Dr Fitz Gillespie dies aged 88 Dr John Fitzroy Gillespie passed away at his home in County Armagh on Sunday aged 88. He was a long-serving member of the Irish Turf Club and in recent times the IHRB holding various roles, and he was also a successful owner and breeder. “Fitz” as he was known to all his friends was for many years Master of the Tynan and Armagh Hunt that stages the annual point-to-point at Farmacaffley, and he liked nothing better than to win the Hunt Cup which he did on multiple occasions including three time-winner Allthree. He worked as a doctor for over 44 years and his voluntary service to horse racing was rewarded with an MBE in 2008. He bred Repeat The Dose, winner of the Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 1992, while Bahia De Palma, Duplate, Cortynan, Blue Alliance and Shantill Way were other horses he bred and owned. Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board CEO Denis Egan paid tribute to the long serving steward saying, “A real gentleman and a huge loss to the sport. May he rest in peace.” Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “Sorry to hear this sad news. Always a gentleman to meet and have any dealings with.” He was pre-deceased by wife’s Dr Barbara Ann Gillespie and Lady Elizabeth Jane Alexander Gillespie who passed away in 2017, and survived by his daughter Gael, sons Patrick and Rollo plus a large extended family circle.
