Jodami trainer Peter Beaumont passes away

PETER Beaumont, trainer of 1993’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Jodami, died peacefullly this week, aged 85.

The North Yorkshire-based trainer was also responsible for the exploits of Young Kenny, Hussard Collonges, J-J Henry and Bobby Grant.

He is survived by his daughter Anthea Morshead, who rode J-J Henry to victory for her father in the Topham Chase in 1991. She said of her father: “He truly loved horses and he was a great horseman and stock-man. He had great patience with his horses and was especially good with those staying chasers.

“The big thing about him was that he had so many friends. He gathered friends wherever he was because he was a truly kind, decent man. He always had time for everybody.”

Jodami was Beaumont’s undoubted star. Besides his Gold Cup win, he recorded a hat-trick of victories in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup from 1993 to 1995 and won two Peter Marsh Chases at Haydock in 1993 and 1997.

Cantillon fails to get Seanad seat

THERE was disappointment for Dermot Cantillon this week as he failed to win a seat in the Seanad.

The well-known breeder and chairman of Naas Racecourse was eliminated on count 10 of the Agricultural Panel, having secured 37 first preferences votes.

The majority of the votes cast are controlled by the main politcal parties and reserved for sitting senators or general election candidates who failed to win a Dáil seat.

Cantillon, featured in the Big Interview in The Irish Field in February, had vowed to work on behalf of rural Ireland and the financing of the racing industry through betting tax, if he was elected.

Red Mills buysBritish equine product company

CONNOLLY’S Red Mills has bought the world’s oldest equine product manufacturer Carr, Day & Martin, which is based in Lytham, Lancashire.

The company, which was founded by George Carr in London in 1765, specialises in equine care products.

Gareth Connolly, sales and marketing director at Red Mills, said: “As a recognised global leader in equine care with high quality products, Carr, Day & Martin is an excellent fit and we look forward to building on the long-standing relationships the company has with its staff, customers and suppliers in the years to come.”

Death of popular Johnny Fagan

THE death took place this week of Johnny Fagan from Blackwater, Enfield, Co Meath, who was a regular attendee at National Hunt foal sales. Having spent many years buying cattle, he was not known for his extravagant bidding, earning him the nickname ‘Johnny 600’, such was his dedication to the minimum bid. Among those that he purchased at this price was a half-sister to Weapon’s Amnesty, just weeks before the first racecourse victory of the subsequent Albert Bartlett and RSA winner. He was buried this week in Jordanstown cemetery.