Tyrone trainer Lady Gillespie dies aged 54

Tyrone-based trainer Lady Jane Gillespie has died after a short illness. She was 54.

Adrian McAllistar, her assistant trainer, paid a glowing tribute on Sunday to his “horse lover” of a boss.

Lady Gillespie's last success under rules was recorded a little more than a month ago, when Dasheen won a seven-furlong handicap under Billy Lee at Tipperary on his first start for the stable, which McAllistar said had provided Gillespie with a boost.

'Easy woman to work with'

He said: “She got a great kick out of Dasheen winning. Obviously she was sick at the time, but you could see how much the win meant to her and it really spurred her on."

He continued: “She was a very easy woman to work with and she just loved horses. It was her life and she was happiest when she was working with horses. She used to hunt side-saddle and was a brilliant horsewoman. She will be sadly missed.”

A service of thanksgiving is scheduled to take place at St John’s Church, Caledon, County Tyrone this Wednesday at 2pm.

Lady Gillespie, who died on Saturday, is survived by husband John Fitzroy Gillespie and five children.