Friends and family gather to remember Gold Cup-winning trainer

Francis Flood: an outstanding horseman who won the 1972 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Glencaraig LadyCredit: Patrick McCann

The fog cleared and the sun shone on the Church of St Oliver Plunkett in the tiny County Wickow village of Grangecon on Thursday as friends and neighbours of the late Francis Flood joined the Flood family for the funeral mass of the popular Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer who died on Tuesday aged 86.

The mass was celebrated by local parish priest Fr Tommy Dillon, who spoke about Flood's career in racing but concentrated more on Flood the devoted family man, husband, father of five and grandfather of six, all of whom attended the mass.

Predictably Glencaraig Lady, Flood's 1972 Gold Cup winner, received a few mentions and Fr Dillon said that he had watched the race the previous day.

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Tony O'HehirRacing Post Reporter

Published on 20 October 2016inNews

Last updated 19:59, 20 October 2016

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