HUNTING and racing friends of Louis ‘Paddy’ Neilson MFH will be saddened to hear of his passing in America last week after a short illness. Paddy was a true legend as a horseman in the USA. Educated at Princeton University, he worked later as a bond trader in Philadelphia.

However, he swapped the financial markets for a career of hunting, race riding and training. He shared the mastership with his daughter Sanna, along with Dixon Stroud, of Mr Stewart’s Cheshire Hounds, where he also acted as honorary whipper-in to huntsman Ivan Dowling from Co Galway.

Paddy loved hunting in Ireland, particularly in Limerick, Cork and Tipperary, with his friends and fellow masters of the Green Spring Valley, Jay Griswold and George Mahoney. The latter has horses in training with Gordon Elliot.

Paddy, who rode races in Ireland and Britain, was a legend in steeplechase racing in America, winning the American Grand National when he was only 15 years of age, and he went to make a clean sweep of the card that day. He was champion jockey for 10 years and won every jumps race worth winning including riding in the Maryland Hunt Cup 21 times, completing the course 15 times and winning the famous Cup three times.

His daughter Sanna rode two winners and trained the former Gigginstown House horse Guts For Garters to win it also. His other daughter, Kathy, trained the former Enda Bolger horse Young Dubliner to win the Maryland Hunt Cup with Askeaton jockey Brian Moran on board in what is still to this day the record time.

Have won the Hunt Cup on Uncle Merlin, the horse went to the Grand National at Aintree, but for some reason Paddy missed out on the ride. The horse led Mr Frisk and Marcus Armytage, the eventual winners, when unseating his rider at Becher’s Brook. It was felt by many that if Paddy was in the saddle that day then maybe it would have been a different result. Paddy trained for many years and also acted as an administrator at many steeplechasing racetracks.

Paddy is survived by his wife Toinette, his daughters Sanna and Kathy (from a previous marriage), and his extended family and many friends.

NM