JIMMY Cooke. This name stood for 92 years of colour, ‘craic’ and commitment to all things equine. A man who had acquired legendary status among those who knew him and among those who didn’t but had heard the stories. “It was an honour to know Jimmy” became a repeated phrase amongst the hundreds of people who came to the removal and funeral, but it was a truly special gift to be related to him. Ned Campion described Jimmy as a “great gentleman and horseman”.

A very recent and solid piece of advice to us from a man who gave his life to his two greatest loves - horses and his family - was “people don’t realise, horses can make the most loyal and intelligent of friends. The key is to listen to their story and see them and be kind to them. They will be your greatest partner if you stop and take time to listen. A touch of a hand here, a gentle pull on the rein like this, and a packet of polos. They are always my trick. Life’s full of time, the key is patience, you need to slow it down and don’t rush. Take it all in”.

Kindness

Jimmy’s lifelong love for horses began with a simple act of kindness during his school days, a moment that would define the man he would become. On a day plagued by howling wind and relentless rain, a young Jimmy returned home, soaked to the bone. His mother, immediately asked, “Where is your coat?” The innocent answer he gave became the foundation of a lifetime devoted to horses: “I saw the milkman’s horse on the way home from school, and I gave him my jacket so he wouldn’t get sick.”

In the midst of the pouring rain, the young Jimmy had climbed up to the back of the milkman’s horse and cart. With selfless determination, he removed his coat and draped it over the horse, with the makeshift rug shielding the animal from the unforgiving Irish weather. Jimmy then walked the remainder of the way home, up the Hill of Howth, wearing nothing but his shirt, content that his coat was serving a far better purpose.

This simple, heartfelt act reflected Jimmy’s innate compassion and unwavering love for animals. His love for horses was not just a passion; it was a reflection of his soul - a soul that was always generous, compassionate and attuned to the needs of others, whether they walked on two legs or four.

Jimmy’s love of horses and his family were entwined. He married Angela in their late teens, a love which began in a dance hall in Dublin and a partnership which lasted over seven decades with seven children, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren living proof of a life which taught so many, welcomed and touched even more. Jimmy’s love of horses became an inherent gene passed on to many of his family, following in his footsteps across the nation and indeed the world, pursuing careers in the equine industry across multiple disciplines.

Career

With their young family, Jimmy and Angela moved to Canada and that’s when Jimmy’s career in horses really began, in a small town outside of Toronto in the early 1960s.

Upon returning home from Canada, Jimmy’s life as a horseman continued alongside Teddy Counihan in Batterstown, where they worked together to select and produce many impressive young horses. Their adventures included trips throughout Europe, during which they had sourced and were transporting Irish horses for likes of Max Hauri and Ernest Paul Weier.

Jimmy fondly recalled various journeys and the memories made along the way. He travelled with Ronan Grassick and Brian Horgan to Switzerland, where they undertook the daunting task of driving lorries that, in Jimmy’s words, “should not have made it out of Dublin Port, let alone across Europe”. Yet, as always, Jimmy’s spirit prevailed: “Why not? We’ll give it a go!”

Their stories were filled with humour, mischief and adventure, true to his nature. One memorable escapade involved a stop at Disneyland in Paris on their way home from Switzerland in the horsebox, where Jimmy charmed his way in for free with his storytelling prowess. Jimmy didn’t limit his travels to just one continent; he journeyed all over the world with horses, first for Eddie Brennan and later with Cooper Transport alongside Dessy Dully.

He flew to destinations like Hong Kong, America, Canada, and Japan, with tales that always brought hearty laughter to those who listened. Jim Bolger recalls a big trip Jimmy undertook. “In 1992, when Mrs Payson was keen to show her World Champion Saint Jovite to her American friends, having turned down an offer of $40 million, she asked me to get the most competent people available to accompany him on the trip. I knew Jimmy was a professional groom and a regular with shipping companies, so no better man who was accompanied by Saint Jovite’s regular handler Pat O’Donovan. Needless to say all went well.”

The next 40 years saw Jimmy’s natural eye for horses take him on many journeys and the ‘80s showcased his innate talent for bringing on young horses. In this time, between Ashtown, Hamwood Stud and then moving to Kileen, he regularly hunted alongside Dr Austin Darragh with the Ballymacads and worked in the Motor Manufacturers on the Naas Road as Head of Maintenance and there he worked with Jim Bolger, whom it turns out, passionately shared his love of horses and a friendship began. This friendship included a very infamous horse, Moynard, which Jim, Paddy Quinlan and Jimmy all rode. “Cookie was a man who defied gravity on a horse,” Paddy said. “And one who had the notorious philosophy of “if you can’t do it, I bloody will”.

Achievements

He had many great horses over the years and will be remembered alongside the names of horses such as Suil Na Eireann and Slievenamon. His greatest achievements include producing the chesnut Puissance horse Slievenamon ridden by Comdt John Ledingham and then the historical day in Dublin, on which he was responsible for three horses competing for three different nations in the Aga Khan Trophy on the same day.

It was not all show jumping for Jimmy. He dabbled in racing as an amateur trainer, buying a mare previously in training with Arthur Moore and owned by Lady Clague and Sue McCullen. Kilim had some challenges, and she had yet to win a race, but as was Jimmy’s way, there were no half measures. Kilim went on under his training to win two races in the same week - one over hurdles ridden by Michael Cummins and one on the flat ridden by Jimmy’s daughter Carol. He also pre-trained Go Dancing which ran under Jim Bolger and won in Navan.

He produced and trained many horses such as Kileen Castle, ridden by Capt Con Power and Ian Fearon, and went on to sell horses to the States, including Legolas and Froe Hill with buyers returning because of his keen eye and ability to find a diamond in the rough. He explored roads rarely travelled in the mountains of Lithuania in search of young stallions and they too continued on the road to America, including Ramiros Big Ben. No horse, with Jimmy, was a lost cause, no horse was undeserving of his time or patience. He had a way with them, hearing their fears, their troubles and taking the time to find a path to success together, even if it was the long way around. He had a talent for spotting potential future stars in the industry too.

Family man

Jimmy’s true greatness extended far beyond horses. He was a family man before any other title. Known for his ability to weave captivating stories and deliver jokes in a way which was often funnier than their punchlines, Jimmy had a unique ability to bring joy to everyone around him.

His mischievous twinkle and playful spirit made him unforgettable, whether he was playing Santa in a pony and cart filled with presents for his children or cheekily sneaking jam donuts into Frances’ judge’s box. Paddy shared stories of Jimmy plaiting his hair instead of the horses at a show in Athenry “because you can’t show up the horse with that hair” as Jimmy slagged. A proper sum up of the ‘craic of old’.

At home, Jimmy was a pillar of strength, wisdom and love. He was a teacher to his children, always saying that every day brought a new lesson to learn. He instilled values of patience, respect and teamwork, not only with horses but in life. To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was their best friend and trusted partner-in-crime, teaching them to face challenges with courage and bravery, just as he did throughout his life. Jimmy was a man who lived by simple but profound morals: respect, honesty and kindness. He welcomed everyone with open arms, and, alongside his beloved wife Angela, they created a home filled with warmth and generosity, where meals were always stretched to include all who came to dinner.

His bravery and unrelenting strength was evident even in his final days following his accident; defying medical expectations and courage, a testament to the extraordinary man he was. Jimmy’s legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him, reaching far and wide through the stories, lessons, and love he shared.

In 2016, Jimmy was awarded a lifetime achievement award from Showjumping Ireland for his commitment and support to the industry. Seamus Casey described Jimmy as “a magician with difficult horses, a horse psychologist in a way. He enjoyed the challenge of turning them around.” He also stated that “the world is a lesser place without him”, which is how each person connected to Jimmy, no matter how small. He was described by his friend Gerry Clarke Snr as “the best I ever knew”.

Jimmy was a force of nature and a man who will live on for many decades and generations to come. A phrase quite fitting here is that ‘you only truly die when a person says your name for the last time’ and, for Jimmy, he very well may be immortal in this regard. Heaven had called and beckoned their best. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

-Megan Cooke