One of a 'complete team' - Maureen Brittain dies at 87

Maureen Brittain, for many years a crucial part of husband Clive's success as a trainer in Newmarket, has died at the age of 87.

She had been suffering from dementia for a number of years, and her care was the cause to which Brittain devoted himself after retiring in 2015.

Former jockey and lifelong ally Philip Robinson described Clive and Maureen Brittain as "the complete team," while owner/breeder Bill Gredley said she was "instrumental in the success of the yard".

The couple met in 1952 while both worked for Sir Noel Murless at Warren Place, a relationship which Clive has always said began when Maureen was sent to check on him in hospital after the then apprentice jockey fell out of the back of a van.

From the moment Brittain took out a licence in 1972 she was an equal partner in the running and planning of his training operation, as well as earning a reputation for bountiful hospitality shown to visitors at Carlburg Stables.

Robinson's memories of the Brittains reach back to his time as a champion apprentice. He explained how while Clive played the happy warrior for the press and public, Maureen was working away in the background to ensure the smooth running of the yard.

"She was a massive part of the whole operation," said Robinson. "They were just the complete team. She ran everything in the office and even when they had secretaries, she was always in charge and kept a tight rein."

Maureen Brittain 'kept a very tight rein' on the running of husband Clive's Carlburg StablesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com)

Robinson reported that Brittain was "keeping a very brave face" and had told him to enjoy Ascot week when he called to pay his respects on Monday morning.

Robinson said: "They absolutely dedicated their lives to racing, it was everything to them. They lived and breathed racing.

"No matter what race meeting Clive went off to, Maureen would always be with him. She would take the office with them in the car, working away on the laptop while he was driving. They were a formidable pairing."

Gredley shared Oaks success at both Epsom and the Curragh with the Brittains thanks to User Friendly, who would go on to land the Yorkhire Oaks and the St Leger. It was a campaign which earned her 1992 Cartier European Horse of the Year honours.

Bill Gredley paid tribute to Maureen Brittain, who has died at the age o 87Credit: Edward Whitaker

"My relationship with them goes back to the 1970s and Clive trained some good horses for me including User Friendly," said Gredley. "Maureen was very much part of the training. She ran the office and was very efficient, very sociable, and although people always say this, she was a really nice person.

"Maureen was instrumental in getting a restaurant for the lads and she thought very much about other people. You'd always have a coffee with her when you came off the gallops in the morning.

Gredley added: "She was a good wife to Clive and he adored her. She was instrumental in the success of that yard. There were some very good days and she shared them. It's very sad."