tribute

Lit by charisma and shaded by fate, the subfertile George Washington left just one foal, but 20 years after his electrifying 2,000 Guineas win his grandson Distant Storm, against considerable odds, could now follow suit By Emma Berry  A generous shot of brilliance and a dash of temperament, preferably neither shaken nor stirred. Are those the ingredients that make the good ones great?  In the case of George Washington, that heady cocktail had his fans woozy throughout his first two seasons on the racecourse. Champion two-year-old, Classic winner and champion...

At Barn 47 on the Santa Anita backstretch Friday morning, stable staff was going about its business a day after the passing of trainer John Shirreffs. Among those at the barn was Shirreffs's top client, owner Lee Searing of C R K Stable. "He was a great man. It was an honor to have him in our lives," Searing said. Shirreffs died in his sleep in the overnight hours of Wednesday into Thursday morning at the age of 80. According to Searing, he was found passed away on the couch...

by Richard G. Hogan It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to my best friend, Mike Doyle. I first met Mike when I came to Canada in 1983, and we became instant friends. Over the 40-plus years that followed, there were very few days we didn't speak. Mike brought so much laughter into my life, often leaving me in tears from his stories and quick wit. When I was dealing with my cancer diagnosis, he called me every day. I always felt better after hanging up...

by the Doyle Family The family of Mike Doyle is deeply saddened to share that he passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025, at the age of 74 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 23, 1951, Mike carried with him a true Irish spirit, warm-hearted, charismatic, and always ready with a story. His passion for horse racing was woven through every chapter of his life. Whether he was at the track, in the barn, or sharing a moment with fellow horse people, Mike found joy and...

I met Stuart in 1994 when we worked together for Ben P. Walden Jr. at Vinery. Stuart was the broodmare manager, and I was selling seasons to the Vinery stallions. Stuart managed the 150-plus broodmare band which  encompassed multiple farms. Stuart was also a farrier; he trimmed all the broodmares which added another layer of responsibility. I quickly learned that Stuart was a tireless hard worker with these responsibilities. Over the years I followed Stuart's professional journey to Watercress, Payson Stud and Taylor Made admiring his accomplishments along the way....

by Diana Li McPherson I have read with great interest the different Letters to the Editor people have sent in celebrating the life and love of Stuart Angus. Since my husband Steve McPherson and I loved and admired Stu, I felt compelled to share some thoughts on Stuart's extraordinary life. My husband met Stu several years ago at Saratoga while "Stuey" worked for Taylor Made at the Fasig-Tipton Sale. It was clear from the first time they met that their shared traits in humanity would create the foundation for a...

A good many years ago now, aged about 20, I was lucky enough to live with the late John Hills in Davy Cormack's Ardagh House Hotel in Killenaule during his time in Edward O'Grady's. I can vividly remember the visits of his father Barry which invariably involved dinner in Bryan Murphy's in Adare with a host of other larger than life characters like Pat Hogan, Greville Starkey, Brian Taylor and Frank Barry. It was a privilege for me as a young man to spend time in Barry's company, always great...

Hey Boss. I think you saw, but I saddled my 10th winner earlier this week. I know you told me you'd be long dead before I won the Kentucky Derby, but you did get to see me win at Churchill Downs. Every time I saddle a horse, I think about the first time I saddled for you. It was Cold as Hell at Oaklawn Park. I forgot the pommel pad, and you told me to get out of the way, that you'd finish saddling him yourself. I didn't talk back...

Kenny LeJeune, a highly respected horseman who operated a training center in Ocala for many years, succumbed to cancer last week at age 60. Donations in his honor can be made to the PDJF or any horse aftercare organization. His wife Carey LeJeune wrote the following tribute. The racing world just lost a fan. Ken LeJeune died at home Friday, Dec. 4 after a brief illness. In his 40-plus year career, he was a jockey, trainer, bloodstock agent and all things in between; but always A FAN. He quietly went...

Editor's note, the following is a letter sent from Cancer Trials Ireland to the family of Pat Smullen, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on Tuesday evening. To the family of Pat Smullen It is with a very heavy heart that, on behalf of the staff and members of Cancer Trials Ireland, we put pen to paper in remembrance of our friend, and benefactor, Pat Smullen. Pat was a friend like no other. Almost a year ago to the day, Pat and his supporters raised a game-changing €2.6m for pancreatic...