Tributes have been paid to popular racehorse trainer, owner, breeder and vendor Pat Coffey (pictured) who died tragically in a freak accident last Wednesday afternoon [21 October]. Coffey was well-known in the farming and racing communities, having run Boulagloss Stables in Carrigatoher, Nenagh.

The accident occurred in Portroe, north Tipperary when he was thrown from a cob and trap. A male teenager who was travelling with him was unhurt but was treated for extreme shock after.

Well respected on the Irish point-to-point circuit, most of his horses were trained by Wexford trainer Denis Murphy. Pat had seen his colours carried to success almost 50 times since 2007. As a trainer, he enjoyed a career highlight in England at Huntingdon in 2014 when sending out the well-backed Saddlers Deal and That’s A Fact to win, both of whom were ridden by jockey Davy Russell.

Coffey also bred the five-star event horse Ivan Gooden who finished sixth at Burghley last year under Imogen Murray.

Pat Coffey is survived by his partner Bríd and his three sisters.