JACK Lambert, the great horseman, has sadly passed away. During his 92 years, his son Tony said he lived not just nine lives, but 199 lives. He was a family man, who was proud of all his children and provided them with the best ponies and horses. He touched the hearts of so many on both sides of the Atlantic with his friendship, storytelling, wit, practical joking, his natural eye for a quality horse, and his horsemanship.

Jack was born with a rare caul, also known as a veil covering his head, which has a spiritual meaning as a sign of protection and special purpose. Together with his late wife Ann, whose uncle Barty Hickey won the Croker Cup twice at the Dublin Horse Show, they reared a large family on their farm in Grange, Killinick, Co Wexford, and the children learned from the master in the art of horsemanship going on to excel in many equestrian disciplines, and also at international level. Playing hurling for Saint Fintan’s, Jack was a tough competitor - he still holds the record of scoring five goals and six points in a single match - and was on the winning 1988 Killinick Hunt Chase Team that won at the Dublin Horse Show, along with John Stafford, Joe Moran and his daughter Ann.