Racing communities in mourning after the death of Willie Codd at 43

The Irish racing and point-to-point communities were united in grief on Thursday following the news that Willie Codd, brother of reigning champion amateur rider Jamie, had died at the age of 43 on Wednesday night.

A well-known source of smart point-to-pointers whose production line included Alisier D’Irlande, Tell Us More, Stellar Notion and Tranquil Sea, Codd won the 2003 Champion Hunter Chase as a rider on What Odds, trained by Barry Geraghty’s father Tucker, at Punchestown.

He also trained and rode Tenshookmen to win five chases and three point-to-points up to 2005, saddling 31 winners on the track in all.

His most recent scorer in that realm was his prolific mare Tellthemnuttin, who won three times in four starts last spring, including twice at Codd’s local track Wexford.

As well as his brother Jamie, Codd is survived by his eight-year-old son Jack and month-old daughter Aria, his parents Billy and Mary Frances, and his sisters Lisa and Zoe.

'A big loss'

Multiple point-to-point champion and leading amateur rider Derek O’Connor paid a heartfelt tribute to Codd.

"Willie is a big loss to the industry," he said. "He was a very nice fella and a very nice fella to ride for, and a great producer of horses.

"He is a huge loss to his family in the first place but also to the point-to-point community. It is very sad."

Codd will repose at his parents' home in Mayglass, County Wexford from 12pm on Friday. His funeral mass will take place at 12pm on Saturday at St Fintan's Church, Mayglass.

His family have requested any donations in lieu of flowers be made to the ASK and Irish Injured Jockeys' Fund charities, and that the house remain private on Saturday morning.