IT is almost half a century since Bertram R. and Diana Johnson Firestone celebrated their first classic success, when King’s Company triumphed in the 1971 Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh, and earlier this year they closed the door on their ownership of horses when a handful of stock sold from their Newstead Farm at the Keeneland January Sale.

Though they and their distinctive racing colours may not have been so prominent during the last decade, the impact Bert and Diana Firestone made as owners and breeders cannot be forgotten. They also invested in Ireland, enjoyed their visits here and made Kildare a second home away from Catoctin Farm in Virginia.