JOE Fisher, who passed away peacefully last Saturday (May 9th), was born in Ballinahinch, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow in 1930. His father, also Joe, was a renowned horse trader. Joe junior had a keen interest in ponies and show jumping and his father taught him the art of old-fashioned horsemanship.

Joe married Chris Davis in 1959 and lived in St. Doolagh’s, Balgriffen. He worked at Lime Hill Farm which was subsequently purchased by Michal Dargan, one of the most prominent businessmen in Ireland at the time.

Joe persuaded Dr Dargan to breed at Lime Hill and big winners bred included Young Inca and Modish, the latter bred by Joe. In 1995 the farm was purchased by William and Ann Egan and Joe persuaded them to invest in thoroughbreds. Success came fast with Group 1 winner Where Or When and Singapore Derby winner All The Way.

In 2010 Joe, with his sons Frank and James, bred Glory Awaits from his own homebred mare Sandbox Two. The son of Choisir finished second to Dawn Approach in the 2000 Guineas and won a Group 2 race in Turkey. A true gentleman, he is survived by his children Joe, Liz, Siobhan, Frank and James, seven grandchildren and a huge circle of friends. J.H.