POST-war German refugee, who became a leading Irish lightweight. Given a home by a Navan veterinary surgeon, at whose house he arrived with his worldly possessions in a cigarette tin.

Apprenticed to W.J. ‘Rasher’ Byrne in Castleknock, Wilf Berg rode his first three winners in 1956 for Glencairn trainer Seamus McGrath.

A double at Mullingar for trainer H.G. ‘Ginger’ Wellesley saw him retain the mount on Roberta when that Wellesley charge went on to win the Naas November Handicap.

Tom Dreaper then availed of Wilfred’s ability to claim off the lightest of weights to secure his services for Mighty Inquisitive, winner of the inaugural Leopardstown November Handicap at the 1956 flat racing finale.

Further handicaps came his way through the Hayes family’s Lavella, successful in the Irish Cambridgeshire in 1958 and again in 1960, the year in which he added an Irish Lincolnshire on Farney Fox for Charlie Weld.

Principal Irish winners ridden:

Who was Who in Irish Racing is nearing publication, the product of 10 years’ research by Guy Williams and Francis Hyland.

Intended as a companion volume – and a tribute – to the Sweeney Guide to Irish Racing, it will provide a potted history of all who warranted entry to Sweeney. Inevitably, some have disappeared without trace.

Hence this appeal to readers to fill in the gaps. Should you be able to provide further information, or even leads to that end, please contact either Francis or Guy.

Francis: francishy@eircom.net 087-237 2497

Guy: guywiliams@eircom.net 045-523 449