FIFTY eight seems like a poor result in the Life-Length Stakes, but Roddy Crehan, who died on April 19th, used his years well.

The huge turnout in Lattin, Co. Tipperary, last week was tribute to the popularity of a great vet.

Roddy’s dad, Paddy, was an ever-present part of David Power’s bookmaking team and so Roddy’s love of racing was unavoidable.

His exploits as a racehorse owner included relieving the betting ring of funds when Breakaway Bridge, Storm Damage or Limit The Damage landed touches.

Roddy’s veterinary work ranged right across the south from Limerick to Wexford and back to Cork and Tipperary. As a long-suffering Waterford hurling supporter, he seemed to spend his career in hurling country.

Many years at Grange Stud brought Roddy into contact with a wide range of NH breeders and so many of them remarked how they enjoyed his company as much as his craft. The work was good but the conversations even better.

Roddy loved hurling, golf (represented Tipperary GC with cunning), the Irish language, music, poetry, but especially people. He could recite Heaney from memory. Useless to think you’ll park and capture it more thoroughly.

Roddy captured life thoroughly alright, and his passing leaves a huge void in the lives of his devoted friends but especially for his mother Antoinette, his sons Patrick, Josh and Simon and his beloved wife Kate.

J.O.