TODAY marks the 80th anniversary of Linaria’s win in the Irish Oaks.

A champion juvenile the year before, when she had won the Railway Stakes and Beresford Stakes, Linaria was trained in Kildalkey, Co Meath, by Dick McCormick.

Not only did Dick bring over Charlie Smirke from England to ride her in the Irish Oaks, but he also secured the services of Atty Persse’s farrier Jim Wood to shoe the filly with special pads to help her cope with the firm ground.

Dick McCormick learned his trade with Atty Persse in England, during which time he rode The Tetrarch in work. Dick returned to Ireland and began training in 1944. He quickly established himself as a talented trainer, especially with fillies. He was based on the Curragh when he died in 1963.

Influential

Linaria later became an incredibly influential broodmare. Imported to the United States in 1956, she is a direct tail-female ancestor to multiple Grade 1 winners, including 2017 champion two-year-old colt Good Magic and Breeders’ Cup champion Ce Ce.

We’re grateful to Dick’s son Richard for supplying us with the poem (right) which was penned in tribute to the 1948 Irish Oaks winner.

In tribute to Linaria

More luck, Dick McCormick you showed them the way

To turn out a champion with your filly to-day,

A splendid performance – all credit is due

To the filly, her jockey and also to you.

As they go to the post with their jackets so bright

With their various colours they make a grand sight,

Linaria’s favourite, and she sure looks the part

As they come under orders and are ready to start.

They’re off, roars the crowd as they’re set on their way

All out for the honours in this Classic today,

With Dastrace and Spillikin disputing the lead

As Smirke on the favourite is steadying his steed.

As they come out of the dip and race on up the hill

The pacemakers dropped back and their chances are nil

With Tommy now leading and going quite well

But whether he’d stick it we’d very soon tell.

As they swing into the straight the crowd let’s a roar

As Smirke on the favourite is well to the fore,

He takes up the lead and is striding away

He looks 10 to one on in this big race to-day.

But old Morny is coming, he’s far from being done

He brings Turkish Tune with a beautiful run,

But the daughter of Turkhan holds on to her lead

To win by a neck like a champion indeed.

So here’s to Linaria, her owner and you

And here’s to the colours the pink and the blue,

And also her jockey who rode a fine race

And in the list of our champions she’s well worth her place.