Michael Rafferty, popular Anaglogs Daughter personality on Twitter, dies aged 61

Horseracing's online community is mourning the death of popular figure Michael Rafferty, the man behind prominent racing nostalgia account Anaglogs Daughter (@AnaglogsDaughtr) on Twitter.

It was announced on Wednesday evening that he died peacefully aged 61 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda following increased health issues in recent weeks.

A passionate follower of the sport renowned for posting pictures and newspaper clippings from the past, Rafferty regularly interacted with leading trainers and jockeys, sharing his unique brand of humour.

He was praised for the frankness and honesty with which he spoke about his mental health difficulties, acting as a supportive figure for other social media users facing similar challenges.

Michael Rafferty (centre): well-liked personality died on Wednesday after health issuesCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Such was his popularity, 'RIP Michael' has been trending on Twitter since news of his passing emerged.

Curragh chief executive Brian Kavanagh frequently interacted with Rafferty online and hailed the impact that his social media presence had on many people.

Kavanagh told the Racing Post: "I think everyone was very sad to hear the news. He made a huge amount of friends all over the world on Twitter with his output and was really well loved. He had a great sense of humour and loved a bit of banter, but there was a serious side to him too.

"Some of the things he wrote for people who were struggling with various different issues over the years were lovely, while he had his own challenges on that front.

"It was a hugely brave thing to be as open as he was and I don't think he realised how much good he was doing in that respect, or how well regarded he was. He'll be sorely missed."

Kavanagh added: "Suzanne Campbell and Ed Nicholson were great friends of his, and his nephew Mark Noone used to drive him to the races. We had been updated over the past ten days by Suzanne and I think everyone hoped he would pull through, but it wasn't meant to be."

In recent years he presented the winning prize for the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, with the help of race sponsors Unibet, and developed an association with prominent owners the McNeill Family.

Rafferty (third from left): presents the prize to connections of Sharjah after the 2021 Morgiana HurdleCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Max McNeill said: "It's very sad news as we became good friends through Twitter. He had gotten a bit down at times and we wanted to get him back out racing, so we gave him owners' badges for Irish meetings where we had runners.

"He became our Irish representative; something we were proud of and he was delighted about. We had great conversations with him privately and he really loved our horses.

"One of the most humbling things is that he wants some of our silks to be buried alongside him. We're gutted to lose him."

Grand National-winning jockey Brendan Powell was among those to strike up a friendship with Rafferty online, and visited his Ardee home in County Louth while travelling to race meetings at Dundalk in recent times.

Powell said: "He was a very intelligent man, not just with horseracing. I bet he could be grumpy – like we all can be at times – but there's no doubt he had a heart of gold.

"We all had a chance to relive the past with what he gave to us on Twitter. I spoke to him a few days before he went into hospital and he seemed in good spirits. It's very sad. I've met some of his family before and they're lovely people."

Powell added: "It was amazing to see he was trending on Twitter within a few hours of the news breaking. If only he could see it now he wouldn't believe it."

Predeceased by his parents Jimmy and Betty, and brother Pat, he will be sadly missed by sisters Ann, Elizabeth, Alison and Paula, brothers Jim and John, aunts Bridgeen, Lily and Marie, uncle Augustine, and extended family and friends.

He will repose at the home of his sister Alison Gough in Ardee (Eircode A92 HE95) on Thursday from 3pm to 8pm, as well as on Friday from 2pm until removal at 6.15pm to the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, Ardee (arriving at 6.45pm).

Rafferty's funeral mass will take place on Saturday at 10am and can be viewed via the parish webcam online, with his burial following afterwards in Ballapousta Cemetery.