Arthur Moore pays tribute to 'enthusiast' Raymond Keogh after death of owner

Arthur Moore has led the tributes to former owner Raymond Keogh, who died after a short illness on December 30 at the age of 88.

Keogh a prominent owner in Ireland in the 1970s and 1980s, had his biggest success as an owner when bargain buy Irian, trained by Moore, landed the 1979 Sweeps Hurdle under Ann Ferris at 25-1.

Moore said: “Raymond was a very close friend and I'd known him since I was a kid because he'd mastered the Ward Hounds and my parents used to hold a lawn meet every year at Fairyhouse, which he used to attend.

"Off the back of that, he sent me Irian, with Raymond repaying my parents' kindness. He also owned my 50th winner, Legal Switch, but Irian was very special for him as he was going through a bad time with his business at that stage. When the horse won it was a fantastic thrill.”

Arthur Moore on the late Raymond Keogh: 'He was a huge enthusiast who did York and Ascot every year and he loved his betting and his racing'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Moore added: “He was a huge enthusiast who did York and Ascot every year, and he loved his betting and his racing. He was racing up until last summer and he was always very dapper. It's very sad.”

A well-known cattle dealer, Keogh also owned many good Flat horses with Stuart Murless and had a share in the 1975 1,000 Guineas winner Nocturnal Spree.

He also had a lengthy association with Ward Union Hunt, for which he was secretary, master and chairman in that order.

Husband of the late Joan, Keogh is survived by his children Jonathan, Sarah, Rachel, Simon and Dominic.

Reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster Street, Maynooth on Friday (January 3) from 4pm, followed by removal at 6.30pm to arrive at St. Mary's Church, Moyglare Rd, Maynooth (eircode W23N663) at 7pm.

The funeral mass will take place on Saturday at 10am followed by burial in Mainham Cemetery, Clane.

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