Legendary Irish trainer Kevin Prendergast dies aged 92
He trained over 2,000 winners, winning nine Classics and celebrating four Royal Ascot victories. His last winner came at Bellewstown last August when Chris Hayes steered Copie Conforme to victory.
Pidget was his first Classic winner, landing the 1972 Irish 1,000 Guineas at odds of 20-1 when partnered by Wally Swinburn. The filly went on to win the Irish St Leger later that year when TP Burns took the ride. Prendergast also won the Irish St Leger with Conor Pass in 1973, while he landed the English 2,000 Guineas with Nebbiolo in 1977.
Oscar Schindler then won back-to-back Irish St Legers in 1996 and 1997, while Awtaad was the trainer's last Classic winner in the 2016 when landing the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Prendergast followed the legacy of his father Paddy 'Darkie' Prendergast, who was crowned champion Flat trainer in the UK in three successive years in the 1960s. His first winner came at the Phoenix Park in 1963, with his training career spanning more than six decades.
His death on Friday came exactly 45 years after the passing of his father.
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