TRAINER John Kenny died suddenly last Monday. The 36-year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack.

Based in Tullow, Co Carlow, Kenny is best known as the trainer of last year’s La Touche Cup winner Jack’s Island and Grade 3 winner Miley Shah.

Originally from Newcastle, Co Dublin, Kenny began training point-to-pointers in 2008 and took out his full licence the following year. He enjoyed a high strike-rate of winners and placed horses from limited runners.

He is survived by his partner Siobhan and their son Shane.

Ger Fox, who rode Jack’s Island to win at the Punchestown Festival, said: “John was a very shrewd trainer and very good to read a race. With Jack’s Island, he told me exactly how the trial race at Wexford would pan out and how I should ride the horse at Punchestown. He was spot-on both times. We took the horse to Lion D’Angers for another cross-country race and I never had to put my hand in my pocket for the week. He was an absolute gentleman and it is shocking that he has been taken at such a young age.”