TOM FOLEY, the man who trained legendary racehorse Danoli, has died aged 74.
Danoli was one of the most popular runners of the Nineties and was regarded as the ‘people’s champion’.
SunSport columnist Matt Chapman tweeted that Foley, who was based in Co Carlow, Ireland, had sadly passed away.
The cause of death is not immediately clear.
Racing fans were quick to pay tribute to a highly popular and much respected trainer.
One said: “Sad news of the passing of legendary Carlow trainer Tom Foley today.
“Trainer of many good horses including the famed Danoli, Tom was a real horseman and a thoroughly nice man.
“Always a pleasure to meet. May he rest in peace.”
Another wrote: “So sorry to hear that Tom Foley has died, his joy at Danoli winning was a pleasure to watch.”
One described him as ‘the greatest gent’, while another comment read: “Shame to hear the passing of Tom Foley, he was a wonderful trainer in Ireland.”
Danoli was an asbolute superstar of racing, remembered for his rivalry with Dorans Pride.
He burst onto the scene when a 7-4 winner of the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival in 1994.
The large Irish fanbase at the Festival had backed the horse into favouritism that day.
And he proved it was no fluke by winning the Aintree Hurdle by eight lengths a month later.
Danoli was retired in August 2000, with Foley saying: “He’s given us some great memories and is a horse we’ll hardly ever see the likes of again.”
The horse was euthanised in 2006 after suffering from colic.
