Horsemen From Lexington To Waterford Mourning Roddy O’Byrne

[Wandering Eyes]

The Irish diaspora in the Bluegrass has lost one of its foundation stones with the death last Sunday of Roger (“Roddy”) O'Byrne, who presided for many years at McCarthy's Bar in downtown Lexington.

O'Byrne, together with co-proprietor Peter Kiely, made their bar an institution not just for local horsemen but for the international bloodstock community. During an era when phoney “themed” bars round the world sought to exploit the national tradition of good craic, O'Byrne created a little piece of home for those compatriots of his own generation who served as pathfinders for the many to have followed since. The racing memorabilia adorning the walls of McCarthy's are not generic cultural symbols but the personal record of a colorful life, full of laughter and achievement.

O'Byrne remained devoted to family and friends during his brave fight against the illness that has finally claimed him, back in his homeland. On both sides of the water, many will now be raising the kind of toast that he would have appreciated, and those in Lexington have the opportunity to do so after the livestreaming in McCarthy's of his funeral on Tuesday at 7 a.m. Refreshments will be provided after the Mass.

That is a challenging hour even for his diehard customers, some of whom may find it easier to persevere overnight than to start at dawn! But like any good officer, he would not expect anything of his men that he would not be prepared to do himself….

McCarthy's Bar has evolved over the years and its popularity with college students nowadays has made some of the old hands feel their age. But the bar remains a haven for horsemen of every flag during sales and race meetings, having long served as the hub of the Irish expatriate community in moments of crisis, commiseration or celebration. O'Byrne hosted many a fundraiser for those in need; and it was here that another lamented compatriot, Gerry Dilger, chose to watch a second consecutive Dromoland Farm graduate win the GI Kentucky Derby in 2018.

O'Byrne was among many in his family, from Kilmacthomas in Co. Waterford, to have made their mark on the Thoroughbred industry. One of his brothers, Demi, served Vincent O'Brien as veterinarian before becoming integral for many years to the Coolmore scouting team; and another, John, found triple Group 1 winner Rip Van Winkle (Ire) for the same interests at a yearling sale in Italy. And the Lodge Stud, run for the past 17 years by John's son Timmy, has been responsible for educating a long line of elite jumpers for J.P. McManus.

Unsurprising, then, that O'Byrne was himself no mean judge of a horse. He sold McManus one fondly remembered by many in Danny Connors (GB), bought for just 1,500 gns before winning a Leopardstown bumper under Mr. W.P. Mullins in 1989.    Switched to Jonjo O'Neill for his new owner, he was colly delivered by Mark Dwyer to win the 1991 Coral Golden Hurdle at Cheltenham. And only last April O'Byrne could celebrate the Grand National success of Nick Rockett (Ire), who had started out winning a Curraghmore point-to-point in his own silks.

Nick Rockett was named for the uncle of the Kilmacthomas publican and was a second Grand National winner to have been traded by O'Byrne, following Miinnehoma (GB), who won the 1994 running after being found for just 5,800gns as a 3-year-old.

Short odds, surely, that the parting glass for O'Byrne may produce a partnership to name a horse in his honor, too.

Besides Demi and John, O'Byrne is mourned by his other siblings Jim and Mary, and countless others related by blood or friendship.

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