LAST Monday we learnt of the passing of Bill Bourke, Ballyhack, Fairyhouse.

Bill was one of life’s gentlemen whose integrity and generosity made him a very special friend of everyone he met. He loved his politics, farming, racing and his community. However his greatest love was his wife, Gladys, and family.

He had two periods as a director of Fairyhouse, first in 1990 and he again joined the board in 2014.

As a landowner adjacent to the track he was always very conscientious on how his hedges and land looked as people tuned in to watch Fairyhouse on television.

He planted copper beech trees along the boundary of the racecourse and these will be a lifelong memory of Bill.

In turbulent times for the racecourse - before it was taken over by Horse Racing Ireland in 2006 - Bill and some of his colleagues helped to steady the ship, against some other board members.

In what could have become very choppy waters for Fairyhouse, those times could have led to a different outcome for the racecourse.

Bill’s heart was always in helping the racecourse for its long-term betterment, even if that wasn’t the easiest option.

The ‘Covid’ Irish Grand National of 2021 saw Bill and his family become public celebrities. Racegoers were not allowed on-course or into the facilities. The total attendance was less than 500. Bill and his family brought their tractor and trailer to a point on his land overlooking the first fence. They had a picnic in their Covid bubble as the horses sailed past.

A photograph of the moment adorned the front pages of several newspapers the following day and was later immortalised in a painting which was presented by the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners to Bill and his family last summer.

Bill was a very successful owner and breeder. He raced Savello with John Berry before selling it to Gigginstown House Stud. The horse won nine races under rules including the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

He also raced Cara Mara and Civena. He also loved his breeding and enjoyed his trips to Boardsmill Stud with his good friend William Flood, while he was not adverse to travelling to Munster and using the Coolmore and Rathbarry stallions.

Bill was also a council member and director of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners [AIRO].

Regina Byrne, AIRO manager, said: “He was the most generous, compassionate and kind individual who gave of his time voluntarily for the good of owners for over two decades.

“He held the role of honorary treasurer and always adopted a straight-forward, common sense approach in all his endeavours within the Association.

“His attention to detail and his dedication to ensuring everything was done correctly was always above reproach.

“He retired from the AIRO board in April and thankfully we celebrated his departure in conjunction with a remembrance day for Aiden Burns in his beloved Fairyhouse Racecourse in June.

“Bill will be fondly remembered always by his friends and colleagues at AIRO and by all who had the privilege of encountering and knowing such a wonderful gentleman.”

Bill will be sorely missed by his wife, Gladys, daughter, Marie, grandson, Stephen, and son-in-law, David.

The huge turnout at his removal and funeral this week in Ratoath was testament to the love so many people had for this unassuming man.

The reception afterwards in the Bobbyjo Restaurant overlooking his beloved Fairyhouse Racecourse was a fitting tribute which Bill would have loved.

P.R.