PETER Casey had his own way of doing things and this extended to his funeral on Wednesday when his wicker coffin was brought to the Church of The Assumption, Balscadden, North Co Dublin, and from there to the Old School Cemetery, on a trailer drawn by his beloved David Brown tractor.

While there was a large crowd from the racing world present on Wednesday to remember ‘Boss’, who died in the early hours of last Saturday, horses were down the pecking order as parish priest Fr Eugene Taaffe referred to Peter’s love of his family and the local community, his passion for the Dubs and his wonderful use of English.

“He was a rough diamond but had a heart of gold,” stated Fr Taaffe.

The pair first got to really know one another when Casey said he would organise a tractor run to raise money for the church building fund and he immediately set about doing so. The run has continued and grown in popularity and members of that group showed their regard for the late farmer-trainer by directing people to park at both Tuesday’s wake and the following afternoon’s funeral.

Indeed, the entire community of Balscadden seemed to play their part in directing traffic, ferrying mourners, producing massive amounts of food and making thousands of cups of tea and coffee.

“I stopped when I counted a thousand cars!” one of the men said to Boss’s eldest son Francis on Tuesday, with the latter commenting: “We should have held the wake over two days. People came from all over Ireland and I don’t think I got to see half of them.”

Among those who called to the house were trainers Aidan O’Brien, Ger Lyons, John Carr and Ted Walsh, while Des Scahill, Brendan Sheridan, Michael O’Donoghue and Pat Healy were also present on Tuesday, the last three being regular visitors to ‘The Palace’ when heading to meetings in the North.

Like his late father Denis before him, Edmond Mahony was another who often called in to see Peter and his wife Junie, mainly as a friend and sometime owner, sometimes wearing his Tattersalls hat and, on other occasions, as Master of the Louth Foxhounds looking for the Boss’s help in sorting land.

Peter was very keen on hunting in his younger days, particularly with the Ward Union. Fiona Wentges told me that he was of great assistance to her late father, Captain John Wentges, when he founded the Little Grange Harriers.

Tattersalls was well represented at the funeral on Wednesday while among the attendance were trainers Paddy Griffin, Jim Dreaper, Eddie Lynam, John Oxx, Garvan Donnelly, Harry Rogers and former handler Paddy Woods who trained for Casey before he took out a licence himself.

Also in the congregation were locally-born trainers Stephen Mahon and Damien English, both of whom worked for a time at the Casey yard, as well as members of the media, veterinary surgeons, farriers, shed erectors and, of course, large numbers of locals.

Again, the Turf Club had a presence, including Carol Murphy, and, given the number of youngstock on the farm by Court Cave and Kalanisi, it was little surprise to see William Flood there along with his wife Barbara.

Peter’s coffin was accompanied into the church by the Sam Maguire cup and it was one of Boss’s former GAA teammates who was asked to give the eulogy.

Andrew Cluskey recalled a very different Ireland when speaking of short trousers, going to matches in smoke-filled Bedford vans and the defunct Tobersool Club. Cluskey was keen to thank John Costello, chief executive officer of the Dublin County Board, for lending ‘Sam’ for the funeral.

From the front pew, Peter’s wife Junie acknowledged the singing of the local parish choir and its lead singer Elizabeth O’Hagan, after which Alison Casey spoke movingly on behalf of the family and regaled us with tales of Peter the family man and father.

Among those who at one time or another had horses in the yard and were at the funeral were some members of the Co Fermanagh-based Ballinamallard Syndicate, Paul McNamee, good friend Thomas Moore and his wife Nelly, and, of course, the McLoones.

Paying training fees for the horses was a great experience and we probably should have offered extra for the entertainment! I have to say here that our horses, while not great, were always produced fit and in excellent condition and, while I doubt he picked up a brush himself, they were always beautifully turned-out at the races.

I would like to extend sympathy to Peter’s wife Junie, sons Francis, Peter and Olivier and daughter Alison, their wives, partners and children all of whom we have come to know while visiting The Palace.

MMcL