'One of the greatest horsemen I ever knew' - HQ trainer Mick Ryan dies aged 80

Former Classic-winning Newmarket trainer Mick Ryan, whose finest hour was preparing Katies to win the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 1984, died in West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds on Thursday evening aged 80.

Ryan was one of Newmarket's finest characters and first took out a licence to train in 1976 and moved to Cadland House Stables, which remains the family home, in 1978. He retired in 2005 and was succeeded at the yard by his son John.

Ryan won more than 700 races at home and abroad during his time as a licence-holder but enjoyed his greatest days with Katies, who was bought by legendary gambler Terry Ramsden just before winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh when she was partnered by Ryan's then stable jockey Philip Robinson at odds of 20-1.

Katies then followed up in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot when, in equally memorable fashion, she accounted for that year's 1,000 Guineas winner Pebbles.

Ryan was also known for preparing the subsequent Breeders' Cup winner Royal Heroine as a juvenile when she won the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot in 1982, and was also active over jumps, winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in 1987 with Osric.

Not afraid to campaign his horses on the continent, Ryan's last big win came when Diamond White captured the Group 2 Prix de l'Opera in 1999.

Philip Robinson: 'I don't remember him ever giving me instructions on any horse I rode'Credit: Chris Bourchier

Robinson paid tribute to Ryan and said: "It's very sad news. Without doubt Mick was one of the greatest horsemen I ever knew. He didn't just train horses, he got inside their heads and could read their minds. I don't remember him ever giving me any instructions on any horse I rode. He used to just leave it to me.

"I started riding for Mick when I was apprenticed to Frankie Durr and I used to go to Holland for him a lot in the early-80s and I think we won just about every Classic over there.

"When I came out of my apprenticeship I joined him as first jockey and we had some great days together, as you can imagine, as Mick was a very funny character.

"I suppose our greatest triumph was winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas with Katies, but beating Pebbles in the Coronation was also up there.

"Ascot was a difficult day for me as I had the choice of the two. Both Clive Brittain and Mick were both brilliant about it, but then they did have Lester Piggott waiting in the wings for the one I rejected. Thankfully, I got it right."

The former jockey added: "Mick was such a professional that if I'd made a mistake it was best just to get off and tell him. He was such a great race-reader that he knew when you'd made a mistake anyway so it was best to come clean. On occasions I'd get off one and I'd say something like, 'this horse needs a trip' and he'd just reply, 'you've finally worked it out!'"

Mick Ryan, who died on Thursday evening aged 80, pictured at Cadland House StablesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ryan's longtime friend and jockeys' agent Dave 'Shippy' Ellis enjoyed many memorable days with the colourful character.

He said: "He was the king of the one-liner but also an astute and very clever trainer who one year won 18 races with just three individual horses. As well as his exploits with Royal Heroine and Katies, he was also one of the first British trainers to win a race at Gulfstream Park in the US. Always ready with a quick quip, he'll be sadly missed in Newmarket and a variety of areas. Thanks for the memories, MJ."

Ryan's neighbour Sir Mark Prescott also paid tribute and said: "I knew Mick for 55 years. He was a consummate horseman who knew the ins and outs of the game from top to bottom. When he got a horse to train, by God he could train it.

"He was a proper character and when Terry Ramsden joined him the pair lit the place up. Ramsden had long hair, was totally disrespectful and had all these good horses, which rattled the cages of the establishment at the time, I can tell you."

Neighbour Sir Mark Prescott: 'When Mick got a horse to train, by God he could train it'Credit: Edward Whitaker

He added: "I've written to John reminding him that the road between myself and Cadland is not adopted so Mick and I were always having to do repairs to it. When I came here the road was called the 'Shag Bag' but in the 70s it got changed to Sackville Street, which was so boring. Mick and I still always knew it as the 'Shag Bag' but perhaps now it should be renamed 'Mick Ryan Street' – that has a nice ring to it."

Ryan leaves a widow Anne, son John, daughter Sarah and grandson Jack.

Remembering Mick Ryan

Full name Michael John Ryan

Born Woodland Stud, Newmarket, May 19, 1941

Family Father: Mick Ryan senior (stud groom at Woodland Stud). Wife: Margaret (married 1966). Children: John & Sarah

Apprenticed to George Colling & Jack Watts, Newmarket 1956-61

Travelling head lad/assistant to Bernard van Cutsem, Newmarket 1964-75

Stables as trainer Greenfield, Newmarket 1976-78; Cadland House, Newmarket 1978-2005

First winner as trainer Don Fortune, Kempton, May 29, 1976

Champion 3-Y-O filly Katies (1984)

Irish Classic winner Katies (1984 Irish 1,000 Guineas)

Coronation Stakes winner Katies (1984, beat Pebbles)

Other Flat Pattern winners Chapel Cottage (1985 Duke of York Stakes), Diamond White (1999 Prix de l'Opera)

Dutch Triple Crown winner Boxberger Speed (1982)

Cheltenham Festival winner Motivator (1986 Coral Golden Hurdle Final)

Christmas Hurdle winner Osric (1987)

Listed winners on Flat Royal Heroine (1982 Princess Margaret Stakes), Brady (1982 Garrowby Handicap), Darby Lady (1985 Garrowby Handicap), Mac's Reef (1986 Racing Post Mile), Wantage Park (1988 John of Gaunt Stakes), Sharp Justice (1988 Sirenia Stakes), Joli's Princess (1991 Princess Elizabeth Stakes), Sweetness Herself (1997 Prix Denisy), Diamond White (1999 Foundation Stakes), Aldora (2003 Dahlia, Conqueror, Princess Elizabeth Stakes, 2005 Conqueror Stakes)

Other big-race winners on Flat Brady (1982 Winter Hill Stakes), Osric (1987 Great Metropolitan Handicap), Langtry Lady (1990 Jubilee Handicap), Joli's Princess (1991 Masaka Stakes), Sweetness Herself (1998 Irish Cesarewitch)

Other big-race winners over jumps Our Bara Boy (1981 Tom Pepper Novices' Hurdle, Aintree), Osric (1987 HSS Hire Shops Hurdle), The Extra Man (2001 Sandown Handicap Hurdle)

Dutch Classic clean sweep 1982

Most prolific winners in a season Pink Tank (8 in 1979, Dutch Horse of the Year), Boxberger Prins (8 in 1979), Brady (7 in 1982)

Last winner Stolen Song, Yarmouth, August 10, 2005

Compiled by John Randall

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