WE were saddened to learn of the death last Sunday of Co Down racehorse owner Elspeth Nicholson (née Mitchell), a woman who showed great strength of character and fortitude following the loss of her limbs through meningitis in 2007.

“Elspeth was an inspiration in terms of how she handled it,” said Elspeth’s husband Jim Nicholson, the former chairman of Down Royal racecourse to whom all in The Irish Field extend their sympathies. “She still loved going racing around the world and we also went skiing and on sun holidays; she didn’t let anything hold her back.”Elspeth’s sense of humour came through when answering Olivia Hamilton’s questions in The Owner column in this newspaper in early March 2017.

How do you feel owners are treated when not having a winner? “Not having a winner is part and parcel of owning racehorses.”

What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a racehorse owner? “Don’t, unless you are prepared to lose a large fortune!” At that stage, one of Elspeth’s horses was the Jessica Harrington-trained I’m So Fancy, who had had landed a Navan two-year-old maiden the previous October.

The Rajj filly ran well without winning in 2017, picking up placings in blacktype races. However, she came out the following season to carry Elspeth’s colours to victory in two mid-summer listed races at the Curragh where, on September 1st, she landed the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (Group 3). Following a third-place finish next time out in the Moyglare ‘Jewels’ Blandford Stakes (Group 2) also at The Curragh, I’m So Fancy was sold to continue her career in the United States.

Following a private committal, a Service of Celebration for Elspeth will be held in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Ballylesson on Monday at 2pm. If desired, donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Meningitis Research Foundation, c/o Norman McBriar & Son Funeral Directors, 37 Saintfield Mill, Saintfield, BT24 7FH.