David McNeilly dies at 78.
David McNeilly, the Northern Ireland horse-trader, trainer and breeder, died on Saturday at the age of 78, writes Graham Green.McNeilly, of Ballyclare, Co Antrim, topped Doncaster's Spring Sale on several occasions over the 40 years in which he was a regular consignor, and many of the horses he sold have gone on to win major jumping prizes on both sides of the Irish Sea.
These included The Grey Monk, Twin Oaks, Ten Plus, Santa Concerto, and two of the runners in tomorrow's Galway Plate-last year's winner Moscow Express and Francis Bay.
Among the horses McNeilly bred were Bruslee, who is in Cheltenham's Hall of Fame, with his most notable success at Prestbury Park being achieved in the 1974 Mackeson Gold Cup; Canton, victor of the 1983 Scottish National; and Galway Plate winner Sir Barry.
McNeilly was a father of nine-his five boys all rode-and he leaves a widow, Elizabeth.
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| Title Annotation: | Sports |
|---|---|
| Author: | Greene, Graham (Writer) |
| Publication: | The Racing Post (London, England) |
| Date: | Aug 1, 2000 |
| Words: | 150 |
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