LEADING owner and breeder Joerg Vasicek has died following an accident while on holiday.

He, together with his wife Diana, owned Kenilworth House Stud in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and enjoyed many great successes as an owner, winning the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and Group 1 Matron Stakes with La Collina, and the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes with Termagant.

The best runner to carry his colours over jumps was Bilboa, multiple graded winner over hurdles and fences and third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

While enjoying his many racecourse successes as an owner, Joerg also derived great pleasure from breeding winners and sale-toppers. A current flagbearer for his breeding operation is the five-time Grade 1 winner Carlingford Lough, while other smart performers to emerge from Kenilworth have been Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle winner Thisthatandtother, and Cheltenham Festival winner What A Charm.

Joerg is survived by his wife Diana, his daughters Caroline and Anita, his extended family and many friends who will remember him fondly and miss his contagious enthusiasm and love of life. A gathering in celebration of his memory will be held on Monday, December 5th at 2.30pm in the Hotel Minella, Clonmel.