THE well-known horseman and master of the Fingal Harriers, amateur jockey, sport horse and thoroughbred breeder, farmer and racehorse owner, Joe Duff, sadly passed away on March 14th.

Joe grew up on the family farm along the Broadmeadow River in Swords, where he developed his passion for horses. Joe has been described as a gentleman, a man of principle, a spiritual man known for his kindness, courtesy and strength of character and also a teetotaller and non-smoker.

He met Alicia Hoey, whose family farmed at the Man O War, and they fell in love and married. They were the perfect match as Alicia, who sadly predeceased him, was also an exceptionally kind person and welcomed people into their home. Although they were not blessed with their own children, they shared their love particularly to their nieces and nephews and the many children that hunted with the Fingal Harriers.

Alicia always had a biscuit tin in the press full of chocolate bars, which was always a treat for young and not so young. Later in life, Joe was fortunate to meet Maria Byrne, who was so good to him and became his constant companion and looked after him when his health declined, which allowed him to maintain his independence and still enjoy his racing. He was an avid reader of The Irish Field, reading it from cover to cover each week.

With the commercial and residential development of Swords, Joe and his brother Matt sold the farm and bought horse trainer Michael Kauntze’s farm in Greenogue, where they continued to farm while his nephews Paul and Brian, the latter a former international show jumping rider on his horse Concord 41, continued to develop what is now Broadmeadows Equestrian Centre and Broadmeadow Country Guest House, where Olympian Cian O’Connor based himself for a time.

Joe Duff winning a point-to-point on Kilgarvan

Hunting

Joe was master of the Fingal Harriers from 1974 to 1991 and in that time the hunt thrived, running an annual point-to-point, a two-day horse show, a hunter trials and paraded hounds at the Dublin Horse Show. The combination of Joe and his fellow joint master, the late Larry ‘Gusty’ McGuinness, who broke Greasepaint - twice runner-up in the Aintree Grand National and schooled Spittin Image before the famous race - were challenging men to follow across country, as both had come from the point-to-point world.

The feats of their horses – Joe’s hunter Kilgarvan and Larry riding Motor Car - have gone into the annals of hunting folklore. I recall them designing hunter trial courses at Ardgillan Castle, Walshestown and Hollywood Rath. There was once a challenge to their design of a drop fence at Walshestown, when it was maintained that it was not jumpable. Joe and Larry asked to borrow a couple of horses and gave a great display jumping it not once, but numerous times, which silenced the objectors!

Joe and Larry brought fun to hunting, a high standard of horsemanship and, as farmers themselves, they were hugely respectful of the land they crossed. Their word was their bond and I recall one time Joe sending hounds home, as they had drawn a covert that he promised a neighbouring master that he would not draw. He then turned and explained to the followers why they would be finishing early.

If the hunt country was tight, they would occasionally lay a drag line to get around recently hunted country by a neighbouring pack. On another occasion a member had purchased an experienced event horse and I suggested that he help Joe lay the line.

The follower arrived back ashen-faced with fright, recalling what he had just experienced following Joe, never to be repeated again. He quickly learned the vast difference between leading and making country from the front and just following!

Fencing the country with Joe after a meet was an experience, as he never came into the pub until all the fencing was done, often in total darkness. Where there were maybe two strands of wire to be replaced, Joe would put three strands to make it totally stockproof. He would practically refence parts of farms, if he thought that it had not been done properly.

Former Fingal Harriers huntsman Terry White, who I had the pleasure of whipping-in to for 10 seasons, was generous in his praise for Joe, recalling what a pleasure it was to hunt with him, describing him as the complete horseman who could cross any country without hesitation, in complete harmony with his hunter.

He said Joe had a warm charm and respect for the privilege of being allowed to hunt across the land. He would stop and chat with people along the road and go back and visit every farmer to make sure that they had no issues with fencing and that their livestock were safe.

One day, Joe and Larry arrived at a Fingal meet in Ballymadun. They asked the publican, Jimmy Sutton, why the pub was not open, as the Fingal Harriers were meeting. Jimmy said nobody told him and threw the keys of the pub to them and said he was going for lunch. The lads opened the pub, and Larry gave a quick lesson in making hot whiskeys to teetotaller Joe, while Larry pulled the pints!

Horse shows

Joe’s nephew Brian Duff, owner of Broadmeadows Equestrian Centre, inherited his interest in horses from Joe, who he described as the perfect gentleman, with respect for horses and their welfare. He said Joe left a great legacy, as he had that sense of community spirit and was the true volunteer, organising horse shows, building courses that were mainly fundraisers for local charities.

At the two-day annual hunt show in Larry McGuinness’ farm, Joe would meticulously design and build the courses. The show had a hospitality caravan for entertaining the sponsors and, as Joe was a teetotaller, he would leave it to Larry to see every sponsor and farmer were entertained.

Racing bug

Joe had horses in training with his friend Al O’Connell and Tony Martin, notably Rosemary’s Princess, Quickpick Vic and Easy Vic. He cleaned up over 10 years in the Adjacent Hunt and Hunter Chases, with Kilgarvan winning regularly even on rock hard ground, and City Lights a specialist in deep ground. Joe and Kilgarvan would lead the followers hunting every week and, at the weekend, often win at point-to-points.

Former trainer and amateur jockey, Ivon Keeling, described Joe Duff as the gentlest of men, extraordinarily kind and generous, but yet would ride out a finish as competitive as the best. He recalled Joe running Kilgarvan and City Lights at the Louth point-to-point in Baldoyle. To Ivon’s amazement, Joe asked him to ride Kilgarvan, who was favourite, while Joe rode City Lights. Joe insisted and Ivon won the race and he was second.

Ivon’s wife and accomplished jockey Noreen (Taaffe) also won on Kilgarvan, who ran twice in the La Touche in Punchestown. One rider Ivon recalled was The Irish Field correspondent Margie McLoone, who won a point-to-point for him on Crown Diamond.

Joe’s nephew Paul Duff said that Joe was a dedicated horseman, never demanding and loved people. Paul inherited the racing gene from Joe, as he rode City Lights and Kilgarvan at Fairyhouse when he was only 16 years of age.

Breeding

Joe maintained an out-farm at Balheary, where he kept his broodmares and youngstock. One of the success stories was when he bought a mare by Primal and put her in foal to Horace and subsequently to Cruising and Cavalier. She produced a succession of high level show jumping horses, that went through the hands of Cian O’Connor and Greg Broderick and jumped up to 1.60m level in Norway and the USA.

He also bred thoroughbreds and was particularly proud of Quickpick Vic, who won in Leopardstown and Naas and his full-brother Easy Vic, who won also at Leopardstown.

Joe Duff, the extraordinary horseman and gentlest of men, will be sadly missed by his family, friends from the farming, hunting and racing world and particularly by his best friend Maria. We are all extremely fortunate to have shared so many memorable moments with him.