Usk Valley Stud owner Mercer dies at 67

Kevin Mercer, the retired businessman and owner of Usk Valley Stud in Monmouthshire, died on Sunday at the age of 67.

Mercer first got involved in racing after buying a yearling filly for 5,000gns at Newmarket in 1983. Later named Laleston, she won a race and became Mercer's first broodmare.

Together with his wife Susan, Mercer purchased two adjoining farms outside Abergavenny in 1999, which became Usk Valley Stud.

Though unable to fulfil his dreams of a British Classic, Mercer owned the 2001 Oaks d'Italia winner Zanzibar in partnership with Gilly Rowland-Clark. Zanzibar subsequently produced multiple stakes winner Spice Route. Those to have amplified Mercer's Welsh patriotism with stakes success included Gower Song and Nantyglo, who were both retired to join the Usk Valley broodmare band.