THE death took place on Tuesday of Michael Stroud (86).

He sourced many successful horses for the leading National Hunt trainers in Britain and was a popular, larger than life character on the sales, racing and point-to-point scene.

Among the top-class horses the Co Down agent found for clients was the Roselier gelding Bindaree who, in the colours of the Hannan family, landed a maiden at Loughbrickland in March 1999 under Kevin Ross before joining the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard. The chesnut won nine races including the Grand National at Aintre in 2002 and the following year’s Welsh National.

Many tributes have been paid to Michael Stroud since Tuesday including this, which encompasses the essence of the man, from his friend of over 40 years, Dr Welby Henry: “Michael was known for his honest, straightforward manner and for ensuring that he only recommended ‘sound’ horses.

“He practised ‘networking’ before it was invented or recognised and his skills and intuition as a bloodstock agent were unparalleled. He developed contacts throughout Ireland and the UK without apparent effort. He was genuine and greeted most people with ‘Hello, my friend’ and meant it.”

Among many other local friends were Wilson Dennison with whom, until frailty intervened, Michael travelled to sales all around the country, Ian Ferguson, George Stewart and Ian Buchanan. The late John Fowler was a close friend and Michael was a regular guest at the post-point-to-point, pre-Punchestown parties at Rahinston.

Stroud’s lengthy list of close acquaintances also included the late Basil Blackshaw, fellow artist Peter Curling and Simonsig’s breeder Simon Tindall.

Born in England and educated in Wales, Michael Edward Stroud spent most of his life in Northern Ireland having moved there when appointed manager of the Torrens-Spence farm near Downpatrick. He married Hilary Bruce from Lisburn and they were together for 65 years.

ONE OF A KIND

The couple had two children, Anthony and Jacqueline. The former, a partner in the Newmarket-based agency Stroud Coleman Bloodstock, told The Irish Field this week: “Dad was one of a kind, a legend and he will be hugely missed.

“His life in racing started when he had horses in training with Bunny Cox. Dad was a larger than life character, who was very active in the point-to-point and National Hunt scene in the North of Ireland but he greatly enjoyed his buying trips all over Ireland.

“He was deeply flattered to be recognised by the Northern region of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (in 2009) and, as much as he enjoyed racing, he enjoyed the people, friends and the craic.”

In addition to Hilary, Anthony and Jacqueline, Michael is survived by his much-loved grandchildren Otis, Finnian and Willa and to all these The Irish Field extends its sympathy. On learning of Michael’s death, the newspaper’s editor Leo Powell commented: “Michael was a unique character, always a pleasure to meet and a man with a great eye for a horse.”

His funeral service takes place at 2pm on Tuesday next, March 20th, at the Church of the Ascension, Glebe Road, Annahilt, Hillsborough.