Vincent O'Brien, perhaps the greatest trainer of all time, died earlier today, aged 92, at his home in Straffan, Co Kildare, Ireland.
Funeral arrangements: removal to arrive at St Conleth's Church Newbridge Co. Kildare at 6pm on Wednesday 3rd June.
Funeral Mass on Thursday 4th June at 12 noon. House strictly private.
O'Brien secured 16 English and 27 Irish Classic victories, 25 Royal Ascot wins and 23 Cheltenham Festival successes during an amazing career which spanned 51 years.
He retired from training in October 1994 and had been spending his winters in Perth, Australia.
O'Brien began training in 1943 and quickly graduated from winning moderate races to sending out the likes of Cottage Rake to win the Irish Cesarewitch, the Leopardstown Chase, the King George VI Chase and three Cheltenham Gold Cups.
The trainer also masterminded the career of triple Champion Hurdle winner Hatton's Grace before buying the Ballydoyle yard in 1951 from where he sent out Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times to win consecutive Grand Nationals.
However, O'Brien eventually switched his attention to the Flat and handled the likes of Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Alleged, Sadler's Wells, Golden Fleece, The Minstrel, El Gran Senor, Ballymoss and Roberto during his stellar career.
O'Brien was also the original purchaser of Coolmore Stud and he set the wheels in motion for their worldwide breeding operation when he recruited John Magnier to run the farm.
The later recruitment of owner-investor Robert Sangster sealed Coolmore's place as one of the world's most important stallion stations.
O'Brien is survived by wife Jacqueline and five children including David, who trained the Derby winner Secreto and now lives in Perth, and Charles, who trains in Ireland.
Aidan O'Brien, the current master of Ballydoyle, issued the following statement:-
"It is with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of Dr Vincent O'Brien today. As for so many people in racing, he was my hero growing up.
"For Anne Marie and me to come to Ballydoyle, to the training facility that he established, was an extraordinary privilege.
"Dr O'Brien was tireless in improving the yards and gallops and we enjoy the benefits of his half-century of hard work and dedication today.
"We would never have been able to achieve our successes without the facility and gallops he built.
"There is nothing that compares to it anywhere in the world. I feel the sense of history every morning when I walk into the yard that had such horses as Nijinsky, Sir Ivor and Sadler's Wells.
"His dedication to the sport of racing and to the highest standards knew no bounds.
"It is humbling to follow in his footsteps."
Vincent O'Brien Factfile:
Name : Michael Vincent O'Brien.
Born : Good Friday, April 9th, 1917 in Churchtown, Co Cork.
First winner : Oversway, Limerick Junction, May 20th, 1943.
Final winner : Mysterious Ways, Curragh, September 17th, 1994.
Total winners in Ireland : 1,529.
Champion trainer in Ireland : 1959, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1989.
Champion NH trainer in Britain : 1952-53 & 1953-54.
Champion flat trainer in Britain : 1966 & 1977.
Irish Classics : 2,000 Guineas ( 5); 1,000 Guineas (3); Derby (6); Oaks (4); St Leger (9).
British Classics : 2,000 Guineas (4); 1,000 Guineas (1); Derby (6) Oaks (2); St Leger (3).
Major International Victories : Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3); French Derby (1); Washington DC I'ntl (1); Breeders' Cup Mile (1); Major NH wins: Aintree Grand National (3); Cheltenham Gold Cup (4); Champion Hurdle (3); Irish Grand National (1); King George VI (1).
Honours : Honorary doctorates from the National University of Ireland and Ulster University.
