O'Kelly plied his trade as a conman in London's coffee-houses and, through his gambling contacts, introduced clients to Hayes. It is reported that O'Kelly himself took in female clients. Within eight years, they had amassed a total of £40,000, enough to branch out into racehorse ownership. They also came to own a significant property portfolio, including Clay Hill estate outside of Epsom, Cannons Park, a substantial villa built by William Hallett Esq, and former estate of the Duke of Chandos in Stanmore, Middlesex also property in Piccadilly and Half Moon Street in London
