Racing legend Vincent O’Brien has died

LEGENDARY racehorse trainer Vincent O’Brien has died aged 92.

Among his many achievements the Irishman trained six Derby winners and was twice British champion trainer.

One of his most famous horses was Nijinsky, who in 1970 won the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger, and was the last horse to win the Triple Crown.

In 2001 he was voted the greatest influence in racing history in a worldwide poll hosted by the Racing Post.

Before he turned to the Flat, Vincent trained National Hunt horses and won the Grand National in three consecutive years (Early Mist 1953, Royal Tan 1954 and Quare Times in 1955).

He also won the Champion Hurdle three years running (Hatton’s Grace 1949-50) and trained Cottage Rake to victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times (1948-50).

Vincent set up his famous training yard at Ballydoyle in County Tipperary, and in the 1970s established Coolmore, the hugely successful breeding operation, with Robert Sangster and John Magnier using the Northern Dancer bloodline, which produced stars such as the 14-time champion sire Sadler’s Wells.

Coolmore now also has studs in Kentucky and Australia.

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