THE death has taken place of Martyn McEnery of Rossenarra Stud. Forever achieving a footnote in racing history as the breeder of the three-time Grand National winner Red Rum, Martyn was a gentleman in every sense of that word.

Originally based at Kilmoganny, the McEnery family moved their Rossenarra Stud in 1964 to Goodwinsgardens at Kells in Co. Kilkenny. Now owned and run by Martyn’s son John, the stud has enjoyed huge success, both as a breeding establishment and previously as a stallion farm.

The McEnery family had a long tradition of standing commercial stallions, including Pardal, Polyfoto, Jupiter Pluvius, David Jack, Tanfirion, Fayruz, Saffron Walden and Windsor Knot.

The stud has long been regarded as a prolific source of winners. Father and son at Rossenarra can lay claim to playing a pivotal role in the careers of flat stars such as Dick Turpin, The Deputy, Heeraat and Halmahera, while in addition to the great Red Rum, the stud was also responsible for the Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Remittance Man and Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle winner Bacchanal.

Quietly spoken

Quietly spoken and a man who eschewed the limelight, Martyn and Máire were thrust centre-stage in 2011 when they were presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

One of the features of the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, where John is a director, is that the trophy is one of the most impressive in Irish racing. It was given by Major Dermot McCalmont to the Kilkenny Show for a class confined to potential hunters, and was won by the McEnery family of Rossenarra Stud with a five-year-old gelding ridden by Martyn. The family gave it to Gowran Park for the first running of the Thyestes.

Martyn is survived by his wife Máire, daughter Hazel Russell (Ballinalard Stud), sons John and Paul (Vinesgrove Stud) and a large and loving circle of family and friends. Reposing in Molloy’s Funeral Home, Callan on Saturday, May 4th from 5pm with rosary and vigil prayers at 7.30pm. Funeral arriving to St. Eoghan’s Church, Kilmoganny on Sunday, May 5th for funeral mass at 12.30pm. Burial afterwards in Kilmoganny Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to St. Joseph’s Home, Kilmoganny. House private.