CYRIL ‘Buster’ Harty passed away in Naas Hospital on Wednesday, aged 90.

The eldest son of Captain Cyril B. Harty’s second marriage to New Yorker Win Smith, Buster was bred to ride racehorses and did so with considerable success both here and in England when stable amateur and assistant trainer to Fred Rimell.

His proudest memory was of beating Lester Piggott in a photo finish over hurdles.

Buster subsequently supervised Sir John Galvin’s equestrian interests in California, training the US Olympic Three-day Event team for Rome in 1960, in which Eddie, his younger brother, represented Ireland.

Called home to take over the family stable in Chapelizod from his ailing father, Buster oversaw the transfer of the family home and business to Springfield, Clondalkin while reviving a dormant racing stable to immediate effect.

Eddie had turned professional and was making his name in England, while John, the third son of that marriage, was deliberating between a career in law and riding as a professional jockey. Buster provided John with sufficient winners to determine his decision.

While multiple winner Fort Ord was Buster’s personal favourite, his most notable successes were achieved with reformed rogue Gypsando. Having ridden him to win over hurdles, Buster managed to get Gypsando to win what was then Ireland’s Champion Hurdle, Munster National, Guinness Chase and Leopardstown Chase, partnered in the latter two triumphs by John.

Marriage to Margaret Kennedy in 1973 prefaced Buster’s relocation to the periphery of the Curragh, where they mixed racing, sport horses and farming, while rearing their offspring, Simon, Sabrina and Stephen.

Buster is survived by his immediate family, six grandchildren, brother Eddie and sisters Paula, Una, Eleanor and Anne.

May this great raconteur rest in peace.