Turf Writer Kerrison Dies at 92

Ray Kerrison, a writer for the New York Post from 1977-13 who covered 32 runnings of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and multiple other Triple Crown races, died Dec. 18 after a brief illness. He was 92.

"Ray was smart, kind, dryly witty and as committed to his craft as any journalist I've ever known," Bob McManus, The New York Post's retired editorial page editor, said in the publication's obituary honoring Kerrison. "He was a man of unshakable principle, which was obvious in his writing, but also a fellow who respected his readers' intelligence. His goal was to persuade, not to lecture, and while his work could be controversial, it always was honest. And he was a friend."

Kerrison was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1977 after covering a story where one horse, Cinzano, raced under the name of another, Lebon, at Belmont Park. The event was recorded as one of the greatest scandals at the New York track.

Born March 2, 1930, in Australia, Kerrison got his feet wet writing Down Under before coming to the States and working for the News Limited's New York Bureau. He later was employed to edit the National Star, Rupert Murdoch's U.S. publication, before covering horse racing with the Post beginning in 1977.

Kerrison is survived by his sons Damien, Patrick, and Gregory; daughters Catherine, Loretta, Louise, and Francesca; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Monica, daughter Maria and son John.

Funeral services were held at Blackley Funeral Home in Ridgefield, N.J., earlier in the week.