Racing world gathers to mourn genius of sport Vincent O'Brien

A RICHARD Stone Reeves portrait of Vincent O’Brien throwing an eye over the great Nijinsky lay casually propped against the church entrance and inside, musicians played soft renditions of The Galway Shawl and The Fields of Athenry, as hundreds of figures from the racing and business worlds gathered in the Co Kildare sunshine for the removal of “a genius who altered the world of racing”.

The mourners were led by Jacqueline O’Brien, their three daughters, Elizabeth McClory, Susan Magnier and Jane Myerscough, and two sons, David and Charles, 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. With them as they entered the church were John Magnier and Gerry Gallagher, the trainer’s right-hand man, “who was leading up Vincent’s horses since God was a child”, in the words of a mourner.

Many tributes and accolades were paid to Vincent O’Brien – who died on Monday at the age of 92 – in recent days, said Fr Joseph McDermott, the parish priest at St Conleth’s Church, Newbridge: “It was said that his achievements in racing and breeding may never be surpassed. We read that he was the greatest trainer of all time . . .

“But there was much more to this man than his racing exploits. He was a great family man; he was very devoted to his wife, Jacqueline, and to his five children. He was a proud and doting grandfather and great-grandfather.”

But more than that, he was a man who cherished his faith and this helped mould the values he lived by, Fr McDermott said.

A book of the Gospels was placed on his coffin.   Two grandchildren gave readings which included the familiar verses from Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal . . . ”

During the short service, Fr McDermott also read a poem by Padraig J Daly: “I feel no anger at your death, Flailing and floundering though I am at your loss, More an upsurge of gratitude for the way you blessed us. We have known the bounty of autumn and settle into winter, With a harvest of rich apples”.

Current and former politicians in attendance included Minister of State at the Department of Finance Martin Mansergh, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and former taoisigh Liam Cosgrave and Albert Reynolds.

Among the many faces from the racing and business world were Aidan O’Brien, Tim Hyde, Mick O’Toole, Edward O’Grady, Kieran Fallon, Suzanne Macdougald, Jim Bolger, Christy Roche, Tommy Stack, Charlie Swan, Kevin Prendergast, Ted Walsh, David Nagle, Robert, David and Philip Myerscough, Dermot Desmond, JP McManus, Jane Darragh, Prof John Hegarty, solicitor John Power, Dermot Cox, Johnny Roe, Georgie McGrath, Toss Taaffe, Adrian Maxwell, Johnny Weatherby, Mark Weld, Tom Mullins and   John Hayden.

The life of Dr Michael Vincent O’Brien will be celebrated at noon today at a thanksgiving Mass, with music from the St Patrick’s Cathedral Choir and a homily by Fr Bruce Bradley.