'Way ahead of his time' - tributes paid to Edward O'Grady Edward O’Grady remembered as ‘remarkable trainer and man’ by jockeys and peers Norman Williamson leads tributes to Edward O’Grady’s legacy Former jockey Norman Williamson led the tributes to Edward O'Grady, who died on Sunday at the age of 75, hailing him “a remarkable trainer and a remarkable man.” Williamson rode a whole host of big-race winners for O'Grady, including his last Cheltenham Festival success in the saddle aboard Back In Front in the 2003 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He also enjoyed notable success aboard the likes of Ned Kelly, winner of the 2002 Irish Champion Hurdle, and Nick Dundee, both owned by John Magnier. “He was a remarkable trainer and a remarkable man and I think way ahead of his time, to be honest,” said Williamson. “What he did as a young man, I think he took over from his father in his early 20s, was amazing. Once you were on his team you knew you were going to be riding some good horses and we had a lot of success together.” O’Grady saddled 18 Cheltenham Festival winners, putting him 17th on the all-time list. “He never took a horse to Cheltenham with no chance, they all had reason to be there and he knew when he had one,” Williamson added. “I actually rode my last Cheltenham winner for him on Back In Front. He was a short-priced favourite (for the Supreme) on the day, but it was like he was running him in a maiden hurdle. Edward knew what he had and he knew he was good enough.” Williamson recalled Ned Kelly’s Irish Champion Hurdle win and lamented Nick Dundee’s premature fall in the SunAlliance Chase. “We had some great times together, he was a great pal and he’ll be sadly missed.” Barry Geraghty and Mouse Morris recall O’Grady’s impact on racing Another jockey who teamed up with O’Grady for Cheltenham Festival success was Barry Geraghty, with Sky’s The Limit winning the 2006 Coral Cup. “It’s really sad news and a shock. Edward was a brilliant man and you would meet him regularly racing. He was always good company and he was a brilliant trainer who had great success,” Geraghty said. “How he produced his horses; they were always so fit and so well and so well schooled.” Geraghty also highlighted O’Grady’s devotion to family. “But above everything else he was a brilliant family man, a great father who loved his family and I’m sure everyone is devastated.” Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Mouse Morris, who rode O’Grady’s first Festival winner Mr Midland in 1974, also paid tribute. “I was with Edward for 17 years, riding for him as an amateur and when I turned professional. He was a very good trainer and was having winners in Cheltenham at a time when the Irish had very few winners there.” Morris cited Golden Cygnet as perhaps O’Grady’s best horse and fondly recalled the victory of I’m Happy. “I think he was the first horse to beat Bula, that’s going back a long time!”
