A SENSE of disbelief reigned this week when news circulated that Hugh Mulryan had died unexpectedly in England. He was just 25.

From Oranmore in Co Galway and son of well-known owner-breeder Liam Mulryan, Hugh was well-known and very well-liked in racing and bloodstock circles.

He was working for trainer Adrian Keatley and just last week he bought one of the top lots at the Goffs Arkle Sale Part 2 and had spoken to the media about his plans for the future.

Previously he had worked with trainer Denis Hogan and Baroda Stud. In a social media post, Baroda Stud said: “Such a great chap, very smart, studied Law, loved horses and had a great interest in all aspects of the industry.”

Denis Hogan said: “Hugh was a lovely fellow. He came to my yard first aged 15 and got on well with everyone. He was very intelligent. He could have done anything but horses were what he loved. He’s been taken far too young, we’re all devastated that he’s gone from us.”

Bloodstock journalist Brian Sheerin added: “I only knew Hugh for three or four years but we traded lots of horses together with Adam Potts and Danny Donovan. The last horse I sold with him, Duskaura, won at Ripon during the week.

“Hugh was very sharp and I have no doubt he would have been a huge success in bloodstock, that was his love.”