“RUSSELL Ferris will take to the stage next on behalf of Weatherbys Ireland to present this special award. It goes to one of the many great, unsung heroes of our industry.”

With those words I introduced the video presentation for the National Hunt achievement award at the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s annual prizegiving in 2018.

The recipient was Ronnie O’Neill of Whytemount Stud, and afterwards I said: “What wonderful footage and a story that is inspiring. I am sure you were all moved, as I was, to hear so many great tributes paid to Ronnie, but Linda’s words were extra special, and thanks for the family’s help in putting that together.”

In spite of having developed his home place into a hugely successful stallion farm, Ronnie O’Neill never forgot his roots, the small breeder, or his manners. Whenever I penned anything that resembled a tribute to one of his stallions, following success for one of their progeny, I could be sure of an email to say thanks.

Quietly spoken, Ronnie didn’t have to shout from the rooftops; his stallions and the many good horses he bred did the talking for him.

This summer, Ronnie and Linda were invited to attend the Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Breeder of the Year dinner, where they were recipients of yet another award.

My introduction on the night was as follows: “November 2023 saw a winner of these awards bred by a man who stands the sire. Whytemount Stud’s Valirann sired Knappers Hill, the son of a very smart King’s Theatre mare in Brogella, and he was sold as a foal for €20,000. The good-looker transformed into a €155,000 three-year-old and justified the investment by landing Grade 2 victories in a bumper, over hurdles and fences. His breeder Ronnie O’Neill can’t join us tonight, so please welcome his wife, Linda.”

Linda attended instead with their son John, and little did we know then that Ronnie was fighting for his life. It was not his first such award, and he was always pleased to be recognised for the achievements of his stallions and the good winners he bred. His death notice had a photograph included, and it was one of a smiling Ronnie at one of those award ceremonies, and it is on this page again.

Popular

The many tributes on social media show how popular Ronnie was with everyone, from small breeders who were grateful for the kindness shown to them by all the team at Whytemount Stud, to other stallion owners, flat and National Hunt, who were in awe of what he had achieved.

Ronnie and his family did not have wealthy backers, rather they invested their own hard-earned money, often in sires that no others would stand, and reaped the rewards when they came.

Success came about through hard work, being client focused, and the most often used phrase describing Ronnie in all of the tributes paid was that he was a gentleman. That he was indeed.

Though only 74 years of age, Ronnie’s life with horses spanned many generations, starting out as an aspiring jockey with Phonsie O’Brien and Paddy Mullins. He moved from being in the saddle to putting the same equipment on horses that he trained, most often horses that he bred, and sometimes ridden too by a family member. He was always keen to emphasise that all of his success was down to a team effort, though he should have substituted the word family for team.

Stowaway

Stallion success came slowly at first, and with horses that smarter farms would have eschewed.

An unraced half-brother to Shahrastani, Shahanndeh was the first thoroughbred sire at Whytemount, and following his early demise, the well-performed but largely forgotten Stowaway, a son of Slip Anchor, was bought. Slow to win over breeders, Stowaway was used extensively, and with great success, by Ronnie, and he made it all the way to become the busiest sire in Europe one year, and be crowned champion sire.

The current stallion roster at Whytemount has expanded, and it will be no surprise if it contains another champion. What a fitting tribute that would be to Ronnie. That roster includes the very popular Affinisea, and the highly-rated Mojo Star.

A horseman to his fingertips, Ronnie’s eye for quality was second to none. His passing will be most acutely felt by his family, but many will miss his warm welcome and smile. May he rest in peace.

Ronnie died peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny on Friday, October 18th. He is survived by his wife Linda, children Charmaine, Debbie, Rachel, Lorraine, Paul and John, sisters Olga and Yvonne, and by a large extended family and a wide circle of friends. His funeral mass was held at St. Mary’s Church, Kells, Co Kilkenny on Monday, October 21st, followed by burial in the adjacent cemetery.