BELINDA Warwick, a familiar face and well-known figure in racing and breeding circles, died on May 18th. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, she had lived in Ireland for almost 30 years. She was predeceased by her father Fred, by her beloved sister Vanessa and by her close friend Stephen McCarthy.

An intensely loyal person, she was a stalwart of John Mulhern’s Rathbride Stables during the heady days of success with the likes of Flashing Steel, Wolf Of Badenoch, On The Other Hand and Approach The Bench. The core of the tight-knit team at that time was John, Stephen and Belinda.

After that she then went on to be secretary at Sheila Grassick’s Newtown Stud and was always on hand at the sales in the Brian Grassick Bloodstock barn end to provide a welcome refuge from the madness with her teas, coffees and goodies – and a smile. Most recently she had been working for Clodagh McStay at Oaklawn Stud, back working with the horses which she loved.

A lady in every way, she was an animal lover who rescued every distressed creature abandoned on the Curragh.

She was a warm and lovely human being. Belinda is survived by her mother Dawn and her brother Grant, and by a wide circle of friends. A celebration of Belinda’s life will be held at a later date.