Whitwell Bloodstock's Nicky Murray dies aged 48

Nicky Murray, a popular figure in the British breeding industry, died on Sunday after a battle with cancer. She was 48.

Murray and her husband Chris bred, raised and sold horses under the Whitwell Bloodstock banner over the past 15 years and enjoyed plenty of success doing so.

Among the best horses they bred themselves were Lewisham, runner-up to Alhebayeb in the July Stakes in 2012, and his half-brother Crack On Crack On, winner of the valuable Silver Bowl Handicap at Haydock last year and a close third in the Hong Kong Derby under his new name Sunny Speed in March.

Whitwell Bloodstock also enjoyed some significant results in the sales ring, notably by selling a Charm Spirit colt foal out of Postale to Epona Bloodstock for 140,000gns at Tattersalls in 2016. It also consigned the Listed-winning filly Accipiter to the breeding-stock section of the December sales that year, and sold the daughter of Showcasing to Tullpark for 100,000gns.

The Murrays also found themselves in the spotlight when Baitha Alga won the Woodcote Stakes and Norfolk Stakes in 2014 as they had the colt's year younger sister at home, having pinhooked her as a foal for just €32,000. They resold the filly to David Redvers for £82,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale.

Redvers was among those who paid tribute to Murray after news of her death broke on Monday, writing on Twitter: “Everyone at Tweenhills sends heartfelt condolences to Chris. Nicky was a wonderfully positive personality of the sales and breeding worlds and we shall all miss her enthusiasm and passion for the game.”

Murray started her career in racing working in the stables of Barry Hills and Reg Bennett, where she met Chris. The couple later moved to Newmarket and ran a satellite stable for Pat Haslam, with Murray – whose maiden name was Howarth – riding several winners for the Middleham-based trainer.

The Murrays later ventured into bloodstock, setting up Whitwell Bloodstock at Colton Stud in Norfolk in 2004 and moving across the county to their current premises at Hilborough Stud five years later.

Murray is survived by husband Chris and will be remembered by her many friends and associates in the world of breeding and sales for her enthusiasm, hard work and skilled horsemanship.