THE church in Bansha, Co Tipperary, was overflowing on Tuesday with mourners attending the funeral Mass of Theresa Marnane, who passed away last Saturday. Aged 61, she died peacefully at home after a short illness.

Wife of Con Marnane of Bansha House Stables, Theresa (née Sweeney) was a solicitor who graduated from UCD and Blackhall Place. She worked with a legal firm in Tipperary town. However, she was best known in racing and bloodstock circles as an owner and breeder.

Palace Episode carried her colours to success in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy in 2005. Different League gave Theresa and her family an unforgettable day when winning the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2017 and this year Givemethebeatboys won the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes in the Marnane colours.

Despite the neverending bloodstock sales calendar, Con and Theresa took a one-month holiday in Thailand earlier this year and Con described it as “best time of my life.”

Addressing the congregation on Tuesday, a “heartbroken” Con recalled seeing his future wife for the first time at Maas in the same church 43 years ago. At that time Con was overjoyed to discover Theresa was an animal lover who rode out for a local trainer. They shared a first date at Tipperary Racecourse “and the rest is history”.

Close to tears, Con described Theresa as “the best thing that ever happened to me” and “an absolute superstar of a woman who I was so proud to call my wife.”

Theresa Marnane is survived by her husband Con and their daughters Amy and Olivia, and Theresa’s mother Breda.

Con hopes to organise a fundraiser next year for cancer charities.