Deceased 2023 from RP

Remembering those we said goodbye to in 2023 who left their mark on racing

Paul Barber, joint-owner of Cheltenham Gold Cup winners See More Business and Denman, heads the list of racing personalities who have died in the last 12 months.

Barber, a dairy farmer and cheese tycoon who passed away on June 18 aged 80, appointed former jump jockey Paul Nicholls as the trainer at Manor Farm Stables, Ditcheat, in 1991.

As well as landlord, he was friend and mentor to Nicholls, who said of the man he regarded as a second father: “I certainly wouldn't be where I am without his help and advice . . . My lucky break in life was meeting him.”   

Barber's two Gold Cup winners were both outstanding champions who carried his green-and-white colours on the big day although, like nearly all his horses, he owned them in partnership.

See More Business (1999 Gold Cup) also won the King George VI Chase twice and Denman (2008) took Newbury's Hennessy Gold Cup twice. His other winners included Call Equiname (Queen Mother Champion Chase) and Clan Des Obeaux (King George twice).




His wife, Marianne, died only six days after him. Her first husband, former trainer John Ryall, died in November.

Jim Lewis, the flamboyant white-haired furniture importer who owned the Henrietta Knight-trained pair Best Mate and Edredon Bleu, died in February aged 88.

Best Mate is the only horse since Arkle to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times (2002-04), and Edredon Bleu won the Queen Mother Champion Chase and King George VI Chase.

Ghislaine Head died in the Bahamas in June aged 95, having survived her husband Alec by 11 months.

She was the matriarch of a dynasty, including her children Freddy and Criquette, that is French racing royalty. Among the champions who ran in her colours were 1979 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Three Troikas and Arc runners-up Pistol Packer and Bering.

Lady O'Reilly, a Greek shipping heiress who died in August aged 73, was Chryss Goulandris before her marriage to rugby star-turned-businessman Sir Tony O'Reilly and she bred Helissio, the spectacular 1996 Arc victor.

As an owner her best horse was miler Priolo, and she was chair of the Irish National Stud for 14 years. John Clarke, that stud's manager, then chief executive for a total of 27 years, also died in 2023.



The departed American owners included music industry giants Jerry Moss and Burt Bacharach, as well as Diana Firestone and Virginia Kraft Payson.

Jerry Moss, 88, co-founder of A&M Records with Herb Alpert, owned Giacomo (2005 Kentucky Derby), named after a son of Sting from his label's band the Police, and Zenyatta (Horse of the Year 2010), named after the Police album Zenyatta Mondatta.

Legendary composer Burt Bacharach, 94, named his homebred Heartlight No. One after one of his songs, and she became the US champion three-year-old filly of 1983.

Diana Firestone, 91, died in February, 19 months after her husband Bert. Their fillies ran in her name and their colts in his, so she had her colours carried to victory in the 1980 Kentucky Derby by Genuine Risk. Their best horse was the colt Theatrical.

Journalist-turned-Kentucky stud owner Virginia Kraft Payson, 92, had the Jim Bolger-trained St Jovite, who proved himself easily Europe's best Flat horse of 1992 with runaway victories in the Irish Derby and King George.

Industrialist Dick Bonnycastle, who died in March at 88, was a stalwart of Canadian racing for half a century and was also a Classic-winning owner with Barry Hills via 35-1 shot Enstone Spark in the 1978 1,000 Guineas.

Brereton Jones, 84, of Airdrie Stud was a successful breeder and politician, serving four years as governor of Kentucky. He was well respected, unlike J.T. Lundy, 82, who was president of Calumet Farm, with champion sire Alydar its prize asset, until it became overwhelmed with debt.

It was widely suspected that Lundy was responsible for Alydar's death in 1990 in an insurance fraud. He was later imprisoned for a different fraud.

Multi-billionaire Chelsea landowner Earl Cadogan, 86, was a former deputy senior steward of the Jockey Club, while Christopher Gaisford-St Lawrence, 93, held the same job in Ireland and owned the Howth Castle estate.

We also lost publisher Nick Robinson (Dibidale), Peter Ridgers (Harry Angel), Richard Aston (Goldford Stud), Les and Betty Ward (Wyck Hall Stud) and whisky distiller Peter Russell, who died at 95, three months before his daughter Lucinda trained her second Grand National winner.

Many of the late owners were famous in other walks of life, like football commentator John Motson, soft-porn tycoon David Gold (joint-owner of David Junior), astrologer Margaret Lake (alias Mystic Meg), mining tycoon Sir Rudolph Agnew and "philandering baronet" Sir Peter Graham-Moon.

Jockeys
Edward Hide: the man who made the **** of the North title his own is 81
Edward Hide: won the Derby in 1973
Credit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)
Edward Hide, a Derby winner and one of the ten most successful Flat jockeys of all time in Britain, died on September 7 aged 86.

This Shropshire lad with a toothy grin was the top northern-based jockey 16 times, won 2,593 domestic races including six Classics, and had a reputation as one of the brainiest tactical riders.

Hide triumphed in the Derby in 1973 on the Arthur Budgett-trained Morston, whom he saw for the first time in the paddock at Epsom.

At the time of his retirement he ranked sixth on the list of jockeys who had won most Flat races in a career in Britain, and he now stands in tenth. He was No.1 among those who were never champion but Joe Fanning now holds that unenviable distinction.

Hide's best mount, champion sprinter Lochnager, was trained by Mick Easterby, who also said farewell to two of his other jockeys, Jock Skilling and Australian Terry Lucas.

Two of Monksfield's riders died in October. Tommy Kinane, 90, partnered that paragon to the first of his Champion Hurdle victories, beating Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse in 1978, and trainer's wife Helen McDonogh, 82, rode him to his last success.

Tim Norman, who died in August aged 79, was a journeyman jockey who won the Grand National on 50-1 shot Anglo for Fred Winter in 1966.

Two Hall of Fame jockeys, Bobby Ussery (US) and Irwin Driedger (Canada), passed away. Ussery finished first in the Kentucky Derby on Proud Clarion (1967) and Dancer's Image (1968), only for the latter to be disqualified.

Filip Minarik, 48, a Czech-born jockey who was champion four times in Germany, never recovered fully from a race-riding fall in 2020, and we also lost ultra-lightweight Ray Reader and champion apprentice Stephen Davies.

Trainers
Jonathan Sheppard: The first man to send out 1,000 jumps winners in the USA
English trainer Jonathan Sheppard after Forever Together's win in the filly and mare turf
Credit: Edward Whitaker
Among the distinguished trainers who died in the last 12 months were two US Hall of Fame members, Jonathan Sheppard and John Veitch.

British-born Sheppard, who died in August aged 82, was the most successful jumps trainer of all time in the US, having been champion 29 times by earnings and 26 times by wins.

His horses received 13 Eclipse Awards as champion steeplechaser and Flatterer, who claimed four of them, was runner-up in the 1987 Champion Hurdle. He also trained Storm Cat, who became champion sire, and two Flat champions.

John Veitch, who died in February aged 77, trained Alydar, runner-up to Affirmed in all the Triple Crown races in 1978 and the greatest racehorse of all time who was, technically, not a champion. He trained four horses who did collect an Eclipse Award.

South African training legend Herman Brown died in March aged 93. He was mentor to champion jockey Michael Roberts and his best horse was Gatecrasher, disqualified after finishing first in the Durban July Handicap in 1975.

Newmarket handler Neville Callaghan, who died last month aged 77, trained Champion Hurdle runner-up Royal Derbi and Danehill Dancer, Ireland's top juvenile and a future champion sire. In 1975 he saddled the first winner owned by Michael Tabor.

Paddy Prendergast jnr and Milton Bradley were also successful dual-purpose trainers, and both died aged 88.

Prendergast counted Corrib Chieftain and Blue Wind (as a two-year-old) among his best horses, while Bradley had a knack of turning cheap horses into prolific winners, notably The Tatling, who landed the King's Stand Stakes in 2004.

The ranks of former jumps trainers lost Martin Tate, Harry de Bromhead, John Spearing and Cath Walwyn.

Martin Tate, 99, trained for half a century and his best horses were Champion Hurdle third Flash Imp and top staying hurdler Bajan Sunshine. He was expert at laying a horse out for a long-range coup, and his big-handicap winners included Bawnogues and dual Cheltenham Festival victor Scot Lane.

Harry de Bromhead, 86, scored his biggest successes in 1993 when Fissure Seal won the races that are now Cheltenham's Pertemps Final and the Punchestown Gold Cup. He built the foundations for the dazzling success achieved by his son Henry at the family's Waterford stables.

John Spearing, 82, trained his best horse, Run And Skip, to win the Welsh National and come fourth in Dawn Run's Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1985-86, while Cath Walwyn, 94, widow of Fulke Walwyn, trained for three seasons in her own name.

The toll also included Paul Felgate (Shuttlecock Corner), Eric Wheeler (Green Dollar), David Brown (Frederick Engels), Dave Morris (Bay Of Islands), Alistair Charlton (Lord Dorcet), Andy Lynch (Zabana) and former footballer Francis Lee.

Among the other departed foreign trainers were Lou Rondinello, who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes with Little Current in 1974, Breeders' Cup-winning handler Bill Kaplan, and dual Indian Derby winner Altaf Hussain.

Miscellaneous
British-born Jonathan Irwin, who died last month aged 82, was among the biggest names in Irish racing in the 1980s as the man in charge of both Goffs and the now-defunct Phoenix Park racecourse.

A showman and innovator, he was ahead of his time with ideas that were much copied, such as Europe's first million-pound race, the Cartier Million, and sponsorship of all races.

Of all the people who have died in the last 12 months, the two who may have most influenced the sport both departed in the second week in January.

Professor Sir Alan Budd, 85, former chief economic adviser to the Treasury, was the chairman of the Gambling Review Body set up by the Labour government in 2000. Its 2001 report recommended measures to abolish restrictions on betting, and it led to the Gambling Act 2005 and the creation of the Gambling Commission.

Barry Allen was a pioneering scientist who specialised in analysing the blood profiles of racehorses, diagnosing when they were fit and healthy, and he helped Martin Pipe to dominate the jumps scene for many years.

Of the other late game-changers, Jonathan Sparke was a pioneer of sports spread betting as co-founder of City Index in 1983, while Lord (Nigel) Lawson was the chancellor of the exchequer who abolished on-course betting tax in 1987.

Gerry Cranham was the leading racing photographer of his generation; David Conolly-Smith acted as the Racing Post's reporter in Germany for many years; and Sir Ian Good was the chairman at Hamilton Park.

Cody Dorman died aged 17 on November 5, the day after the horse named after him, Cody's Wish, won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for the second time.

Leslie Dorman comforts her son Cody in the winner's circle after Cody's Wish won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in 2022
Leslie Dorman comforts her son Cody in the winner's circle after Cody's Wish won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in 2022
Credit: Dylan Buell
Cody was confined to a wheelchair and could not speak, but the pair forged a bond when the Godolphin horse was a foal. His battle against adversity, combined with his obvious affinity with the horse, was inspirational and provided US racing with much-needed positive publicity.

Tragedy
Classic-winning Australian jockey Dean Holland, 34, was killed in a race-riding fall at Donald, a country racecourse in Victoria, on April 24.

Holland won two Group 1 races - the Australasian Oaks in Adelaide and Australia's premier sprint, the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington, the latter only six weeks before his death. He also won the Adelaide Cup twice.

Assistant trainer Todd Scherer, 62, was shot dead in a tack room at Fonner Park racetrack, Nebraska on March 9. A man has been charged with his murder.

Human obituary 2023
January
David Gold 86 Joint-owner of David Junior
Sir Patrick Hogan 83 Owner of Cambridge Stud 1976-2018
John Stubbs 89 Former Sporting Life SP reporter
Virginia Kraft Payson 92 Owner-breeder of St Jovite & L’Carriere
Barry Allen Blood-testing pioneer
Prof. Sir Alan Budd 85 Chairman of the Gambling Review Body 2000-01
Sir Sam Whitbread 85 Co-sponsor of the Whitbread Gold Cup 1972-2001
Tim Nixon 86 Owner-breeder of Sail By The Stars & Fortescue
Andy Lynch 76 Trainer of Coscorrig & Zabana
Howie Tesher 87 Trainer of Lieutenant’s Lark & Influent
Cath Walwyn 94 Widow of Fulke Walwyn
Milton Bradley 88 Trainer of Mighty Marine & The Tatling
Peter Russell 95 Joint-owner of Ahoy Senor
John Waugh 91 Former Newmarket trainer & stud manager
Alistair Charlton 89 Trainer of Ida’s Delight & Lord Dorcet

February
Sir Peter Graham-Moon Bt 80 Former owner with Richard Hannon snr
Burt Bacharach 94 Owner-breeder of Heartlight No. One & Afternoon Deelites
Diana Firestone 91 Joint-owner of Genuine Risk & Theatrical
John Veitch 77 US Hall of Fame trainer
Diane Bromley 76 Former joint-owner of Wood Farm Stud
Mike Carroll 72 Joint-breeder of Maryfield
John Motson 77 Former owner with Walter Swinburn
Jim Lewis 88 Owner of Best Mate & Edredon Bleu

March
Peter Ridgers 76 Owner of Jimmy Styles & Harry Angel
Paul Felgate 81 Trainer of Gemini Fire & Shuttlecock Corner
Dick Bonnycastle 88 Owner of Enstone Spark & Hawaiian Sound
Ralph 'Ted' Hirons 87 Rider of Stanton Johnie
Stephen Davies 53 Champion apprentice 1994
Margaret Lake (Mystic Meg) 80 Breeder of Rayvin Black
Baroness Masham of Ilton 87 Former amateur rider
Fred Brei 80 Joint owner-breeder of Jackson Bend & Awesome Feather
Dave Morris 74 Trainer of Saifan & Bay Of Islands
Herman Brown 93 Former champion trainer in South Africa
John Spearing 82 Trainer of Run And Skip & Simon

April
Lord Lawson of Blaby 91 Abolisher of on-course betting duty in 1987
Ken Wingrove 84 Bridgnorth trainer
Bernard Hargreaves 77 Chief stipendiary steward in Hong Kong 1991-97
John Snaith 67 Former jump jockey
Ray Reader 94 Rider of Colonist & Patient Constable
Ralph Ziadie 84 Trainer of Sir Bear & Silver Wagon
Peter Dever 61 Rider of Artifice & Bluff Cove
Dean Holland 34 Rider of Small Minds & In Secret
Kieran Lennon 57 Owner of Springhill Stud
Richard Aston 68 Joint-owner of Goldford Stud & chairman at Bangor

May
Norton Brookes 82 Former joint-owner of Wickfield Stud
David Sewell 81 Owner of Araldur & Oh Crick
Bill Kaplan 77 Trainer of Musical Romance & East Hall
Irwin Driedger 66 Canadian Hall of Fame jockey
Eric Wheeler 85 Trainer of Green Dollar & Dancing Mystery
Betty Ward 88 Joint-owner of Wyck Hall Stud
Lois Green 84 Joint-owner of D.J. Stable

June
John Clarke 72 Manager/CEO of the Irish National Stud 1982-2010
Ghislaine Head 95 Former co-owner of the Haras du Quesnay
Joe Tate 82 Former apprentice with Jack Ormston
Lord Bolton 69 Rider of The Froddler & Goolagong
Earl Cadogan 86 Owner of Money Market & Right Wing
Susan, Duchess of Richmond and Gordon 90 Goodwood director
David Killick 90 Rider of Solimyth
Terry Lucas 72 Rider of Amyndas & Individualist
Paul Barber 80 Joint-owner of See More Business & Denman
Les Ward 92 Joint-owner of Wyck Hall Stud
Marianne Barber 85 Wife of Paul Barber
Robin Grossmith 74 Rails bookmaker
Martin Tate 99 Trainer of Bawnogues & Bajan Sunshine
Sir Roger Buckley 84 Former chairman of the BHA appeal board

July
Jonathan Sparke 76 Co-founder of City Index 1983
David Conolly-Smith 83 Former Racing Post reporter in Germany
Tommy O'Neill 70 Former Dublin trainer
David Wallis 81 Former head lad to Luca Cumani & John Gosden
Harry de Bromhead 86 Trainer of Fissure Seal & Bishops Hall
Peggy Augustus 90 Breeder of Johnny D & Stellar Wind

August
Jerry Moss 88 Joint-owner of Giacomo & Zenyatta
Rachel Tonks 76 Former stipendiary steward
Leslie Garrett 91 Owner of Romany King & Our Armageddon
Ken Richardson 84 Flockton Grey fraudster
Lady O’Reilly 73 Breeder of Highest Honor & Helissio
Jonathan Sheppard 82 US Hall of Fame trainer
Ben Perkins 89 Trainer of Five Star Flight & Conveyor
Tim Norman 79 Rider of Anglo & Kilburn

September
Filip Minarik 48 Four-time champion jockey in Germany
Edward Hide 86 16-time **** of the North
John O'Hara 63 Former Racing Post Weekender journalist
Sir William Gage 85 Former co-chairman of the BHA appeals board
Sir Rudolph Agnew 89 Co-owner of Baltic King & Waterway Run
Sally Williamson 72 Former Richmond trainer
Brereton Jones 84 Co-owner of Airdrie Stud
Nick Robinson 87 Owner of Dibidale & Kilijaro
Paddy Prendergast jnr 88 Trainer of Corrib Chieftain & Blue Wind
Mike Grech 63 Owner of River Wylde & Brandy Love

October
Francis Lee 79 Trainer of String Player & Sir Harry Hardman
Paul Burgoyne 71 Rider of Mr Flyer & Fighting Taffy
Frank Whittle 86 Former jump jockey
Tommy Kinane 90 Rider of Monksfield & Stranfield
Rayson Nixon 87 Former Selkirk permit-holder
Sue Cameron 81 Publisher & bloodstock agent
Gerry Cranham 94 Former racecourse photographer
Helen McDonogh 82 Rider of Monksfield
Christopher Gaisford-St Lawrence 93 Owner of Sweet Farewell
Sir Ian Good 80 Racecourse chairman at Hamilton Park

November
Phil Smith 67 Racecourse photographer
Charles Nugent 61 Steward at Haydock & Cartmel
David Brown 79 Trainer of Doncaster Rover & Frederick Engels
Alan Horrocks 76 Rider of Brython & Horbury
Neville Dunnett 86 Director of the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory 1990-95
Bobby Ussery 88 US Hall of Fame jockey
John Ryall 87 Trainer of Sir Frosty
Leon Blusiewicz 92 Trainer of Snow Plow & Willa On The Move
Lou Rondinello 95 Trainer of Little Current & Tempest Queen

December
Jock Skilling 86 Rider of Granville Greta & Boismoss
Theresa Marnane 61 Joint-owner of Bansha House Stables
Neville Callaghan 77 Trainer of Royal Derbi & Danehill Dancer
Jonathan Irwin 82 Managing director of Goffs 1975-89
Mike Roberts 80 Owner-trainer of Bitofamixup
J.T. Lundy 82 President of Calumet Farm 1982-91