Tributes have been paid to legendary Irish horse racing figure Joe Crowley after his death aged 91 today.
Rock of Gibraltar - part-owned by former Man United boss Alex Ferguson - was among the hugely successful horses bred by Crowley.
The Kilkenny native, father of Annemarie O'Brien, helped pave the way for his son-in-law Aidan O'Brien to become a six-time champion trainer.
Aidan O'Brien's famous Kilkenny stable at Owning Hill was handed over by Crowley to his daughter before O'Brien took control in 1993, and is now headed by Aidan's son, Joseph O'Brien.
Crowley's family delivered a number of huge landmarks for Irish racing. Annemarie made history by becoming the first woman to win an Irish trainers' championship in 1993, while daughter Frances also made waves in the sport as an Irish Champion Amateur Jockey and successful trainer.
Angela, the joint-youngest of his daughters along with her twin Monika, is married to racing broadcaster Kevin O'Ryan. Breda is married to former jockey Trevor Horgan, while Teresa is the owner of Molesworth Art Gallery in Dublin.
Champion jockey Barry Geraghty paid tribute, tweeting: "Very sad news to hear of Joe Crowley’s passing he was a great Family Man and Horseman who was a pleasure to work with he leaves a massive legacy. Condolences to all of his Family RIP."
Daughter Monika took to Instagram, saying: "I’m sorry to say my Dada passed away peacefully this morning just after turning 91 years old. He was surrounded by all his loving family. R.I.P. Joe Crowley."
O'Ryan said: "Joe was a very wise and very successful yet very unassuming man who was totally self-taught and self-made.
"He was a tough man in his own way right up until the end, and he created a legacy that will live long into the future. We're all going to miss him."
