BREAKING: Tipperary-based horse racing trainer Edward O'Grady has passed away

Horse Racing Ireland has announced "with profound sadness the death of Edward O’Grady, who passed away peacefully yesterday evening at St James’ Hospital, Dublin, surrounded by his family".

In a statement issued on behalf of his family, Horse Racing Ireland says "Edward was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also one of the most respected and successful racehorse trainers of his generation.

"Over the course of an extraordinary career that spanned more than five decades, Edward trained just shy of 1,700 winners under rules. His name became synonymous with Irish National Hunt racing, and he was a formidable force at Cheltenham and across the racing world.

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"Beyond the winners and the headlines, Edward was a man of deep intelligence, sharp wit and remarkable warmth. He had friends on every continent, a story for every occasion and a lifelong passion for the sport, the hunting field and everything equestrian.

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"Funeral details will be announced in due course via www.rip.ie".

Based in Ballynonty in Tipperary, Edward O'Grady was champion jumps trainer in Ireland for four consecutive seasons between 1977 and 1980. He staged a revival in the mid 1990s with horses including Sound Man and Ventana Canyon.