Funeral of Wexford-based trainer Michael Cullen to take place on Friday

The funeral of former trainer Michael Cullen will take place at St. Anne's Church in Rathgarogue, County Wexford at noon on Friday with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Cullen passed away earlier this week at 67 years of age following a brave battle with motor neurone disease and was perhaps best known for his exploits with the mare American Jennie.

Former champion jockey Davy Russell paid tribute to Cullen, saying: "He was a very neat and tidy man and his horses were always exceptionally well turned out. He was very particular, there would never be anything out of place. 

"He was very nice and hard-working. Himself and his wife Ann were always side by side – you would never see one without the other.

"He had great success with American Jennie and a few other mares who won nice pots over the years. I rode for him throughout my whole career and he was a very nice man who worked very hard.’’ 

Cullen had many fine days with American Jennie, including when she won at the Punchestown festival on her final start in 2007 having finished third to Butler's Cabin in the Irish Grand National earlier in the month. She was also fourth in the same race the year before. 

American Jennie is now the dam of some smart jumpers, most notably American Mike, a Grade 2-winning chaser who finished second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2022. 

Others who made a name for themselves in the Cullen stable were Carrig Mille, who won the Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at Punchestown in 2013, and four-time winner Bella Mana Mou. 

His final winners were at Tramore in May of 2014, where he saddled a double on the same day. 

Cullen is survived by wife Ann and was surrounded by his family when he passed away. 

Donations, if desired, can be made to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA), imnda.ie.