Vincent O'Toole, breeder of Viking Flagship and Flagship Uberalles, dies aged 92

Vincent O'Toole, a Waterford City hotelier who achieved the rare feat of breeding both a Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival winner from a very small number of mares, died in Waterford University Hospital last Saturday. He was 92.

A master mariner by profession, O'Toole, in conjunction with his daughter, Eithne Holdsworth, bred and initially campaigned two Champion Chase winners in Viking Flagship and Flagship Uberalles, and sold them on before they achieved their greatness.

Viking Flagship, by the Northern Dancer stallion Viking, and trained by David Nicholson, won the Champion Chase in both 1994-95 among many memorable victories in an outstanding career.

Flagship Uberalles, by Accordion, won the Champion Chase in 2002 when trained by Philip Hobbs, having taken the Arkle in 1999 when under the care of Paul Nicholls.

Both were out of the Oats mare, Fourth Degree, who also produced the very useful juvenile hurdle winner Glenstal Flagship, who won what is now the Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Punchestown in 1994 when trained by Aidan O'Brien.

O'Toole's Royal Ascot winner came courtesy of Sea Falcon, who won the Windsor Castle Stakes in 1984 for trainer Peter Makin when he was ridden to victory by Steve Cauthen.

His burial was due to take place in St Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner, County Waterford today.

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