Michael Dixon

SUCCESSFUL owner and breeder, and twice an ITBA award recipient, Michael Dixon died on December 27th. The Oughterard, Co Galway man was in his 90th year.

He enjoyed his biggest success as an owner when Natalies Fancy, trained by Pat Kelly and ridden by Jason Titley, won the 1992 Galway Hurdle. The Jimmy Mangan-trained Noras Fancy, named in honour of his wife, was a Grade 2 chase and listed hurdle winner, while another useful mare he raced was V’Soske Gal.

Predeceased by his wife Nora, he is survived by his five children.

Geoff Tregaskes

THE sudden and unexpected death took place recently of Geoff Tregaskes of Downfield Cottage Stud in Sussex. Together with his late wife Nicky and advised by his great friend David Powell (Catridge Farm Stud), they bred from a small number of mares with great success. The most notable was Captain Rio (by Pivotal), who won the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and later a successful sire.

Other successes included Medicine Jack (by Equiano), who won the Group 2 Railway Stakes, and his half sister Agony And Ecstasy (by Captain Rio), a listed winner at Kempton. Over jumps they bred and raced the mare Ryde Back (by Bob Back), a winner of three races including a listed novices’ hurdle at Newbury.

Geoff was an affable and likeable man with a keen sense of humour and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

V.C.

Paddy Morrissey

DR Paddy Morrissey, owner of Gay Tie who won the 1978 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, has died. Gay Tie was trained by Mick O’Toole and ridden by John Fowler. The winner was the first five-year-old to win the National Hunt Chase since 1903 and no horse that young has won it since.

The 1978 race is chiefly remembered for the fall of the J.P. McManus-owned odds-on favourite Jack Of Trumps at the 17th fence.

Gus Fahy

FORMER jockey, trainer and retired Turf Club official Gus Fahy has died. He lived in Stradbally, Co Laois, and was married to Audrey (née Powell). A full tribute to Gus will appear in the next edition of The Irish Field.

Yvonne McClintock

BREEDER Yvonne McClintock from Cahir, Co Tipperary, passed away on Wednesday, aged 81.

She is survived by her sister Jean O’Brien, with whom she jointly owned Rochestown Stud. She was predeceased in 2018 by her soulmate Michael Higgens, who hunted the Tipperary Foxhounds for 50 years.