RIP Walter R Swinburn, jockey of Shergar and Lammtarra
Dec 12, 2016 19:31:44 GMT
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Post by reamsofverse on Dec 12, 2016 19:31:44 GMT
So shocked to learn a few moments ago that Walter R Swinburn has passed away aged 55.
I was with his Father at The Curragh last September during Champions weekend and told him I was there because of Walter and Shergar who I went to see win the 1981 Chester Vase down the road from my home. It was because of that day that I became passionate about the sport and the legacy that Shergar had left which is why have been to everywhere he lived, Beechurst on the Bury Road in Newmarket where Michael Stoute trained him, Gilltown Stud where he was born in Ireland and Ballymany where he was stolen from. I also told him that they were the reason why I have been to every major stud and racing yard in the UK in the last two years and see some of teh best racehorses of all time, Chester in 81' and Shergar and Walter Swinburn are the reason why I have done everything I have done within the sport.
His Father is a lovely man too and told me that he was humbled that I shared that story with him and that Walter would be very proud to learn that his achievements meant so much to people, I shook his hand said that they did and asked if he would pass on my best wishes which he said he would be happy to do.
I won't go into it as a mark of respect to the family whose privacy I respect but I did ask his Dad that day how Walter was and the answer wasn't one I was expecting but was told that he's ok, coping and keeping in high spirits.
I wish I had met him because he was such a Gentleman.
RIP The Choirboy, I hope you are reunited with the great Shergar and Lammtarra and are galloping away like you did in the old days.
This is his Dad at The Curragh receiving an award from Irish Rugby star Ronan O'Gara and another retired jockey, Michael Kinane. Fittingly Pat Smullen is in the background in the Shergar colours.
W R Swinburn and Shergar
Me and the great Lammtarra
I was with his Father at The Curragh last September during Champions weekend and told him I was there because of Walter and Shergar who I went to see win the 1981 Chester Vase down the road from my home. It was because of that day that I became passionate about the sport and the legacy that Shergar had left which is why have been to everywhere he lived, Beechurst on the Bury Road in Newmarket where Michael Stoute trained him, Gilltown Stud where he was born in Ireland and Ballymany where he was stolen from. I also told him that they were the reason why I have been to every major stud and racing yard in the UK in the last two years and see some of teh best racehorses of all time, Chester in 81' and Shergar and Walter Swinburn are the reason why I have done everything I have done within the sport.
His Father is a lovely man too and told me that he was humbled that I shared that story with him and that Walter would be very proud to learn that his achievements meant so much to people, I shook his hand said that they did and asked if he would pass on my best wishes which he said he would be happy to do.
I won't go into it as a mark of respect to the family whose privacy I respect but I did ask his Dad that day how Walter was and the answer wasn't one I was expecting but was told that he's ok, coping and keeping in high spirits.
I wish I had met him because he was such a Gentleman.
RIP The Choirboy, I hope you are reunited with the great Shergar and Lammtarra and are galloping away like you did in the old days.
This is his Dad at The Curragh receiving an award from Irish Rugby star Ronan O'Gara and another retired jockey, Michael Kinane. Fittingly Pat Smullen is in the background in the Shergar colours.
W R Swinburn and Shergar
Me and the great Lammtarra
