NORTH Yorkshire trainer Alan Swinbank died suddenly on Wednesday. The 72-year-old had held a licence since 2001, sending out nearly 800 winners.

His best horse was Collier Hill, who developed from a bumper and hurdles performer into a three-time Group 1 winner. He won the 2005 Irish St Leger before going on to claim glory in the Canadian International at Woodbine and the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin the following year.

Turbo Linn landed a listed bumper at Aintree in 2007 before progressing to win that year’s Lancashire Oaks.

Fayonagh breeder wins monthly award

JOHN Bowe has won the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month competition for April. He bred Fayonagh, who followed up her Grade 1 Cheltenham Bumper success with a similar victory at Punchestown.