'He was a real showman and there was no-one before or since like him'

Trainers do not come much more flamboyant than the late Oliver Brady, whose post-race celebrations meant even the most modest winners became memorable and that was certainly the case when Zafarqand, a relatively exposed five-year-old gelding at the time, landed a 1m4f maiden at Sligo in the summer of 2013.

Brady, who died of cancer at the age of 75 a year later, was as well known for his tireless fund raising through the as he was for his jubilant reactions, which perhaps peaked on that sunny summer evening, enthralling racegoers as he embarked on a passionate, unforgettable post-race debrief.

Kevin O'Ryan, then At The Races presenter

I'd known Oliver, who was a very clever guy and successful businessman, for as long as he'd been training and obviously he was a big personality who could light up a racecourse when he had a winner.

You'd see people rushing down from the stands to the number one spot to hear Oliver – everyone knew he'd put on a good show. He had such enthusiasm and got a great kick out of a winner and his post-race routine just got bigger and bigger.

A real entertainer, he'd told me on camera before the race that Zafarqand would win, but he was often sweet on his horses, although it was never really in doubt that day when Connor King nicked a couple of lengths turning in.

I went straight into the winner's enclosure afterwards because I'd seen him in action and knew what was coming. I just went in with the mic to get audio and pictures, rather than a formal interview. I knew it was going to happen because, no matter how big or small the winner, Oliver put on the same party, which was always great to see.

Kevin O'Ryan: 'Oliver was a very clever guy and successful businessman'Credit: Patrick McCann

And people loved it. You look at the crowd there that day at Sligo; they were just there for Oliver Brady and the atmosphere he created.

It was probably a low-grade card and run-of-the-mill meeting, but there's always a good atmosphere at Sligo in the summer when the weather is good and it was an ideal place for him to do it because the decent crowd there appreciated it.

It turned into one of those memorable days and you knew when Oliver had a winner, you wouldn't forget it.

People loved it and it's a great advertisement for racing. We're there to provide a service and showcase these characters and he was certainly that. People are attracted by that and can relate to that entertainment. Oliver was a legend, a rare individual among any trainer, jockey or owner who'd do that after a race. He was a real showman and there was no-one before or since like him.

Denis Kirwan, on-course presenter

I've some great memories of Oliver, who was quite a character who did an awful lot of good as well.

He was a man of many colours in the sense he was quite eccentric, but left a great legacy, which included donating life-saving equipment to the Mater Hospital in Dublin. He was a man of many talents and had a lot of depth even though he came across as a bit of a showman when he was on course.

He had a saying, 'Ballybay for drinking tae, while Monaghan drinks brandy, but Castleblayney beats them all for eating sugary candy', which related to where he was from and was his guaranteed party piece when he had a winner, so it was no surprise it came out that day.

Oliver Brady entertains the crowd at Cheltenham in 2007Credit: Edward Whitaker

Oliver, whose annual Cheltenham Festival preview night was extraordinary, was always keen on his horses; he never thought one of his was going to lose. He loved to entertain and come across as the people's man. He put himself forward as somebody the ordinary racegoer could recognise. He was quite a character.

That moment brightened up the afternoon, adding great merriment to the day – there's no doubt about that. To a certain extent, you wouldn't know when Oliver's horses would pop up, but he knew the time of day and when he came into the parade ring that day, he got a huge crowd together and just kicked off. I was just lucky to be there as I suppose it was one of his more memorable performances.

Every walk of life needs characters and Oliver was a great one, who illuminated any track he had a winner at and when one of his did win, the crowd knew what was coming, and would be waiting for him and the words he'd have for them.

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