Lord Weinstock dies aged 77

Lord Weinstock, owner of Golan and Pilsudski, and proprietor of the Ballymacoll Stud Farm in County Meath, has died today aged 77.

The leading owner, a former top industrialist, also had horses with Sir Michael Stoute, Marcus Tregoning and Nicky Henderson in Britain.

The Ballymacoll Stud manager Peter Reynolds tonight expressed his sadness at the death of his employer.

He said: 'I am very saddened by the death of Lord Weinstock who I worked for for 31 years.'

Golan, last year`s Sagitta 2000 Guineas winner, is a leading fancy for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes due to be held at Ascot on Saturday.

He is one of a number of top horses Weinstock owned during his long involvement with racing.

Weinstock`s connection with racing spans around 45 years, during which time he owned horses in both his own name and in partnership with his late father-in law Sir Michael Sobell.

He enjoyed a number of big race winners the highlight of which was the success of Troy under Willie Carson in the 1979 Epsom Derby.

Weinstock`s final victory was at Gowran Park when White Queen, trained by John Oxx and ridden by Johnny Murtagh, won a fillies maiden at the end of June while his last winner in Britain came courtesy of the tough stayer Cover Up in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.