Tributes paid to racing legend Tommy Carberry

The former jockey, trainer and ‘marvellous horseman’ has died after a long illness at the age of 75

THE racing world has paid tribute to National Hunt legend Tommy Carberry, who has died (12 July) at the age of 75.

The Irish jockey and trainer will be always remembered as the rider who disrupted Red Rum’s winning run at Aintree, when he claimed the 1975 Grand National on L’Escargot.

After he retired from riding, he moved on to a training career, and accomplished the rare feat of winning the Grand National in both guises, when son Paul rode BobbyJo to victory in 1999.

Four times Ireland’s champion jockey in the 1970s, he also partnered L’Escargot to back-to-back triumphs in the 1970 and 1971 Cheltenham Gold Cups, winning the race again on Ten Up in 1975.

Four of his children — Paul, Philip, Peter and Nina — have continued his legacy, forging successful careers in racing.

He died in Curragha Nursing Home in his native County Meath following several months of failing health.

Paul said: “He had 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.”

Horse Racing Ireland’s Brian Kavanagh described Tommy as a “supreme stylist in his days in the saddle”.

“He will be forever remembered for riding top jumpers like L’Escargot and Tied Cottage, for his fatherin-law Dan Moore, and the Dreapers’ Ten Up and landing successes in iconic races such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Aintree Grand National.”

Frank Berry, who shared the Irish jump jockeys’ championship with Tommy in 1975, said it was a “sad day for racing”.

“He was a marvellous horseman — whether he was riding a chaser or a two-yearold it was all the one to Tommy Carberry. I don’t think we ever had cross words,” he said.

“I was privileged then to ride winners for him as a trainer. With the ammunition he had, he did a marvellous job.

“As a man, he was simply straightforward, such a good fellow.”

Many riders expressed their condolences on Twitter, including leading rider Barry Geraghty, who said: ““Very sad to hear of Tommy Carberry’s passing. He was a great character to be with who leaves a massive legacy.”