TOM Foley, trainer of National Hunt star Danoli, died on Wednesday after a long illness. He was 74.

Based in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, he shot to fame in the spring of 1994 when his stable star Danoli emerged as a brilliant novice hurdler. After finishing second in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, Danoli went on to win the Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham as the well-backed 7/4 favourite, partnered by Charlie Swan.

A month later the gelding won the Aintree Hurdle, with both Fortune And Fame and the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner Flakey Dove well behind.

Danoli won the Aintree Hurdle again in 1995 but picked up a leg injury which kept him off the track for nine months.

Amazingly, the horse recovered his best form to not only win a Grade 1 novice chase in December 1996 but he also managed to win the Irish Gold Cup in February 1997 in what, to this day, remains one of the most memorable races in recent history.

Danoli was retired in 2000 and spent six years as a tourist attraction at the Irish National Stud before he he was put down following a bout of colic.

Foley also enjoyed graded race success with The Subbie, Royal Paradise, Dariak and Dancing Hero. He also trained the very promising Moon Man, who looked destined for great things before suffering a fatal injury in 1995.

Foley saddled Rebel Gold to win three races over jumps this season, most recently at Gowran Park on January 28th, which was to be his final runner.

Tom Foley is survived by his wife Goretti and their children Adi, Sharon, Goretti and Pat.

READ THE BIG INTERVIEW WITH TOM FOLEY FROM MARCH 2018