FORMER racehorse trainer Con Horgan died this week in Oxford, aged 79, after a short illness.

Born in Cork, he was a cousin to brothers John and Jimmy Horgan who enjoyed classic success with Don’t Forget Me and Tirol in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Horgan’s brother Bryan told The Irish Field: “Con went to England in 1970 and was assistant to Capt Ryan Price before taking out his own licence in 1983. His best horse was Western Dancer, winner of the Ebor at York in 1985 and the Chester Cup a year later.”

He trained for a time at Billingbear Racing Stables near Ascot, a premises with royal connections. In 1992, Horgan sent Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother some photographs and information about the yard. He received a reply from Clarence House to say the Queen Mother “was so interested to see how the Yard looks in its new guise and hopes you will have many successful years training in such delightful surroundings”.

Horgan, who specialised in flat racing, retired in 2008 and lived with his wife Barbara in Wiltshire. Bryan Horgan said: “Con was diagnosed with a serious illness in March and his health deteriorated quite quickly. He followed racing right to the end and we spoke regularly on the phone.”

Con Horgan’s funeral will take place in England. Details will be available on rip.ie when confirmed.