Liam Brennan, a former trainer in Ireland and champion steeplechase jockey, passed away Sunday Dec. 4. He was 83. Born Mar. 22, 1933, Brennan was the father of Ocala horsemen Niall and Ian Brennan. He was a man who wore many hats in the Irish racing community. In addition to being a champion amateur jockey in 1955, he trained both flat and steeplechase horses–including the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Forgive 'n Forget–and was instrumental in the implementation of Sunday racing in Ireland as a member of the point-to-point committee at Punchestown Racecourse. He was best known for his collaboration with professional punter Barney Curley in the “Yellow Sam Affair,” the greatest gambling coup in the history of Irish racing.
He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Valerie and leaves behind his sons Niall (Stephanie) and Ian (Karen), grandchildren Colin, Kristin, Kaelyn, and Ashleigh, his brother Dennis, sister Bernadette, as well as his extended family of cousins and many close-knit friends.
The viewing will be at Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. local time at Glennon's Funeral Home in Newbridge, with a Rosary at 8 p.m. The funeral will follow an 11 a.m. mass at St. Conleths Parish Church in Newbridge, Wednesday, Dec. 7. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Irish Injured Jockeys fund.
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