Racing

Tributes paid to Jacqueline O’Brien (89)

Widow of legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien passes away in Dublin

Ms Jacqueline O’Brien, pictured with her husband Dr Vincent O’Brien and President Mary Robinson. Photograph: Alan Betso/The Irish Times
Ms Jacqueline O’Brien, pictured with her husband Dr Vincent O’Brien and President Mary Robinson. Photograph: Alan Betso/The Irish Times
Brian O'Connor
Tue Mar 15 2016 - 19:52

Tributes have been paid to Jacqueline O’Brien, widow of the legendary trainer, Vincent O’Brien, who died in Dublin on Tuesday, aged 89.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, was among those to pay tributes and said: "It is very poignant on the opening day of Cheltenham, a place that Jacqueline and Vincent were so closely associated with for many years.

“It is a really sad day. She was much more than just the wife of Vincent O’Brien: in her own right she was a fantastic lady - a very talented photographer, very talented fundraiser, philanthropist and a key member of the Ballydoyle team through the golden years.”

Mrs O’Brien married her husband in 1951 after travelling to Ireland from her native Australia.

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They had five children, including their youngest son Charles, also a trainer, who is due to run Henry Higgins in Friday's Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle at Cheltenham, a race that commemorates his father who died in 2009, aged 92.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column