Leading trainers and jockeys mourn death of UAE racing legend Pat Buckley

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Leading trainers and jockeys mourned the death of Pat Buckley, the Grand National-winning jockey, and one of the most influential figure in the history of racing in the UAE.

Buckley passed away at the age of 77 on Thursday. He rode Ayala to win the 1963 Grand National among a host of big-race victories, according to a Racing Post story.

The jockeys were sporting black armbands in the final two races of the Dubai World Cup Carnival meet at the Meydan, after the sad death of UAE racing stalwart Buckley was announced by Tadhg O’Shea following Secret Ambition’s victory.

They also wore black armbands throughout the seven races at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday as a mark of respect for racing legend.

A two-time UAE champion rider Richard Mullen termed Buckley’s death as ‘a great loss”.

“The whole of the UAE has lost a dear friend in Pat (Buckley). I have been here for 22 years, and counting, and Pat's been a big part in racing here and part of my life. He's been a great friend to me and the UAE will be a quieter place without him.

“We can only send our condolences to his family here and in the UK. He was an integral part of the inaugural running of the [Dubai] World Cup and he mentored us when we came over here. It's a great loss and the world's a smaller place without him,” the Racing Post report further added.

Godolphin jockey William Buick added: “I'm very sorry to hear of Pat Buckley's passing and my condolences to his family and close friends.

It's incredibly sad.

“I knew him quite well from my days going to Abu Dhabi and he was always very friendly. He was the ultimate professional. It's a sad day for racing, not only in the UAE but across the world.” Buckley had served as apprentice to trainer Captain Neville Crump after leaving Ireland in 1957, with his finest moment in the saddle coming when he steered 66-1 shot Ayala to success at Aintree for Keith Piggott, father of Lester, as a 19-year-old.

Buckley also won the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1963 and 1964 on Hoodwinked and Dormant and the 1968 Scottish Grand National on Arcturus.

After retiring from riding, Buckley travelled to Oman in 1978 where he spent ten years helping the local Jockey Club establish a racecourse and equestrian facility. He was then asked to help in the creation of a racing industry in Abu Dhabi, moving to the country in 1990.

Buckley oversaw the first meeting at Abu Dhabi in 1991 and remained a prominent figure in the UAE for the next three decades and played a key part in the first running of the Dubai World Cup in 1996.