A Friend, A Man, A Legend

Today racing lost one of the brightest sparks in the sport when learning about the death of Oliver Brady, not because he had the best horses or because he was the best trainer that ever lived, but for what he gave to the sport and how little he expected back other than respect. Some would even argue that he wasn't a genius, just a gentleman with a method to his madness, but the truth is that all of these are right.

His life wasn't entirely about Horse Racing although it did take up a significant part along with his close friend Rita Shah who owned the majority of his horses. Together they set up the Shabra Charity which also carried the name of a lot of their horses, but through their charity they helped donate to many good causes over the years. To this day the Charity has raised an astonishing 550,550 Euros and every penny of that has been donated to people in severe need in Ireland, Kenya and Nigeria. If you would like to donate then I shall leave the link below.

http://www.shabracharity.com/the-causes/donate-now/

Brady conducting the crowd to his beat

Oliver Brady was more known for his racehorses however, and in particular his winners enclosure antics after training and more often than not, tipping a winner. This was shown fantastically by AtTheRaces, however post race interviews never really went to plan as he would prefer to take the microphone and address the adoring crowd.

The biggest show in the winners enclosure, ironically came after he had a third placed horse at the Cheltenham Festival. In 2007 his horse Baron De Feypo chased home Burntoakboy in the Coral Cup at odds of 20/1 but could manage no better than twelfth in the County Hurdle when returning just two days later. Sadly, 'The Baron' never won another race, however Brady celebrated as if he had just won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He had promised a strip tease if Baron ran well and he didn't disappoint, but just when people got worried about him stripping to the hairs on his chest, he uncovered the final layer as a Monaghan GAA Football shirt.

He was incredibly proud of his hometown of Monaghan and one of his ambitions was to 'Put Monaghan on the map' which he did well, in this sport at least. This brings us to his most famous saying of 'Up Monaghan!!' which he once got the whole parade ring at Cheltenham chanting, regardless of if they knew what or where Monaghan is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8l9yOZg-Lw - Brady treats the crowd to a masterclass

We have to thank AtTheRaces and in particular Matt Chapman for introducing us to the gentleman that was Oliver Brady. Chapman was the best person to bring out and utilise Brady's madness and for years they had a love affair (Not literally) which is still unrivaled in this business. You can see via the link below that they had a rapport like no other and it was probably more the case that Chapman just let him tire himself out through talking, as long as that may have taken.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO8zQs3YN3o

Brady and Willie Mullins in a rare moment of silence

On the serious side of things, Oliver Brady had been struggling with an illness since 2003 and on the back of that he was given six months to live. But he fought that in his own way and despite doctors telling him that he couldn't get excited, he maintained his lifestyle of going racing and lived life the only way he knew how to.

Many felt that in 2009 his strong faith in the good Lord was going to be rewarded as his galloping grey Ebadiyan went off a fancied 8/1 shot in the Triumph Hurdle. Fortune was not on his side that day however as Ebadiyan ran out through a gap in the rails at the second last hurdle when still travelling strongly. That was undoubtedly his best chance at a Festival winner and would have eased the pain of Balapour being touched off by a neck in the 2003 County Hurdle. Oliver Brady never did train a Cheltenham Festival winner but I can only imagine the celebrations that would have taken place had he achieved that feat.

I'm afraid it has come to that time, the time where we say our final goodbye to another legend of our sport. One last thing to mention though, in his interviews or when he addressed the crowd he always mentioned that the 'Good Lord will take me when he needs me', that time came today and I hope he can find a good use for the great man.

For the last time I hope you can all join me in saying a final goodbye and a fond thank you for the years Oliver Brady, you were an inspiration and an asset to this great sport of Horse Racing. Up Monaghan!!

R.I.P Oliver Brady