RETIRED trainer Tom Bergin died this week in Freshford, Co Kilkenny. He was 86.

A point-to-point rider in the 1950s he was associated with the Tom Nicholson stable and looked after Bigaroon (three-time winner of the Irish Cesarewitch) and broke in Captain Christy, who went on to win the 1974 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Taking out his own training licence in 1970, his biggest wins included the 1974 Galway Hurdle with Just For Fun and the 1984 Galway Plate with Master Player. He also won the amateur handicap at Galwa with The Lady’s Master.

His son Thomas trains in Kentucky and another son Ray is a Turf Club official. Survived by his wife Mary (Ciss) and six children, his funeral mass is at 11am today (Saturday) in St Lachtain’s Church in Freshford followed by burial at St Lachtain’s Cemetery.