Bill McLuskey, popular owner of Lincoln winner Ocean Tempest, dies aged 74

Group-race winning owner Bill McLuskey, who enjoyed notable success with the likes of Silver Grecian, Iver Bridge Lad and Ocean Tempest, passed away last week aged 74.

McLuskey’s familiar blue colours were mainly associated with horses carrying the ‘Ocean’ prefix – named after his company Ocean Trailers – and trained by John Ryan.

Ocean Tempest, who won the prestigious Lincoln handicap at Doncaster in 2014, and Silver Grecian, who landed the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket in 2009, provided McLuskey with his biggest wins in recent times.

Watch Ocean Tempest win the Lincoln

The remarkable Ocean Tempest won a handicap at Chester off a mark of 115 – no horse this century has defied a higher rating in Britain.

McLuskey's partner for the last 20 years Sylvia Halley said: "Bill owned many winners outright or in partnership and will be deeply missed by all his family and friends as he was a very generous man who simply lived for racing – be it horses or greyhounds.

"He was quite involved with greyhound racing until Walthamstow closed in 2008 as he had a number of dogs racing at the track, most of whom were trained by Gary Baggs and latterly Seamus Cahill. He also sponsored many open races at the stadium.

"Unfortunately in his later days he was unable to go racing due to ill health but still kept in touch with what was going on as he watched so much horse racing and greyhound racing on television at home."

McLuskey’s funeral is at Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip HA4 7SJ on Friday, September 14, at 12.15.

Former Lincoln winner Ocean Tempest joins British Racing School