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Tom Lacy, the renowned breeder of Persian Force who is famed for providing Pat Smullen with his start in racing during his time as a trainer, has died. He was 89. 

Lacy rode 50 winners as a jockey and found only Arkle and Flyingbolt too good aboard Height Of Fashion in two Irish Grand Nationals. 

As a trainer, he sent out hundreds of winners from his yard in Rhode, County Offaly, spearheaded by Ingabelle, who went on to become a hugely important foundation mare at Ballylinch Stud.

But it was his role as a breeder where Lacy received so many accolades in recent years. Along with his son Barry, he bred Group 1 performer Persian Force (Mehmas) from €1,200 mare Vida Amorosa (Lope De Vega). 

Lacy's other son Tony is a familiar face on the international bloodstock circuit and holds the role of Vice President of Sales at Keeneland.

Persian Force is not the only high-class runner that Lacy bred out of his bargain mare Vida Amorosa as Gubbass first put the pedigree in lights when landing the Super Sprint Stakes. 

It was off the back of Persian Force's achievements, which included victory in the July Stakes and multiple placed efforts at the highest level, that led to Lacy being crowned small breeder of the year at a memorable ITBA awards ceremony in February, 2023.

Fittingly, it was John O'Connor who presented Lacy with that award, and the Ballylinch Stud boss recalled the genuine outpouring of emotion for the Offaly native on the night. 

Paying tribute to Lacy, O'Connor said, “That was a very nice moment for us. I have known Tom since I worked in Baroda Stud back in the eighties. Tom brought one of his best racemares, Bodelle, to Bob Back and bred a very fast filly called Caurselle. He and I stayed in contact after that and, when his very good filly, Ingabelle, came up for sale, we went down to meet him at his home in Rhode and we came to an agreement. Ingabelle was sold in foal to Bluebird and the filly she was carrying turned out to be Wild Bluebell, who was a very good filly as well. Tom kept some of the family and I suppose you could say we helped each other.”

O'Connor added, “But he was just a very, very nice man to deal with and his family are all excellent horse people. The one thing about Tom's horses is that they always looked so well – be that when they went racing or at home on the farm. And the horses he trained, they were so versatile – they could win sprint races, hurdle races, you name it. He was an outstanding horseman. He was just a lovely man who knew his horses extremely well. It was just a coincidence that we were able to present him with his prize but it was very appropriate.”

Barry-and-Tom-Lacy-with-Vida-Amorosa-and

Barry and Tom Lacy | Emma Berry

Lacy sat down with TDN Europe shortly after the ITBA Awards where he spoke of his genuine appreciation for being acknowledged by his peers. He also shared tales of driving hard bargains with Tally-Ho Stud boss Tony O'Callaghan, who now stands Persian Force, along with his sire Mehmas. More importantly, O'Callaghan has been a long-standing friend of Lacy's, and he paid a heartfelt tribute on Monday morning. 

He said, “I have known Tom Lacy for more years than I care to remember, and every one of those years revealed him as a true lover of life. Others are better placed to speak about his deep and unwavering love for his family, but it was through the other great constant in his life – horses – that our paths crossed.

“Tom often regaled me with tales from his riding days with Height of Fashion, his training of Ingabelle, and most recently, his breeding of Persian Force. These three horses, each marking a different stage of his journey, reflected his lifelong passion for the game and this made him a joy to be around.”

O'Callaghan added, “He was a tough negotiator – another of his constants – especially when it came to selling a horse. But that toughness came from a genuine love and respect for the animals. It's that same enthusiasm, that deep-rooted love for the horse, which I will remember most vividly – and which will always bring a smile to my face whenever I think of him.”

 

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The post ‘Outstanding Horseman’ And Breeder Of Persian Force Tom Lacy Dies Aged 89 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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