JACQUELINE O’Brien, wife of legendary trainer the late Dr Vincent O’Brien, died peacefully in a Dublin hospital on Tuesday morning in her 90th year, surrounded by all her family.

Born in Perth, the daughter of a distinguished Australian politician, Jacqueline O’Brien (nee Wittenoom) played a key role in her husband’s record-breaking career. She graduated from the University of Western Australia before marrying Vincent in 1951 with whom she had five children. Despite no previous knowledge of racing, Jacqueline quickly became fully immersed in the business and was a tremendous support to Vincent throughout his training career.

She was particularly good at entertaining owners, allowing her husband to concentrate fully on his horses. It was fitting that Vincent’s final Group 1 winner Fatherland - winner of the 1992 National Stakes - ran in Jacqueline’s colours. Remarkably it was Vincent’s 15th winner of the race which was subsequently named in his honour.

In addition to raising her family and her pivotal role in the business, Jacqueline was herself a distinguished author and photographer.

She wrote eight books – including a number of best sellers – on Irish heritage, her Australian background and of course on her celebrated husband.

She also lectured internationally on historical subjects and held photographic exhibitions in America and Europe.

Her husband, who passed away in 2009, aged 92, was a colossus of the training scene, creating the Ballydoyle dynasty and dominating National Hunt racing before turning his attentions to the Flat.

Denis Egan, chief executive of the Irish Turf Club, said: “It’s very sad news. She was a lovely lady who lived life right up to the end.”

Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: “It’s very poignant on the opening day of Cheltenham, a place that Jacqueline and Vincent were so closely associated with for many years.

“She was a wonderful lady, an institution in Irish racing for decades. Deepest sympathies to the family, she was an absolute joy to have anything to do with, a wonderful fundraiser behind the scenes for worthy causes and very passionate about the family, her husband and all the successes they’ve had.

“It’s a really sad day. She was much more than just the wife of Vincent O’Brien, in her own right she was a fantastic lady - a very talented photographer, very talented fundraiser, philanthropist and a key member of the Ballydoyle team through the golden years.

“It’s a sad way to start the meeting, but perhaps some poignancy about it.”

The O’Briens had two sons, David, trainer of Derby winner Secreto, and Charles, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Susan and Jane. Susan married John Magnier, the current supremo of the Coolmore stud operation. The Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle was staged at Cheltenham on Friday.

A statement issued by Jacqueline O’Brien’s family this week ended: “A devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be sadly missed.”