RACEHORSE owner Frank Cruess-Callaghan from Cabinteely in Co Dublin died peacefully last Monday. He was 86.

He had success on the flat with trainer Ted Curtin before teaming up with Arthur Moore for more than 20 winners over jumps.

Moore said: “Ted introduced Frank to racing and he did well with cast-offs from Nelson Bunker-Hunt. Broussard won the Ulster Derby for him. We had some nice jumpers for him, notably Owen Bart who won good handicap hurdles at Tralee and Listowel.

“Frank was a great man, who loved his racing and was a good sport, win or lose. He was also a very good poker player and played against professionals in tournaments, often quite profitably in the Aviation Club in Paris.”

Cruess-Callaghan made his name in business by rescuing Waterford Stanley, maker of cast-iron cookers. He retired around the turn of the century and lived in Italy for a while before returning home.

In failing health in recent years, he spent most of Covid in his holiday home in Roundstone, Connemara, where he was said to have been very happy. He is survived by his wife Evelyn, their three children, and three children from his first marriage.