Death of Brittas House owner and successful breeder Peter Magnier

Peter Magnier, a member of one of the world's most prominent racing families and a successful breeder under both codes in his own right, died on Monday. He was 69.

Magnier was the son of Tom, owner of the leading National Hunt stallion operation Grange Stud, and Evie Stockwell, making him a brother to John, figurehead of the Coolmore breeding powerhouse, David, manager of Castlehyde and Grange studs, and Anne O'Callaghan, owner of Tally-Ho Stud with husband Tony.

Magnier ran Brittas House Stud in County Tipperary and enjoyed most success in recent years through his Irish River mare Brigid, from whom he bred Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Sequoyah, later dam of dual Classic hero Henrythenavigator, and Fillies' Mile winner Listen, as well as two Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling sale-toppers in Liffey Dancer (2,500,000gns in 2007) and Nazym (1,700,000gns in 2011).

Brigid is also ancestress of Group/Grade 1 performers Cliffs Of Moher, Coeur De Beaute and Magician, as well as We Are Ninety, bred by Minch Bloodstock and Brittas House Stud and winner of a Newbury Listed race for Evie Stockwell and her twin sister Lady Mimi Manton.

Beeches Stud manager Robert McCarthy paid heartfelt tribute to Magnier, saying: "Peter was a great family friend and I'd known him all my life. He lived close by in Monatrim in Lismore, County Waterford, and was always good to his mother Evie, who lived alongside him.

"He was born and raised in Fermoy in County Cork, and I moved into his place in Monatrim when he later moved to Brittas House Stud. He managed Deep Run [the 14-time champion jumps sire] along with Albert Sherwood at Sandville Stud in Glanworth, County Cork.

"He was a great man to ride to hounds and hunted with the Avondhu and later the West Waterford hunt. He also rode in point-to-points and I rode a pointer for him.

"He was great company, a great character and a people person with a great sense of fun.”

Magnier had been enjoying a good spell with jumpers he had bred in recent weeks, with Lake View Lad, a son of Oscar, having taken the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase and Downtown Getaway scoring in an Ascot novices' hurdle to make it two wins from three starts.

Magnier also landed a fair touch in the sales ring with Downtown Getaway, as he had owned the son of Getaway with Mags Mullins when he won a Fairyhouse bumper, and subsequently sold him to race for Nicky Henderson for £350,000 at a Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Sale.

Magnier is survived by his mother and siblings, partner Annabel, family Trini, Scobie, Tash, Ed and Coco and grandchildren.

He will repose at his residence on Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm and be buried at Kilcrumper New Cemetery in Fermoy on Thursday after requiem mass in the Church of the Assumption at Knockavilla at 11.30am.

Family have requested no flowers but donations, if desired, should be made to Solas Cancer Support Centre.