Death Of Respected Breeder And ‘Proper Horsewoman’ Ciara Eglington At 59

[Wandering Eyes]

Tony O'Callaghan, David Redvers and Joe Foley have led the tributes to Collegelands Stud's Ciara Eglington, who died following a short illness on Tuesday. She was 59. 

Along with her husband Austin Lyons, Eglington churned out a hatful of smart horses from her County Meath base, headed by American Grade I winner Watsdachances. The Group 1-placed Aloha Star was another smart performer that flew that flag for Eglington's operation.

O'Callaghan said, “A very good consignor, she was also a very good person and was extremely popular around the sales. We would have been big fans of her and it's very sad news. Ciara was very well regarded and we did a lot of business with her down through the years. She always had her horses turned out well and they looked great. We have known her for a long time and she got a big plus from us. I saw her two months ago and she looked great so it's very sad.”

Redvers echoed O'Callaghan's sentiments and revealed how he always looked forward to seeing Eglington's Collegelands Stud draft at Barn A during the foal sales at Goffs. A deep appreciation for the job that she did in turning out her foals led to Redvers supporting her with mares, from which the pair's relationship flourished. 

“It's absolutely shocking news,” Redvers said. “I actually bought a foal from her in November – have bought quite a few from her down through the years – and she always produced them exceptionally well. She was such a good breeder and presented her stock so well, we actually sent her some mares as a result. She was just a very unassuming person who went about her business quietly but did it supremely well. I feel that she will be very much missed, not least by everyone who frequented Goffs, because she was always one of the first people that you would see in Barn A there. She was a proper horsewoman.”

Meanwhile, Foley simply described Eglington as one of his favourite people on the sales circuit and offered up a genuinely emotional tribute to the late breeder and consignor. 

He said, “She was one of my favourite people in the whole game. A lovely person. Ciara had a great interest in sport, culture and was a great skier – she went skiing every year. Just a lovely person who did her job very well. One of the nicest people you would meet on the bloodstock circuit.”

Funeral details are as follows: reposing at William Ryan & Sons Funeral Home, Church St., Kilcock (W23 XC90 – entrance at Books & Gifts) on Friday from 4pm to 7pm. A celebration of Ciara's life will take place on Saturday at 12:30pm in the Temple at Newlands Cross Crematorium followed by cremation.

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