BILL Hennessy, owner of 2007 Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity and high-class chaser Rubi Light, died last Saturday after a short illness.

From Artane in Dublin, he founded the hearing aid company Bonavox in 1967 and sold it to one of the that sector’s leading companies in 2009.

He owned racehorses for over 30 years and his racing colours were inspired by a visit to Old Trafford in the 1960s by West Ham United, who wore sky blue and maroon stripes.

In 2004, Hennessy’s son Robert bought the listed winner Sublimity out of Sir Michael Stoute’s yard for just 32,000gns.

The horse was very nearly returned due to a suspected wind problem.

Trained by John Carr in Maynooth, Sublimity won the Listed Alleged Stakes at the Curragh on his first Irish start. Sent hurdling later that year, he won impressively at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and finished fourth in the 2006 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

CHAMPION HURDLE

After making only one appearance before the 2007 Champion Hurdle – a 20-length win in a minor race at Navan – Sublimity was largely ignored by punters and the media in the run-up to the big race.

Philip Carberry’s mount was sent off at 16/1 but ran out a smooth three-length winner from Brave Inca.

Robert Hennessy later took out a training licence and saddled Sublimity to win the Grade 1 December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

He also trained his father’s Rubi Light to win eight races.