Cancer claims father who wanted to share a Guinness with his son at Cheltenham

When Stuart Lucock was told in September his cancer was terminal his biggest ambition was to drink a few pints of Guinness with his son and Irish racegoers at Cheltenham on St Patrick's Day.

After learning of his wish on social media, the racing community rallied around to make it a possibility, with the racecourse as well as jockeys and trainers offering tickets.

But on Friday, less than six weeks before the big day, the cancer that started in his thyroid and spread to lymph nodes and lungs claimed his life at the age of 57.

His 21-year-old son Harry, who with a tweet last September sparked an industry-wide effort to make his dying wish a reality, was on his way to surprise his father with a visit on Friday, but Stuart died peacefully in the company of his wife Kate before Harry could get to St Francis Hospice in Havering-atte-Bower on the outskirts of London.

"The last few months the support has been incredible, because of the racing world," said Harry on Monday. "It's helped take our minds off everything that was happening. I just want to say thank you to the entire racing and greyhound community for the support and kind words they have offered us.

"The racecourse sorted us out, trainers have invited us to visit, jockeys have sent messages of condolence and owners and the general punting community have sent some of the most incredibly personal messages of support.

Stuart Lucock: keen racing and greyhound fan

"It's meant everything and has helps so much. Racing's a sport that helps their own in times of need and I want to thank everyone from our entire family, we're so appreciative.

"Even on his deathbed for three weeks he was sat there watching Altior at Ascot, I think that was the last time he saw his racing.

"It's been really tough and going racing, or to the greyhounds, has helped take my mind off things. I've had so many messages, one person suggested getting him to record a message and I didn't listen to it until the night he went, it just broke my heart. He was told on the tenth [January 10] he only had a few days to live. That he made it to February shows how tough he was."

One prominent owner went even further. "Rich Ricci saw the piece in October when Dad had said he'd need to find a suit if we were going and got in touch," said Lucock. "He sent his tailor to my parents' home to measure us up for suits to wear to Cheltenham.

"He was such a nice man, he's a powerhouse in the game so he doesn't need to care about my dad's story but he does and he's gone the extra mile. When we realised Dad wasn't going to make it he had it refitted for me so I could wear it to Cheltenham so he's with me. It's the most incredible gesture.

Stuart Lucock in the suit provided by Rich Ricci's tailor Russell Howarth (left). His son Harry is on the right

"Dad said he won't be there in person but he'll be with me in spirit and I know he will. I'm going to get some photos on the day and get them framed along with his ticket. I'll find a few Irish punters and have a Guinness with them just for him."

The family's friends in the greyhound community have sponsored a race at Romford on Friday, the Stuart Lucock Memorial Trophy, with trainer Kevin Hutton and owner Billy McMahon already pledging if they win the final they will pass on the full prize-money to Kate to put towards the cost of the funeral.

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