DAWN Meats co-founder and a very successful racehorse owner with his wife, Peter Queally has died at the age of 83.

Along with his brother John and business partner Dan Browne, he set up Dawn Meats in 1980 and played a leading role in developing the business into a major employer and one of the largest beef and lamb companies in Europe. He was a member of the board of Dawn Meats for over four decades.

Together with his brothers, he also founded Arrow Group, one of the biggest meat processors in Ireland.

In response to the news regarding the passing of the Waterford businessman, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “Peter Queally was an innovative leader within the Irish food sector. Alongside his brother John and Dan Browne, he built Dawn Meats into one of the most successful meat processing companies in Europe, employing over 8,000 staff in 12 countries. Peter exhibited an exceptional dedication to ethical and environmentally conscious beef production through his leadership.

“He consistently championed Irish business and his absence will be deeply felt, not only within the food sector but also the wider business community.”

A keen man to hunt in his younger days, Peter later transferred his love of horses to ownership, racing in the name of his wife Eileen.

They enjoyed many great successes, several with Jessica Harrington, and some of the best horses to carry their silks were Galway Hurdle winner Oh So Grumpy, Ladbroke Hurdle winner Dance Beat, and the Cheltenham Festival winner Space Trucker, while a more recent big race success was gained when Anothercoppercoast captured the Leopardstown Chase.

For many years, Peter Queally chaired the board of Tramore Racecourse, and he was instrumental in keeping the track going during challenging times.

His son Liam, who owns Bluebell Farm near Naas, spoke at his father’s funeral. Peter Queally, is survived by his wife Eileen and children Liam, Marie-Louise, Ivor, Aisling, Barbara, Irene, Cathal and Rebecca, and his 24 grandchildren.

Following Requiem Mass on Tuesday in the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Kill, Co Waterford, Peter Queally was buried in Ballylaneen Cemetery.