Kilbeggan racecourse manager Paddy Dunican dies suddenly, aged 61

Paddy Dunican, manager of Kilbeggan racecourse for over 35 years, died suddenly on Saturday. He was 61.

During his tenure at Kilbeggan, he transformed the Co Westmeath track into one of the most popular in the country, frequently attracting large crowds during its summer meetings, including the Midlands Grand National in July.

A successful auctioneer and businessman, Dunican was Athlone Business Person of the Year in 2018 and was named National Hunt racecourse manager of the year on three occasions.

He was a high-profile figure within the Association of Irish Racecourses and Kilbeggan was one of five tracks that last year formed United Irish Racecourses on the back of dispute with Horse Racing Ireland over the distribution of media rights income within the sector.

Willie Mullins seals first British trainers’ title

---

Willie Mullins may already be plotting next victory as he closes in on first British title

---

Scottish Grand National success turns championship contest into coronation for Willie Mullins

---

Massed ranks of Willie Mullins’s title-chasing team set for Scottish National invasion

---

Dunican’s sad death took pace just weeks before Kilbeggan’s 2024 campaign begins later this month.

• Join us for The Irish Times Inside Politics podcast live in Belfast on April 10th
• Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
• Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date