AUBREY BRABAZON, jockey, horseman, trainer, sportsman and gentleman, died early yesterday morning at his home, Rangers Lodge, the Curragh after a five month illness from cancer. He was 76.
Brabazon earned his place in the annals of racing when riding Cottage Rake to his three Cheltenham Gold Cup victories in 1948, 1949 and 1950 and Hatton's Grace to the first two of his three successes in the 1949 and 1950 Champion Hurdle. Shortly after Cottage Rake won his third Gold Cup Aubrey won the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Mighty Ocean.
He served his apprenticeship with his father, Cecil, at Rangers Lodge between 1935 and 1939. He began to ride for Vincent O'Brien shortly after O'Brien had started to train and rode the stable's first hurdle and chase winner, Wren Boy, at Limerick Junction in October, 1944 and Panay at Thurles the following June. Panay was owned by Frank Vickerman, owner of Cottage Rake.
Aubrey rode on the Flat for J T Rogers, Paddy Prendergast and for a time was first jockey to the late Aly Khan. He was a most stylish horseman and his experience on the Flat stood him well in a finish. Altogether he rode 406 winners in Ireland between 1935 and 1959, and in 1946 he was joint champion under both codes along with his great rival Martin Molony who, incidentally rode the runner up to Cottage Rake in 1948 (Happy Home) and 1950 (Finnure).
Like many other great jockeys Aubrey did not make a big name for himself as a trainer. His best horse was probably My Kuda who won the Ulster Derby in 1966 and was third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
In paying tribute to Aubrey Brabnzon, Vincent O'Brien said yesterday: "I am deeply grieved to hear of Aubrey's death. He was a wonderful character and a great friend. In my time he was one of the greatest both on the Flat and over jumps and I owe some of my greatest successes to him.
"He was a very polished rider and when it came to riding a finish he had no peer. His achievements will go down in history and he will always be remembered by those who saw him ride."
Said Martin Molony: "He was one of nature's gentlemen and I can't give a man a higher commendation than that. He was a great sportsman."
Aubrey is survived by his wife, Ethne, and sons, Dick, Peter, Anthony and John, and daughters, Sally, Mary and Gabrial, to whom deepest sympathy is extended. The removal is to St Bridget's Cathedral, Kildare at 6.0 p.m. this evening and the funeral will take place from St Bridget's at 3.0 p.m. tomorrow.
