Evie Stockwell, mother of John Magnier and a successful owner-breeder, dies aged 96

Evie Stockwell, the popular and knowledgable matriarch of one of racing's great families, has died, aged 96. She was the mother of John Magnier and a successful owner-breeder in her own right.

She married Tom Magnier, owner of the Grange Stud in Fermoy, in 1947.

When Magnier died in 1962, she raised their four children. Her eldest son, John, left school to help with the smooth running of the stud and farm. He would go on to become a founding father of the Coolmore breeding operation whose influence in horse racing is felt all around the world.

John's brother David, and sister Anne, are also involved in horse racing, while his brother Peter was a successful breeder until his death in 2019.

Up until her sad death on Saturday, Stockwell continued to be active in racing and owned a select group of horses in the famous blue and brown colours that had belonged to her husband Tom.

One of her most popular horses in recent years was the filly Fairyland, who took the Cheveley Park Stakes in 2018 and amidst particularly touching family scenes.

The filly also won the Flying Five on Irish Champions Weekend the following year.

Stockwell's silks were seen to good effect again at the same meeting on Saturday as Glounthaune finished a fine second in the Boomerang Mile.

Brave Anna was another of her stars and she also enjoyed Breeders' Cup glory in 2015 with Hit It A Bomb, given that name after she heard an American rival say the phrase while playing golf.