Breeder Brian Kennedy passes away

THE funeral took place in Loughinisland on Wednesday of well-known Co Down breeder Brian Kennedy who, at the age of 77, died two days earlier at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast following a short illness.

Brian left school at the age of 14 and started working with his mother and late brother Francie on the family’s dairy farm on the outskirts of Downpatrick. As a sideline, he dealt in cattle and sheep.

A few years on, Brian bought a baler and began doing contract work for other farmers. He was then able to purchase more land which allowed for further investment in the dairy farm. When there was a decrease in the milk quotas, Brian decided to breed and train horses along with milking cows, with the dairy farm transforming into Meadowlands Stud.

Star Of Venosos

Among the winners trained by Brian was Star Of Venosos, who won both the Carroll Hurdle at Dundalk and the Ulster Cesarewitch at Downpatrick, and it was also at the local track that Kennedy’s charge Sister Duke won a bumper by 15 lengths.

A huge amount of success followed with Brian being acknowledged on numerous occasions as one of the top breeders in the north of Ireland, among his many notable winners being Fujiyama Crest, Torgau and Gabrial.

Working with other members of his family, Brian saw Meadowlands Stud gain a deserved reputation not just as breeders of high-class racehorses but as consignors also of well-produced stock at sales throughout Ireland and Britain. His best result in the sales ring came when Sun Bloodstock went to 210,000 guineas for a Kodiac colt out of Gold Again at the December Foal Sale at Newmarket in 2017.

Humour

Brian’s wry sense of humour and jovial nature ensured that he could form lasting relationships with young and old. The many online tributes to him this week attested to the fact that he was a gentleman, a great character and someone people enjoyed talking to at sales or on visits to Meadowlands.

Brian Kennedy is survived by his wife, Annemarie, brothers Patrick and Joseph and their families to whom The Irish Field extends its sympathies.