IT was with great sadness that the racing world – and particularly those involved in the point-to-point sphere – learned of the death on Wednesday of Peggy Hagan.

“Peggy was an absolute lady and will be sadly missed,” said Graham McKeever, who trained for the doyenne of northern racing for the past five years. “She came into my yard at a critical time and we had about 14 wins. She loved her horses, loved seeing them race and loved the craic – she enjoyed life to the full.

“Of the horses she had with me, Chosen Dream was her baby but the craic we had with Balnaslow, who started off being trained for Wilson Dennison by my father (Colin), was great. Although he was narrowly beaten in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham, Peggy said that was her favourite day’s racing ever as all her family were there.”

GRANDSON

Peggy was very much family-orientated and loved being accompanied to the races and point-to-points by her grandson Jamsie and she delighted in the company of his friends. She also followed with great passion the career of her son James on the FIA Masters Historic Formula One championship circuit.

“Just three weeks ago, Peggy asked myself and (wife) Katie around to have a Chinese with her, James and his partner Anne. She was talking about the plans for her 90th birthday party (scheduled for November 15th) and we had a great night,” reported Graham. “She was very good to our family and we were all extremely upset when we heard she had died.”

In writing about Peggy Hagan, Ron McKnight not only mentioned her horses but also her love of style and fashion.

MCKNIGHT

“Peggy, who was always elegantly attired and won the fashion stakes at point-to-points, was an ardent supporter of jump racing for decades but enjoyed tremendous success in the past couple of years with Chosen Dream and Balnaslow. Age and ailments were no barrier to Peggy supporting her runners and, only last season, she travelled to Aintree, Cheltenham and Stratford.

“While Jim’s Choice which won numerous races was possibly her favourite horse, having been bought by her husband Jim just prior to his passing, Balnaslow supplied several highlights last season.

“Partnered on each occasion by multiple champion rider Derek O’Connor, he won the Champion Hunters Chase at Punchestown, finished runner-up in the Aintree Fox Hunters’ and the Champion Hunters’ Chase at Stratford, all following a very close fifth-place finish in the Foxhunter at the Cheltenham Festival. He was trained by Graham McKeever as was Chosen Dream who won a total of nine point-to-points and a hunters’ chase.

“Peggy was an inspiration and proudly boasted her age and passion for her horses when interviewed on television at Stratford. Gawn Home was another horse she owned with the prefix being her maiden name. She will be very sadly missed on the racing circuit by her very many friends. Very sincere condolences are offered to the large family circle.”

A Service of Celebration for Peggy’s life will be held at 10 o’clock this morning in Second Ballyeaston Presbyterian Church followed by interment in Ballyclare Cemetery. It is typical of the woman that Peggy left this request: “Bright colours are to be worn and no black ties please.”