THE funeral Mass for former Turf Club chief medical officer Dr Walter Halley takes place next Monday at 10am in Dublin. Aged 76, Dr Halley passed away peacefully on Wednesday following a long illness.

He took on the role of chief medical offier in 1989 and retired in 2007. During his time with the Turf Club, he oversaw the introduction of many health and safety initiatives at racecourses and for jockeys in particular.

In 2015 Leopardstown Racecourse staged a race in his honour and presented him with a Lifetime in Racing Achievement Award.

Two of his best friends in the Turf Club, Jimmy Johnston and Peter McGouran, have fond memories of their colleague.

Johnston said: “Walter was a true gentleman. He was very easy to deal with and very thorough in everything he did. He always had a good word for everyone. He was a kind person. What he probably enjoyed most was being in the company of his friends and colleagues in the Turf Club. He loved a bit of craic and socialising. We had some happy times on the golf course and we will miss him greatly.”

McGouran added: “Walter a very good friend, a man you could talk to about making changes on the racecourse and he would always come up with the right answer. He was a gentleman on and off the racecourse and looked forward to playing a bit of golf when he could. He was a great character and, while this is a sad time, it was a happy release for him.”

LAID THE FOUNDATION

Denis Egan, CEO of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Body, said: “I worked with Walter for over 10 years in the Turf Club and, apart from being a work colleague, he became a close friend.

“He did great work for the jockeys and laid the foundation stones for the medical systems which are in place today. He will be greatly missed by everyone in racing.”

Dr Halley’s successor as Turf Club chief medical officer Adrian McGoldrick added: “I knew Walter for over 30 years and he was an absolute gentleman. He was a very kind, caring person and a lovely man to share time with.

“He was instrumental in bringing much higher safety standards to Irish racecourses and stimulated my interest in racing and in particular all matters related to safety at our tracks, something we have striven to carry on and advance since his retirement in 2007.

“He was closely involved in the setting up of the European Racecourses Medical Officers Association and the Racecourse Medical Officers Association in Ireland. He was highly respected and popular with all his colleagues at home and abroad.”

Andrew Coonan of the Irish Jockeys Association commented: “Walter helped change attitudes towards health and safety throughout the industry.

“That set the foundations of our present system which ranks at the highest level globally in terms of protections for riders.

“Personally, I always found Walter to be a man of integrity and my sincerest sympathies go to his wife, Helen, and family.”

Helen and Walter had three children – Nick, Jenny and Suzie.

His funeral Mass is in St. Mary’s Church, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, at 10am on Monday, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, should be forwarded to the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund.