Death of successful bloodstock agent Edward Daly

Edward Daly, a respected bloodstock agent who struck many significant deals, not least the sale of El Prado to stand in the US, died suddenly on Saturday.

Daly was inspired to devote his life to thoroughbreds after witnessing Nijinsky's Triple Crown triumph of 1970 as an impressionable 14 year old. He duly served his apprenticeship at a number of studs including Collinstown and Coolmore in Ireland and Yarraman Park in Australia.

He was later assistant trainer to Neil Adam in the period Gentilhombre won back-to-back runnings of the Prix de l'Abbaye and Cawston's Clown and Haveroid also took big sprints for the stable.

Daly joined Airlie Stud in 1980 and two years later his mentor Captain Tim Rogers promoted him to manager of Loughtown Stud, where Ballad Rock and Tumble Wind were standing.

After Rogers' death Daly managed Simmonstown Stud until 1990, when he went it alone as a bloodstock agent.

Daly achieved considerable success in this sphere, especially with his deals sending horses across the Atlantic. His crowning achievement is no doubt purchasing Sadler's Wells' National Stakes-winning son El Prado from Vincent O'Brien and partners to stand as a sire for Frank Stronach.

El Prado was hugely successful at stud in North America, supplying eight top-flight winners and commanding a six-figure fee at the peak of his powers. He can also be considered a true breed-shaper, with sons Kitten's Joy and Medaglia D'Oro excelling as stallions in their own right.

Daly would later also purchase Derby hero North Light from Ballymacoll Stud on behalf of Stronach's Adena Springs operation.

Another notable deal was the private purchase of Fiesolana from France as a three-year-old out of training for just €20,000. The daughter of Aussie Rules was saddled by Willie McCreery to win three Group 3 contests at four, after which she was sold to the Niarchos family for 960,000gns and won the Matron Stakes for her new owners.

Daly was also responsible for brokering the sales of promising Irish maiden winners Roca Rojo and Watsdachances to race in the US, where they became Grade 1 performers on turf for Chad Brown.

Furthermore, he helped realise several notable stallion deals in Europe, including those that brought Kalanisi from the Aga Khan Studs to Boardsmill Stud, Snow Sky to Ballycurragh Stud and Paco Boy to Turkey.

A true renaissance man in the bloodstock industry, Daly once also bought prospective jumpers with the late John Durkan on behalf of Kim Bailey and Bill Smith. He sold horses into eastern Europe and Hong Kong too.

Fellow agent Federico Barberini paid tribute to his friend and long-term associate on Monday.

“He was one of those very rare people, a great professional with a deep knowledge of the thoroughbred, but also a true gentleman,” he said.

“He was an exceptional judge of conformation and also form – I think the different roles early in his career gave him a good grounding in every stage of a horse's life.

“He was a valuable help to me when I started out in my career and 20 years ago we would go to Keeneland together and scour the last books of the September yearling catalogue for bargains. I learned a lot from him and he became a great friend.”

Daly did not court publicity in spite of his many successes and Barberini added that it was regrettable that he is not better known.

“It amazes me that he didn't gain wider recognition as one of the very best agents in the industry,” he said. “He was unable to attend sales as regularly in later years and so wasn't seen as much. It's a shame that younger generations getting into the game will not be aware just how good he was.”

Daly is survived by son Peter, brothers John and Michael, sisters Jean, Maria, Anne, Dympna and Florence and nieces and nephews.

His funeral mass will be held on Thursday at 10am at the Church of Our Lady and St David in Naas, followed by cremation in Newlands Cross crematorium.