LIAM Browne, the former classic-winning trainer, died peacefully on Saturday. He turned 89 this month.

As a jockey, he was champion apprentice three times in the 1950s and was based with Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast. As first jockey to trainer Mick Rogers, he rode the winners of the Tetrarch, Gallinule and Pretty Polly Stakes and he also rode as second jockey for Vincent O'Brien for a season.

After a spell working outside of racing in Britain, he returned to the Curragh and took out a trainer's licence in 1971. Based at Maddenstown Lodge, his string gradually increased and he had his first big breakthrough in 1978 when Mr Kildare won the Sun Alliance Hurdle at Cheltenham. Two years later he trained Slaney Idol to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and in 1982 the Browne-trained Dara Monarch, ridden by Michael Kinane, won both the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes.

Dara Monarch was a 5,000gns purchase and another of Browne's inexpensive buys was Carlingford Castle who cost 7,500 guineas and was sold for £660,000 after finishing second to Teenoso in the 1983 Epsom Derby.

In more recent years, his best horses included the 2003 Saval Beg Staks winner Queen Astrid and 1999 Irish Lincolnshire winner Wray,

The Browne academy also produced a long line of top class jockeys, headed by Kinane. Others to have learned their trade through his yard included Jamie Spencer, Tommy Carmody, Stephen Craine, Mark Dwyer, Michael Fenton, David Parnell, Warren O'Connor and Pat Gilson.

In an interview with Michael Clower towards the end of his career, Browne described his 'tough love' policy when coaching apprentices: "I gave them plenty of stick but not once did I ever hit any of them. I would watch them when they were riding and whenever they rode a bad race I would give out to them, often on the drive home. I would keep harping on at them, and it made them.

"I felt I was a bit like Sir Alex Ferguson. He has one of the most difficult jobs of all because he is training millionaires and he has to have control over them. If they don't behave he puts them on the bench for three or four matches. That was what I did. I would stand them down, bring them back to earth."

In total Browne trained close to 800 winners in his career, including 58 in Group and Listed races before retiring in 2004. In 2011 he received a Lifetime in Racing Award at the Curragh.

Predeceased by his wife Anne, he is survived by five children including his son Martin who was a champion apprentice and also trained on the Curragh. Another son Dermot was a dual champion amateur in Britain. Two of his grandchildren, Max and Liam, have also had success as jockeys.

Reposing at Rigney's Funeral Home, Athy (R14 TX26) on Monday evening (April 27th) from 6pm until the conclusion of the Rosary at 8pm. Removal on Tuesday morning (April 28th) to arrive at The Carmelite Church, Kildare Town for Requiem Mass at 12 noon.