
County Dublin County Dublin ( or ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland, and holds its capital city, Dublin. It is located on the island's east coast, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. Until 1994, County Dubli ...
. He was the eldest son and second child of Joseph Kerr, who worked as a clerk with the Inland Revenue, and his wife, Mary, who originally came from
County Laois County Laois ( ; ) is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and in the province of Leinster. It was known as Queen's County from 1556 to 1922. The modern county takes its name from Loígis, a medieval kingdom. Hist ...
. Kerr was educated at the
O'Connell School The O’Connell School is a secondary and primary school for boys located on North Richmond Street in Dublin, Ireland. The school, named in honour of the leader of Catholic Emancipation, Daniel O’Connell, has the distinction of being the olde ...
in Dublin and by
1911 Events January * January 1 – A decade after federation, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory are added to the Commonwealth of Australia. * January 3 ** 1911 Kebin earthquake: An earthquake of 7.7 m ...
, then aged 17, he was living at 3 St. Alphonsus Road in Drumcondra. On leaving school, Kerr joined his father at the Inland Revenue and worked as a clerk. He later worked in an insurance brokerage.


Football career


Bohemians

Kerr first started playing for
Bohemians Bohemian or Bohemians may refer to: *Anything of or relating to Bohemia Culture and arts * Bohemianism, an unconventional lifestyle, originally practised by 19th–20th century European and American artists and writers. * Bohemian style, a f ...
in 1914, and he continued to play for the club until 1927. Throughout his career with the club, he regularly captained the team and for the 1918–19 season he was appointed club captain. While playing for Bohemians, he helped them win their first-ever League title in 1923–24. Bohs won the title after winning 15 successive league games. Other members of the team included Dave Roberts, Johnny McIlroy, Billy Otto,
Christy Robinson Christopher "Christy" Robinson (1902 – 21 February 1954) was an Irish soccer player during the 1920s and 1930s. Robinson was a skilful inside forward during this era in the League of Ireland and was part of the All-Conquering Bohemians team of ...
, Jack McCarthy, and Johnny Murray. Kerr was also a member of the Bohs team that won the 1924
League of Ireland Shield The League of Ireland Shield is a defunct Irish football tournament which was introduced when the League of Ireland started in 1921 and ran uninterrupted until 1972. It was played before the league season began and was seen as the third most imp ...
. On 17 February 1924, while playing for Bohemians in the 1923–24 FAI Cup semi-final against
Athlone Town Athlone Town Association Football Club is an Irish football club from Athlone who are playing in the League of Ireland. The club is the oldest in the League as it was founded in 1887. First elected to the League of Ireland in 1922, they play t ...
at
Shelbourne Park Shelbourne Park is a greyhound racing stadium in the south Dublin inner city suburb of Ringsend. Greyhound Racing Opening The plans to open a greyhound track in Dublin were drawn up by Paddy O’Donoghue, Jerry Collins, Patsy McAlinden and J ...
, he suffered a serious injury. In a clash with Town's Jim Sweeney, he broke his jaw and lost some teeth. Kerr remained involved with Bohemians, throughout the remainder of his life serving as both a committee member and as a club vice president. Kevin Kerr captained the club in 1942, twenty-three years after his older brother had the honour. After the Hoopers and the
O'Kane O'Kane is an Irish surname, anglicised from the Irish Ó Catháin, and was the name of a significant clann in Ulster, a province of Ireland. The surname has also been anglicised as O'Cahan, Kane, O'Keane, O'Kean, O'Keen, O'Keene, Keen, Keene, Kain, ...
s, they became the third set of brothers to captain Bohs.


League of Ireland XI

On 9 February 1924, Kerr was one of five Bohemians players to play for the first official
League of Ireland XI The League of Ireland XI, more recently referred to as the Airtricity League XI for sponsorship reasons, is the representative team of the League of Ireland, the national association football league of Ireland. For much of its history, the League ...
when they made their debut in the 3–3 draw against the Welsh Football League XI at
Dalymount Park Dalymount Park (Irish language, Irish: ''Páirc Chnocán Uí Dhálaigh'') is a Association football, football stadium in Phibsborough on the Northside Dublin, Northside of Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., ...
. The other four were Dave Roberts, Johnny McIlroy,
Christy Robinson Christopher "Christy" Robinson (1902 – 21 February 1954) was an Irish soccer player during the 1920s and 1930s. Robinson was a skilful inside forward during this era in the League of Ireland and was part of the All-Conquering Bohemians team of ...
, and Harry Willets. Among the other members of the team were Frank Collins,
Ernie MacKay Ernest MacKay (7 October 1896 – November 1995) was an Irish footballer who played in an international tournament representing Ireland in 1924. Personal life MacKay was born in County Tipperary as the second son and fifth child of John and ...
, and John Fagan.


Ireland

In 1924, Kerr also made three international appearances for
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
. He was a member of the first senior Ireland team selected by the FAI. The team competed at the 1924 Olympics and on 28 May, Kerr made his international debut against
Bulgaria Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...
. Other members of the Ireland team included his Bohemians teammates, Jack McCarthy and Johnny Murray, as well
Dinny Hannon Denis J. Hannon, also known as Dinny Hannon or Dinney Hannon (31 January 1888 – 23 August 1971), was an Irish footballer who played as an inside-right for both Bohemians and Athlone Town. Born in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland, Hannon was ...
,
Ernie MacKay Ernest MacKay (7 October 1896 – November 1995) was an Irish footballer who played in an international tournament representing Ireland in 1924. Personal life MacKay was born in County Tipperary as the second son and fifth child of John and ...
, Joe Kendrick, Tommy Muldoon, and
Paddy Duncan Paddy Duncan (1894 – 9 April 1949) was an Irish footballer. At the 1924 Olympic Games he scored the Ireland (FAI)'s first ever goal in a senior international. Club career Duncan began his schoolboy career with Belview Boys before joining S ...
. Kerr and his fellow footballers also became the first athletes to represent
Ireland at the Summer Olympics A team representing Ireland as an independent state or polity has competed at the Summer Olympic Games since 1924, and at the Winter Olympic Games since 1992. The National Olympic Committee in Ireland has been known by three titles. It was or ...
under the auspices of the Irish Olympic Council. Ireland defeated Bulgaria 1–0 and thus progressed to the quarter-finals. On 2 June, Kerr made his second appearance against the
Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...
. Ireland lost this game 2–1 after extra time. On 14 June, Kerr made his third and final Ireland appearance in a friendly against the
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
at
Dalymount Park Dalymount Park (Irish language, Irish: ''Páirc Chnocán Uí Dhálaigh'') is a Association football, football stadium in Phibsborough on the Northside Dublin, Northside of Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., ...
. He also served as Ireland captain for this game, thus making him the first player to captain an FAI Ireland team in a home international. Kerr led the team to a 3–1 win.


Bloodstock agent

In September 1920, with support from his father, Kerr founded his own insurance and bloodstock agency. He had developed a knack for spotting the potential in young race horses and largely on the back of this reputation his agency, Kerr & Co. Ltd, developed into a successful family business. One of his biggest successes as a bloodstock agent came with the purchase of Nasrullah in 1944. This horse was acquired by Kerr & Co. Ltd from the renowned horse owner the
Aga Khan III Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah (2 November 187711 July 1957), known as Aga Khan III, was the 48th Imamate in Nizari doctrine, imam of the Nizari Isma'ili, Ism'aili branch of Shia Islam. He was one of the founders and the first permanent president of ...
. The company owned him for three weeks before selling him on to Joseph McGrath. This deal was allegedly done over an afternoon cup of tea at
Bewley's Bewley's is an Irish hot beverage company, located in Dublin and founded in 1840, which operates internationally. Its primary business operations are the production of tea and coffee, and the operations of cafés. Bewley's has operations in Ire ...
in
Westmoreland Street Westmoreland Street () is a street on the Southside of Dublin. It is currently a one-way street. It carries a segment of the R138 road for northbound traffic; nearby D'Olier Street carries southbound traffic of that segment. Location It i ...
. Kerr also purchased and sold on four horses that later won the Aintree Grand National. They included Sheila's Cottage in
1948 Events January * January 1 ** The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is inaugurated. ** The current Constitutions of Constitution of Italy, Italy and of Constitution of New Jersey, New Jersey (both later subject to amendment) ...
, Freebooter in
1950 Events January * January 1 – The International Police Association (IPA) – the largest police organization in the world – is formed. * January 5 – 1950 Sverdlovsk plane crash, Sverdlovsk plane crash: ''Aeroflot'' Lisunov Li-2 ...
, Anglo in
1966 Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...
, and Red Alligator in
1969 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1969th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 969th year of the 2nd millennium, the 69th year of the 20th century, and the ...
. Probably one of his greatest purchases was Tomy Lee, the winner of the 1959
Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby () is an American Graded stakes race, Grade I stakes Thoroughbred racing, race run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of . Colt (horse), Colts and geldin ...
. Tomy Lee became only the second non-American bred horse to ever win the Kentucky Derby, and Kerr became the first non-American agent to buy a winner. In 1956, Kerr attended the Newmarket sales, acting on the behalf of Fred Turner, a millionaire oilman and rancher from
Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
. Turner had instructed Kerr to buy two horses that he had picked out of the catalogue. He was chiefly interested in a colt that came to be named Tuleg, but he also wanted a second horse in order to provide Tuleg with a travelling companion. This second horse was Tomy Lee. Shortly after Tomy Lee won the 1959 Kentucky Derby, Kerr relayed to
Michael O'Hehir Michael James Hehir (also known as Michael O'Hehir and ; 2 June 1920 – 24 November 1996) was an Irish hurling Hurling (, ') is an outdoor Team sport, team game of ancient Gaelic culture, Gaelic Irish origin, played by men and ...
the story behind the purchase. O'Hehir then retold the story in the ''
Daily Racing Form The ''Daily Racing Form'' (DRF) (referred to as the ''Racing Form'' or "Form" and sometimes "telegraph" or "telly") is a tabloid newspaper founded in 1894 in Chicago, Illinois, by Frank Brunell. The paper publishes the past performances of rac ...
''. After viewing Turner's first choice for Tuleg's travelling companion, Kerr was less than impressed and cabled him, advising him not to buy this particular foal. Instead, Kerr recommended another colt he had seen at the sale. Turner gave Kerr the go ahead "to bid up to $15,000," and Kerr got Tomy Lee for $6,762. Tuleg was purchased for $25,000 and proved to be a dud, but Kerr's recommendation was a bargain. Kerr's reputation was not confined to Ireland or Kentucky. It extended to
Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood ...
, and among the many people he could count on as a friend, an acquaintance, and a client was
Raoul Walsh Raoul Walsh (born Albert Edward Walsh; March 11, 1887December 31, 1980) was an American film director, actor, founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), and the brother of silent cinema actor George Walsh. He wa ...
. Together with his friend
John Huston John Marcellus Huston ( ; August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics. He rec ...
, Walsh was a keen horse racing fan. In 1951, on hearing that Huston, was travelling to England and suspecting that he might be interested in buying a horse, Walsh wrote to Huston and declared that "the finest and most honest man I can recommend is Bert Kerr." Nearly eight years later, when Tomy Lee won the Kentucky Derby, Walsh provided Kerr with his own personal commentary. Always keen to follow the progress of his purchases, even after they had been moved on, Kerr had tuned into the
American Forces Network The American Forces Network (AFN) is a government television and radio broadcast service the United States Armed Forces provides to soldiers stationed or assigned overseas, and is headquartered at Fort Meade in Maryland. AFN comprises two sub ...
for a commentary on the race. However, before it got underway, he received a phone call from Walsh, who was six thousand miles away in Hollywood watching the race on American television. As well as buying and selling horses for others, Kerr & Co. Ltd ran a successful racing stable which was managed by Bert's younger brother
Kevin Kevin is the anglicized form of the Irish masculine given name (; ; ; Latinized as ). It is composed of "dear; noble"; Old Irish and ("birth"; Old Irish ). The variant ''Kevan'' is anglicised from , an Irish diminutive form.''A Dictiona ...
. The Bohemians influence on the Kerr's remained strong, and they adopted the club's red and black colours as their racing colours. In addition, among the many horses that passed through their stables was one in 1959 called Bohemian Boy. Kevin trained Sea Charger to victory in the 1953
Irish 2,000 Guineas The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it ...
and Irish St. Leger. More success came in 1965 when he won the Irish 2,000 Guineas for a second time with Green Banner. The buying and selling side of the business remained successful, and one of Kerr's most enthusiastic later clients was Stephen Sokolow, a Brazilian-born horse race owner who was prominent in French racing circles. Sokolow bought several yearlings from Kerr that excelled on the track. Among the more successful were Roll of Honour, who won the 1970
Grand Prix de Paris The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), an ...
, and Hard to Beat, who won the 1972 French Derby. Both of these horses were ridden by
Lester Piggott Lester Keith Piggott (5 November 1935 – 29 May 2022) was an English professional jockey and horse trainer. With 4,493 career flat racing wins in Britain, including a record nine Epsom Derby victories, he is widely regarded as one of the grea ...
. Kerr & Co. Ltd still survives, and it claims to be the "oldest established still trading bloodstock agency in the world". Today the company is managed by Bert Kerr, Jr., a nephew of the original Bert Kerr.www.directoryoftheturf.com
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Honours

Bohemians *
League of Ireland The League of Ireland is a national association football Sports league, league consisting of professional clubs in the Republic of Ireland and Derry, Derry City in Northern Ireland. It is governed by the Football Association of Ireland. It was ...
: 1923–24 *
League of Ireland Shield The League of Ireland Shield is a defunct Irish football tournament which was introduced when the League of Ireland started in 1921 and ran uninterrupted until 1972. It was played before the league season began and was seen as the third most imp ...
: 1924


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kerr, Bertie 1896 births 1973 deaths People educated at O'Connell School Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Association footballers from County Dublin Men's association football fullbacks League of Ireland XI players League of Ireland players Bohemian F.C. players Olympic association footballers for Ireland Footballers at the 1924 Summer Olympics Horse racing in Ireland