Racing greats mourn the loss of a true legend
PAUL CARBERRY led the tributes to his father Tommy after the death of the jump racing great at the age of 75.
The head of one of Ireland’s leading racing dynasties, Carberry achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Grand National both as a rider and a trainer.
He guided L’Escargot to victory over Red Rum in 1975 and saddled Bobbyjo to land the world’s greatest steeplechase in 1999, ridden by his son Paul, who confirmed the news.
He said: ‘He passed away just before lunchtime today. He’d been ill for a while and fought it for a long time.
‘He gave me a Grand National winner and has been great for Irish racing. He got the best out of everything he produced.’
Born in County Meath, Carberry soon made his mark as a jockey and was a multiple champion National Hunt rider in the 1970s.
He enjoyed great success on L’Escargot, winning the National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1970 and 1971.
Carberry also won the blue riband of jump racing on Ten Up, but was denied a fourth success when Tied Cottage, who was first past the post in 1980, was later disqualified on a technicality. He also won the Irish Grand National on Brown Lad in 1975 and 1976.
He retired from the saddle in 1982 to take up training and sent out Bobbyjo to win the latter race in 1998, the year before he went on to glory at Aintree.
Four of Carberry’s children — Paul, Philip, Peter and Nina — have carved out successful careers in racing.
Noel Meade is intrinsically linked to the Carberry family, with Paul filling the role as stable jockey during his career, while Nina has ridden as an amateur for the yard as well as operating as a racing assistant for Meade.
However, the handler’s connection to Tommy Carberry goes back further than that and Meade hailed him as a ‘genius in the saddle’. Meade said: ‘He was a legend, and a hero of mine from when I was a kid.
‘He rode the first winner I had in Galway on Larks Venture. I think it was just the second winner I’d had at the time after Tu Va, and he rode a good few for me.
‘He was a genius in the saddle, and Paul was very like him. Tommy could ride a horse to win from the front one day, and hold him and win the next day. He was a fabulous tactician and judge of pace, and just had that natural talent that is so hard to come by — it is bred in him.’
Frank Berry, who rode alongside Carberry and was a longstanding friend, reflected on their days together in the weighing room.
‘We had some great days together and I shared the jockeys’ championship with him in 1975. It was a huge day for me and a privilege to be able to do it,’ he said.
‘He was a good trainer for the ammunition he had and I was lucky enough to ride a few winners for him.’
Leading rider Barry Geraghty believes Carberry will long be remembered in racing.
He tweeted: ‘Very sad to hear of Tommy Carberry’s passing. He was a great character to be with who leaves a massive legacy.’
Fellow jockey Davy Russell paid tribute to Carberry’s versatility in the saddle.
‘He could win a Gold Cup on Thursday and a five-furlong sprint on a Friday, probably one of the greatest to step into a pair of boots. RIP Tommy Carberry,’ he tweeted.