Honour for renowned horse trainer
OYLEGATE-BORN Jim Bolger, the man described by a Canadian television station as ‘ the best flat horse trainer in the world’, was the guest of honour at a civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. Tony Dempsey in the Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig.
Jim (77) has won the Epsom Derby and the Epsom Oaks, two Irish Derbies, two Irish Oaks as well as five Dewhurst titles in 10 years.
In 1991, he broke a 70-year record for the number of winners in a year, training 126 winning horses on the flat and 10 over jumps.
He has produced such famous horses as Jet Ski Lady, Trading Leather, San Jovite and Give Thanks.
Mayor Dempsey said the civic reception was in recognition of the contribution that Jim Bolger has made to the economic life of Wexford where he has a breeding farm at Redmondstown, Oylegate which is run by his brother Paddy and his nephew Ken.
Employing 100 people, the renowned horse trainer also has equine establishments in Rathvilly, County Carlow and Glebe House in Kilkenny.
He was one of the first trainers to come up with the idea of racing horses up a hill for increased strength and stamina and chose Glebe House because it sits on an incline.
Born on Christmas day in 1941 to Watt and Katie (nee Doyle) Bolger, Jim was educated at Oylegate national school and the CBS secondary school in Enniscorthy where he was inspired by Micháel Toibin, father of the author Colm Toibin and Brother Cripps.
After leaving school, he studied accountancy at the College of Commerce in Rathmines but a love of horses engendered by his father on the family’s Oylegate farm, sent him on a different path, armed with a strong work ethic, into the world of horse racing.
Mayor Dempsey said in those days horse racing was the exclusive preserve of the extremely wealthy but Jim Bolger broke the mould and opened the door for ordinary people to become involved.
Following his marriage to Jackie and the birth of his two daughters Fiona and Una, Jim bought a yard in Clonsilla, Dublin and embarked on a career as a horse trainer, using a scientific approach to the training of horses for Arab and Irish owners. He went on to become a very successful breeder and entrepreneur.
Mayor Dempsey said that Jim Bolger has shared his outstanding success with the community and for several years, he has organised Hurling for Cancer, bringing together jockeys and former hurlers to play against each other for charity and raising a total of €830,000 for cancer research to date.
He has been a big supporter of Wexford hurling and football and has played a major role in the sponsorship of Wexford hurling and football, he said.
A teetotaller all his life, Jim took the pledge at Enniscorthy CBS and recalled that Brother Cripps said at the time that he would be the first to break it but he proved him wrong. He is a regular Mass-goer and a believer in the values of Catholicism.
In addition to being a hugely successful horse trainer, he is also a tremendous trainer of men, the Mayor said.
‘Some of the world’s best jockeys have trained under Jim Bolger including AP McCoy. Others who went on to become successful trainers in their own right also started out with Jim, namely Aidan O’ Brien and Willie Mullins, and here in Wexford, Paul Nolan.’
Jim was accompanied at the civic reception by his wife Jackie, his daughters Fiona and Úna and his brothers and sisters. Also in attendance were many of Wexford’s outstanding hurlers over the decades including Dave Bierney, Dan Quigley, Willie Murphy, John Quigley, George O’Connor, Hopper McGrath, Martin Storey, Larry O’ Gorman, Tony Doran and Damien Fitzhenry as well as Wexford footballers including Shane Roche.
Cllr. Dempsey said that over the years, Jim has given opportunities to disadvantaged young people in Limerick and Dublin, enabling them to experience the world of horse racing and to develop their personal talents.
The chairman of County Wexford GAA, gave a speech in which he spoke about Jim’s contribution to GAA over many years.
The Bishop of Ferns, Denis Brennan was unable to attend the reception but sent an apology in which he recorded his appreciation of Jim’s company at matches in Wexford Park.
A ballad group comprised of Aidan Codd, Billy Codd and Ray Stafford provided entertainment at the event.