SEAN Foran, the founder of Foran Healthcare and Foran Equine, was laid to rest yesterday (Friday), having died peacefully at home on Tuesday. He was 91 years of age.

From Lucan in Co Dublin, Sean established Foran Healthcare in 1974 and developed it into a market leader in the field of specialised animal nutrition and health care worldwide. The Foran Equine division supplies over 60 products to more than 50 countries. In 2013 the company joined forces with Connolly’s Red Mills.

Bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe is married to Sean’s granddaughter Sarah, and said of his passing: “Sean travelled the world and made business associations and friends everywhere he went. He was very proud of what he achieved. Any time I have been travelling to racing jurisdictions in Asia and Australia, the name Foran Equine is always recognised.

“Between himself and the Gleeson family in Ardmore, they really were towards the forefront of the horse supplement business. He was a visionary in exploring those foreign markets. He and his son David, who unfortunately predeceased him, travelled the world and really built up the Foran business to what it was before they sold it to Red Mills.

“He was a great mentor to young people as well. He always gave them a chance, took them under his wing and gave them jobs.”

Sean was a keen golfer, as a member of Newlands Golf Club for over 40 years, while he also had plenty of success with horses in training with Tom McCourt, who was a good friend of his.

“He was a big fan of Ireland as a racing nation,” Donohoe added. “He certainly realised how strongly Irish horses were perceived internationally and he would have been a big supporter of the industry by having horses in training and through sponsorship. He will certainly be missed.”

Predeceased by his son David, who died in 2010, Sean is survived by his wife Ena and granddaughters Sarah and Claire, and three great-grandchildren.