Nutshell: Steve Kisielewski, who for nearly 30 years was an outrider at Delaware Park, has died at age 68.
From a Delaware Park release
Steve Kisielewski, who was the lead outrider at Delaware Park for nearly three decades before retiring in 2007, passed away on March 4th in his home town of Wilmington, Delaware. He was 68.
Kisielewski, affectionately known as ‘Kiss,’ was a successful jockey on the New England circuit. The native of Derry, New Hampshire, started his riding career in the early 1960s. He rode at Narragansett Park, Suffolk Downs, Rockingham Park, Shenandoah Downs, and Green Mountain among others. Early in his riding career he rode for trainers Frank Ketzel, Bobby Lawrence and Leo Pambianchi. After retiring from riding, Kisielewski started an equally successful career as an outrider at Delaware Park.
“He was a natural with horses,” said Executive Director of Racing John Mooney, who hired Kisielewski to be an outrider Delaware Park in 1986. “His abilities as an outrider were incredible and his dedication and responsibility to his profession were always of the utmost importance. You knew when the unexpected did occur, everyone involved could always count on him. He approached every aspect of his life in the same fashion. He was an incredible man.”
Kisielewski is survived by his wife of 42 years, Pat Kisielewski, three sons Dean, Guy and Jesse Kisielewski, six grandchildren, and three sisters.
A life celebration will be held on Saturday from 1pm to 3pm in the New Castle Room at Delaware Park.
