IAN Mackenzie-Smith was laid to rest after a funeral mass on September 7th at a packed Gormanstown Church outside Kilcullen, testimony to his widespread popularity.

Ian was born in South Africa in 1944 and rode his first winner in Rhodesia at the age of 14, going on to become champion apprentice there. Due to rising weight, and with the help of Johnny Roe, he came to Ireland in 1967, joining Dan Moore.

Before weight ended his riding career, he rode winners over jumps for both Dan and Arthur Moore. He then started flying horses for the Curragh Bloodstock Agency and subsequently the BBA, a job that spanned over 50 years, taking horses to all corners of the globe. In tandem with the flying, Ian successfully ran a tack shop in Eyre Street, Newbridge.

Ian is survived by his wife Evelyn, children Matthew, Clare, Stuart and Elaine, 10 grandchildren and extended family.