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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Legendary horse trainer Edward O'Grady dies aged 75 just days after saddling his final runner
LEGENDARY horse trainer Edward O'Grady has died aged 75 - just days after saddling his final ever runner. The King of Cheltenham before Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott came on the scene, O'Grady is remembered as one of Ireland's greatest ever handlers. Advertisement 2 Famed horse trainer Edward O'Grady, who made Cheltenham Festival his second home with a whole load of winners, has sadly died aged 75 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 2 O'Grady, right, stands with a much younger Willie Mullins, who he helped pave the way for Cheltenham Festival domination Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd He hit the big time when he teamed up with iconic owner JP McManus to land a huge punt at the Festival in 1982. O'Grady trained the first of more than 80 McManus Cheltenham winners in the shape of Mister Donavan. A fearsome punter, McManus said he won more than £250,000 backing his horse over and over for what is now the Turners Novices' Hurdle. In today's money the victory would be worth more than £1.1million. Advertisement O'Grady had 18 Cheltenham Festival winners in all, his victories coming in the days when British trainers still dominated. His most famous horses included the likes of Golden Cygnet, Gay Future, Native Upmanship, Ned Kelly, Back In Front and Tranquil Sea. O'Grady was training right up until his death. His final ever runner was Sovereign Banter who ran at Cork last Friday night - mere weeks after his last winner, Our Soldier, earlier this month. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Trainer Fergal O'Brien was among the first to pay tribute to a trailblazer in the sport, writing on X: "One of the very best. Sad news." This is the second death to hit racing in as many weeks, after a Despite his success on the track, tragedy was never too far away from O'Grady's personal life. His first wife Judy passed away in 2010, seven years before second wife Maria was killed in a fall. Advertisement O'Grady later remarried and leaves behind wife Kay and children Jonathan, Amber, Lucy, Mimi and Rosie Mae. More to follow.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Legendary horse trainer Edward O'Grady dies aged 75 just days after saddling his final runner
'ONE OF THE BEST' 'ONE OF THE BEST' Legendary horse trainer Edward O'Grady dies aged 75 just days after saddling his final runner Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY horse trainer Edward O'Grady has died aged 75 - just days after saddling his final ever runner. The King of Cheltenham before Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott came on the scene, O'Grady is remembered as one of Ireland's greatest ever handlers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Famed horse trainer Edward O'Grady, who made Cheltenham Festival his second home with a whole load of winners, has sadly died aged 75 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 3 O'Grady, right, stands with a much younger Willie Mullins, who he helped pave the way for Cheltenham Festival domination Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 3 Iconic James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan got one of his big acting breaks playing Edward O'Grady And he is also partly responsible for the rise of James Bond hero Pierce Brosnan - with one of the iconic actor's first big roles being to play O'Grady in the film 'Murphy's Stroke'. O'Grady himself hit the big time when he teamed up with iconic owner JP McManus to land a huge punt at the Festival in 1982. O'Grady trained the first of more than 80 McManus Cheltenham winners in the shape of Mister Donavan. A fearsome punter, McManus said he won more than £250,000 backing his horse over and over for what is now the Turners Novices' Hurdle. In today's money the victory would be worth more than £1.1million. O'Grady masterminded 18 Cheltenham Festival winners from his Tipperary base in all, his victories coming in the days when British trainers still dominated. His most famous horses included the likes of Golden Cygnet, who many said was the greatest hurdler of all time despite his only season over obstacles ending in tragedy. Dubbed 'the horse of the century', he won the 1978 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham before suffering a fatal fall in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr. Gay Future, Native Upmanship, Ned Kelly, Back In Front and Tranquil Sea were other big O'Grady horses. O'Grady, who also enjoyed success as a Flat trainer having been forced to switch when farming troubles hit Ireand, was saddling horses right up until his death. His final ever runner was Sovereign Banter who ran at Cork last Friday night - mere weeks after his last winner, Our Soldier, earlier this month. Trainer Fergal O'Brien was among the first to pay tribute to a trailblazer in the sport, writing on X: "One of the very best. Sad news." This is the second death to hit racing in as many weeks, after a Grand National legend and 'amazing woman' passed away at home. Despite his success on the track, tragedy was never too far away from O'Grady's personal life. His first wife Judy passed away in 2010, seven years before second wife Maria was killed in a fall. O'Grady later remarried and leaves behind wife Kay and children Jonathan, Amber, Lucy, Mimi and Rosie Mae. More to follow.
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Maria Sharapova puts custom-designed mansion up for sale for £18.5m with stunning sea views and BOWLING ALLEY on offer
MARIA SHARAPOVA has put her custom mansion up for sale for £18.5MILLION. The retired tennis star bought the five-bed property 13 years ago for £3m. Advertisement 9 Maria Sharapova has put her custom mansion up for sale for £18.5m 9 Sharapova bought the five-bed property 13 years ago for £3m 9 It is fitted with a bowling alley inside 9 Sharapova reportedly wants to leave LA for Europe 9 There is an outdoor swimming pool 9 Sharapova even designed the property herself 9 The tennis star has lived in the mansion for 13 years But according to , Sharapova has put the mansion up for sale at the starting price of £18.5m ($25m). Sharapova is Reportedly, they want to move to Europe. They would be leaving behind their stunning home which boasts of sea views and Advertisement READ MORE ON MARIA SHARAPOVA It also has an outdoor pool that is connected to the house and complements the patio area. Her bowling alley - complete with two lanes - sits next to her downstairs kitchen. Sharapova even designed the property with a focus on togetherness. Giant doors from her open-plan kitchen slide across to join up with the Japanese-style pool and barbecue area. Advertisement Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS There are huge daybeds on the grass area, which is purposely placed on the other side of the crystal-clear pool. A balcony on the second floor provides panoramic views across Los Angeles with Catalina Island seen in the distance. Kate Middleton hands over Wimbledon trophy to Jannik Sinner after Italian triumphs in tennis final Once the sun has set, Sharapova heads pool-side with a spacious sitting area on her patio which is heated by a giant fireplace. Advertisement The Russian after winning five Grand Slams. The doping suspension understandably damaged her reputation and brand, and she dropped to 373rd in the world. 9 Sharapova is married to Alexander Gilkes Credit: Getty Advertisement 9 Sharapova retired from tennis in 2020 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
The Irish Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
BBC presenter & film producer left six-figure sum for his wife after death aged 95
A FORMER BBC presenter and film producer left a six-figure sum for his wife following his death last year, aged 95. Tony Soper, the former BBC wildlife presenter, died in September 2024 and left a £628k fortune to his family. 4 Wildlife presenter Tony Soper died last year, aged 95 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 4 He left a £628k fortune to his family following his death Credit: Getty 4 Tony Soper Date: 19/06/69 Photo: Salmon Neg No: W6104 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Soper left instructions in his will for his estate to pass to his wife Hilary, who he had lived with in a home in Slapton, Devon. He was born in Southampton in 1929 and brought up in Plymouth. It was there that he began his long career at the BBC as a trainee engineer in 1947 before progressing onto radio and producing. His TV break came when he filled in as unofficial assistant floor manager for Wild Geese in Winter in 1954. Read more Showbiz news And his debut as a presenter was on Animal Magic with Johnny Morris in the 1960s. He was the co-founder of the BBC's Natural History Unit which began in 1957 in Bristol and has produced countless wildlife programmes around the globe. The unit has become world renowned and produced the Planet Earth series narrated by another wildlife icon, Sir David Attenborough. According to his , he started working as a freelancer in 1963 so he could live closer to the sea in Devon. Most read in Showbiz As well as a wildlife camera operator, Soper was also a film producer and went on to present a number of TV shows. His skill in front of the camera earned him the nickname 'One-take Tony'. BBC presenter Tony Soper introduces Birdwatch He presented Birdwatch, Birdspot, Discovering Birds, Discovering Animals, Beside the Sea, Wildtrack and Nature. Soper later pursued a career in leading wildlife cruises to the He also penned a string of books about wildlife in the UK and further afield. Following his sad passing last September, former colleagues flocked to social media to Lorraine Kelly said at the time: "On one of my very first shows presenting on TVam, this wonderful kind man came on to talk about his book on owls. "He was a joy and a delight." Wildlife presenter Stephen Moss said: "Very sad news - Tony Soper was a huge influence on generations of birders and broadcasters. "I had the huge privilege of working with Tony and getting to know him. "The last person who was there at the start of the BBC Natural History Unit - a lovely man." Soper is survived by his wife Hilary, his two sons Tim and Jack and his five grandchildren. 4 Soper began his career at the BBC as a trainee engineer in 1947 Credit: Collect
Scottish Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
BBC presenter & film producer left six-figure sum for his wife after death aged 95
The wildlife icon passed away in September 2024 STAR'S ESTATE BBC presenter & film producer left six-figure sum for his wife after death aged 95 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER BBC presenter and film producer left a six-figure sum for his wife following his death last year, aged 95. Tony Soper, the former BBC wildlife presenter, died in September 2024 and left a £628k fortune to his family. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Wildlife presenter Tony Soper died last year, aged 95 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 4 He left a £628k fortune to his family following his death Credit: Getty 4 Tony Soper Date: 19/06/69 Photo: Salmon Neg No: W6104 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Soper left instructions in his will for his estate to pass to his wife Hilary, who he had lived with in a home in Slapton, Devon. He was born in Southampton in 1929 and brought up in Plymouth. It was there that he began his long career at the BBC as a trainee engineer in 1947 before progressing onto radio and producing. His TV break came when he filled in as unofficial assistant floor manager for Wild Geese in Winter in 1954. And his debut as a presenter was on Animal Magic with Johnny Morris in the 1960s. He was the co-founder of the BBC's Natural History Unit which began in 1957 in Bristol and has produced countless wildlife programmes around the globe. The unit has become world renowned and produced the Planet Earth series narrated by another wildlife icon, Sir David Attenborough. According to his website, he started working as a freelancer in 1963 so he could live closer to the sea in Devon. As well as a wildlife camera operator, Soper was also a film producer and went on to present a number of TV shows. His skill in front of the camera earned him the nickname 'One-take Tony'. BBC presenter Tony Soper introduces Birdwatch He presented Birdwatch, Birdspot, Discovering Birds, Discovering Animals, Beside the Sea, Wildtrack and Nature. Soper later pursued a career in leading wildlife cruises to the Arctic and Antartica. He also penned a string of books about wildlife in the UK and further afield. Following his sad passing last September, former colleagues flocked to social media to pay their tributes. Lorraine Kelly said at the time: "On one of my very first shows presenting on TVam, this wonderful kind man came on to talk about his book on owls. "He was a joy and a delight." Wildlife presenter Stephen Moss said: "Very sad news - Tony Soper was a huge influence on generations of birders and broadcasters. "I had the huge privilege of working with Tony and getting to know him. "The last person who was there at the start of the BBC Natural History Unit - a lovely man." Soper is survived by his wife Hilary, his two sons Tim and Jack and his five grandchildren.
