
Kevin Prendergast dead: Ruby Walsh leads tributes to ‘trailblazer' Irish horse racing trainer
RUBY Walsh is among many prominent horse racing figures to pay tribute to Kevin Prendergast after his death at the age of 92.
The son of the legendary Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast, he carried on the family business by establishing himself as a hugely successful flat trainer.
Having been an amateur jockey early on in life, he obtained his trainer's licence in 1963 and embarked upon a glittering career with over 2000 winners.
Speaking on today's ITV coverage from Royal Ascot, Walsh hailed Prendergast on a personal as well as professional level.
Walsh emphasized: "He followed in the footsteps of his father Darky, and he trailed for long enough to compete against the great Vincent O'Brien and Aidan O'Brien, and he was a trailblazer.
"His horses always looked impeccable. He was a brilliant racehorse trainer.
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"He was a legend in the sport, but he was a massive character, and he will be sadly missed."
His final winner came in August when Chris Hayes rode Copie Conforme to victory at Bellewstown.
More to follow...
Moment Royal Ascot racegoers hurl punches in vicious brawl in front of shocked punters
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He's been hailed as 'a brilliant racehorse trainer'

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Irish Times
44 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Cercene provides Joe Murphy and Gary Carroll with first Group One success in Coronation
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Cercene upstages Zarigana while Eithical Diamond shines on momentous day at Royal Ascot for Willie Mullins
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"This is 50 years of work, that's what it is, of love and care, and all for the owners we have, all our people, it's just a whole group of people together. This is heaven on earth. "It's a lifetime's ambition to have a Group One winner. She's by Australia - a sire I love - and her half-brother (Perotto) won the Britannia so the pedigree was there and if she was an inch bigger I wouldn't have her! "I was hoping Lake Victoria stayed in because we'd have a lesser race and then we'd have pace and ride her easier, you know what I mean. "She travelled well, Gary gave her a great ride, and we were thinking that being by Australia she'd stay as well. She was headed and came back again. She waited for something to head her, but she's very tough and a dream to train. The plan was today so now we'll draw new plans." Carroll said: "It's unbelievable. I've been riding a long time now and been placed in plenty of Group Ones. This is my first one and if I was ever to ride a Group One winner it was for Joe Murphy. "I've been riding for him since I was a 7lb claimer and he's been very, very good to me so I'm delighted I can repay him. "She ran a blinder at the Curragh where the slow pace didn't suit. We went a bit better gallop there today, got to the front a furlong and a half out and she waited, the French horse came and headed me; to be fair to this one she's not big but she's very tough and she stuck her head out for me. "It's hugely satisfying to win a Group One. They're so hard to come by. Good horses are very hard to come by. To do this, Royal Ascot, magic. "After the Guineas run, a better run race there she'd have finished closer again, I think she's taken a step forward from there and she's ultra-tough, she doesn't know when to give up." 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Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
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