WELL-KNOWN in racing, breeding and the sport horse sector, Anthony Joseph (Tony) Molloy passed away peacefully on April 25th at his home in Crossogue, Ballycahill, Thurles.

A horseman who enjoyed hunting, breeding, showing and racing, he had a record second to none for producing good horses over the years from a handful of mares. In partnership with Ian Williams, from their mare Scotch Tune (Tartan), they produced Even Melody, a son of Even Money, who won twice over hurdles and 30 chases for Neville Crump, including the 1977 Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup.

Scotch Tune was grandam of the smart chaser in Delius (The Parson), while her half-sister Choice Archlesse bred the Gold Cup winner Silver Buck in 1982. He was not the only Gold Cup winner in the family, as Scotch Tune was the third dam of See More Business.

Tony’s passion was National Hunt racing and he was a steward at Thurles Racecourse for over four decades. For many of these years he served as chairman. He was a respected member of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, for whom he particularly enjoyed officiating at point-to-points.

He got pleasure and joy from the great characters in this sphere, admiring in particular the work and effort they put into the grassroots of racing.

In more recent times, Tony enjoyed the good horses that came from the farm at Crossogue, the likes of four-time French Grade 1 hurdle winner Galop Marin, Johns Spirit, multiple Grade 3 winner The Game Changer, and the Grade 2 novice chase winner Buckers Bridge. He had success with Fairy Fox who won at Dublin before going on to an international career in show jumping.

The last horse bred by Tony was Rhythmic Tune, and he derived a special pleasure when that gelding won over hurdles at Limerick last October, owned and trained by his son Mark.

Tony is survived by his devoted wife Veronica (née Wilkinson) whom he met during the Dublin Horse Show on his return from New Zealand. They would have been married 60 years in 2027.

The couple had six children, sons Mark and John, daughters Pippa, Anna-Rose, Kate and Tessa, 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His funeral mass was held at the Church of St. Cataldus, Ballycahill and was followed by a private cremation service.

LP/MM