It was four years ago yesterday that Stodge, Graham (who, sadly, no longer seems to post on here) and I said cheerio and see you soon to our forum member Nick Hagan at Lingfield. Nick died just a few weeks later at the age of 44, from pancreatitis, leaving his widow Frances and two lovely daughters.
Nick was an ebullient Geordie, who looked remarkably like John Belushi in his 'Blues Brothers' persona. I enjoyed super racecourse hospitality through the Hagans, and really liked their two bright, very amusing girls. Nick was a member of the FANTASY CRUSADER partnership and wanted to eventually do nothing but run horse partnerships. He asked me to look over a young filly for a partnership he was starting up, and we went off to Paul Thorman's Trickledown Stud in Hampshire to look over his selection. I was reluctant to go as I told Nick I knew bugger-all about youngsters, but he said as long as she had four legs and I thought she looked okay, he was pretty much sure he'd buy!
The youngster became ONE ALONE, who at the time of the inspection I had no idea was bred by our very own Songsheet! Nick put together the partnership, with Songsheet as second partner, and was looking forward enormously to seeing what James Given - the yard nearest to his home in Bury St Edmunds - would do with her. Sadly, this was denied Nick by his early and sudden death. Songsheet gallantly took over the running of the partnership at no cost to the members, who at one time included Ardross, myself, and my mother. ONE ALONE had a career blighted by injury and in spite of showing good promise over hurdles, was retired to her second trainer's stables - Jean-Rene Auvray's in Upper Lambourn, where she lives today.
I'd intended to put up this little word about our delightful, late forumite earlier, but I hope his memory won't fade from here. He enjoyed the forum, adored his family, loved racing as much as his wife's salmon en croute, and was always generous with the champagne! Cheers, Nick!
Nick was an ebullient Geordie, who looked remarkably like John Belushi in his 'Blues Brothers' persona. I enjoyed super racecourse hospitality through the Hagans, and really liked their two bright, very amusing girls. Nick was a member of the FANTASY CRUSADER partnership and wanted to eventually do nothing but run horse partnerships. He asked me to look over a young filly for a partnership he was starting up, and we went off to Paul Thorman's Trickledown Stud in Hampshire to look over his selection. I was reluctant to go as I told Nick I knew bugger-all about youngsters, but he said as long as she had four legs and I thought she looked okay, he was pretty much sure he'd buy!
The youngster became ONE ALONE, who at the time of the inspection I had no idea was bred by our very own Songsheet! Nick put together the partnership, with Songsheet as second partner, and was looking forward enormously to seeing what James Given - the yard nearest to his home in Bury St Edmunds - would do with her. Sadly, this was denied Nick by his early and sudden death. Songsheet gallantly took over the running of the partnership at no cost to the members, who at one time included Ardross, myself, and my mother. ONE ALONE had a career blighted by injury and in spite of showing good promise over hurdles, was retired to her second trainer's stables - Jean-Rene Auvray's in Upper Lambourn, where she lives today.
I'd intended to put up this little word about our delightful, late forumite earlier, but I hope his memory won't fade from here. He enjoyed the forum, adored his family, loved racing as much as his wife's salmon en croute, and was always generous with the champagne! Cheers, Nick!
I was in touch with Frances and the girls (Joanna and Katie) a few times after attending Nick's funeral, last time being Christmas. They're managing, but Nick's absence was still evident. I'll be giving Frances a call before I go to Norfolk as, with Suffolk being just next door, there's a chance she might be up for a nosh out!
h34r: