In Memoriam (Racing People)

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Tony O Reilly , owner of Belvederian among others.
An international rugby player, his black and white hoops were the college rugby colours of Belvedere
Heinz sponsored the "Park 1500 " two year old race for many years, when Tony was chairman.
Run over five furlongs then, the Heinz 57 raceday was a mid summer highlight Dublin Horse show week at Phoenix Park racecourse.
The race was transferred to Leopardstown, then The Curragh and distance increased to 6 furlongs.
In the mid 1980s as a student, Tony O'Reilly and family were some sight to behold.
Tall, athletic, attractive, wealthy, happy people all they looked as good as living gets, each and every one .
Separation with wife Susan was followed by marriage to Chryss Goulandris , Shipping family in 1991.
It was said only Tony, despite his wealth could not be fazed by marrying someone wealthier than he was.
Somehow it all came crashing down, gravity being the winner as always.
May he rest in peace.
 
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Peter Russell .ex jockey and trainer.
Worked and rode for Charlie Weld and son Dermot through the 1960s and 1970s, winning a Galway Hurdle on DK's Galway specialist Spanner , a triple Amateur Handicap winner for DKW.
 
Our country seem emptier and lonelier today. Always thought of him as a national grandfather.
 
David Power, Bookmaker .
King of the ring in Ireland since the Paddy Power amalgamation, he loved the feel of notes between his fingers and stood at every decent race meeting long after he had to.
Had huge success with Sole Power and Slade Power, may he Rest In Peace.
 

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My brother spent a summer working in Germany with his son Paddy in 1991.Apparently David could come home from the races after losing £80K -would have his dinner and a drink and that would be the end of that -tomorrow was another day.The £80K would have bought you two decent houses in a Good area in1991.
Rest in peace.
 
Valdir de Souza, ex jockey who got a head injury at Grove Stud Fermoy and died since.
Many will remember when he celebrated Ayr Gold Cup "victory " on Majestic Times only to be pipped by a duo at the far side of the track.
Rest in Peace.
 
Peter Daly.
A Kanturk native, he started his long racing career with Paddy Mullins, riding winners and ending up as head man before joining Guy ST John Williams in 1979/80.
Was the man that made a steeplechaser of Daletta, his schooling and tuition made the horse an Irish Grand National winner.
A year or so later he took out a licence himself, winning the Butter Churn 4 yr old hurdle at Listowel with Triggerero .
He may have had a season or two in Scotland when his training career ended.
When Tony Mullins retired from race riding Peter became his right hand man.
Always immaculately dressed and groomed, he was a staple at the big race meetings and Festivals.
May he Rest in peace.
 
Johnny Mooney.
Not a name that will set memories ticking overtime, just a racing fan and member of the Whitegrass Syndicate.
A dyed in the wool Offaly man, the Faithful County native had an enthusiasm for National Hunt racing frequently found in that county.
Friday 13th September he was on the syndicate annual visit to Closutton to see their charges, update themselves on WPM's improvement to facilities and see the stable heroes and pets.
Group photos taken with the in training stock Old Bill Barley, Straight Home, Closutton and Moon Mariner.
Photos with WPM alongside a recently commissioned statue to Al Boum Photo, recently retired dual Gold Cup winner completed the visit.
On to Gavin Lawlor's pre training stables to view recently retired Dad's Lad and the new leases, half sisters to both Bargy Lady and Jazzaway who did the syndicate and Johnny proud in the Whitegrass colours.
Johnny planned to take shares in both, as the memories of sweet success, fun and celebration with the above named relatives proved too strong to resist.
He had enjoyed success from Ballinrobe to Listowel , Cork to Galway, Punchestown to Cheltenham but his heart was with the smaller, more intimate country meets where people had time for you.
So we said our goodbyes and planned to meet up at Listowel Harvest Festival , Straight Home due to run Sunday 22nd.
Johnny went home and was killed in a freak farming accident the following day.
Life can be that fickle folks, so enjoy it while you can.
Johnny did, so now he can Rest In Peace and we hope the equine team can keep the syndicate spirit and Johnny's memory alive.
 
Johnny Mooney.
Not a name that will set memories ticking overtime, just a racing fan and member of the Whitegrass Syndicate.
A dyed in the wool Offaly man, the Faithful County native had an enthusiasm for National Hunt racing frequently found in that county.
Friday 13th September he was on the syndicate annual visit to Closutton to see their charges, update themselves on WPM's improvement to facilities and see the stable heroes and pets.
Group photos taken with the in training stock Old Bill Barley, Straight Home, Closutton and Moon Mariner.
Photos with WPM alongside a recently commissioned statue to Al Boum Photo, recently retired dual Gold Cup winner completed the visit.
On to Gavin Lawlor's pre training stables to view recently retired Dad's Lad and the new leases, half sisters to both Bargy Lady and Jazzaway who did the syndicate and Johnny proud in the Whitegrass colours.
Johnny planned to take shares in both, as the memories of sweet success, fun and celebration with the above named relatives proved too strong to resist.
He had enjoyed success from Ballinrobe to Listowel , Cork to Galway, Punchestown to Cheltenham but his heart was with the smaller, more intimate country meets where people had time for you.
So we said our goodbyes and planned to meet up at Listowel Harvest Festival , Straight Home due to run Sunday 22nd.
Johnny went home and was killed in a freak farming accident the following day.
Life can be that fickle folks, so enjoy it while you can.
Johnny did, so now he can Rest In Peace and we hope the equine team can keep the syndicate spirit and Johnny's memory alive.
How incredibly sad. Can only offer my condolences
 
Yeah I'd have monkey business free 500 for one caller than ITV 7 any day.

I can't back 2 winners in a row let alone 7.
 
Billy Boyers (93) passed on last week.
A well known trainer from Rosses Point near Sligo, he rained Kilcoleman to win 1977 County Hurdle on a wet day when Meladon and Davy Lad also did Ireland proud.
He also won a Galway Plate with Sir Barry, Mr Clarke , his owner was Champion owner that year when his ten horses won 16 races; those were the days.
Noel Meade had a decent juvenile hurdler Chammsky (?) that ahd lost his way.
Noel recommended a change of trainer , thinking of Billy Boyers who used swim his horses in the sea of Rosses Point.
They instead went to Paddy Mullins, who won a few decent handicaps with him. OOps !
 
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