THE big-spending and popular jumps owner Mike Grech has died at the age of 63.
The sad news was posted on social media by his long-standing friend and former co-owner Stuart Parkin.
Grech revealed in July that he was selling his horses and taking a sabbatical from the sport after his business was placed into administration last November.
As a result his two star racehorses, Brandy Love and I Am Maximus, were sold privately to Joe Donnelly and JP McManus respectively.
On his first start for McManus, the Willie Mullins-trained I Am Maximus went on to win the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April.
Grech became a major force in British jumps racing in 2015 in partnership with his good friend Parkin.
They spent hundreds of thousands on horses, including the likes of River Wylde, Claimantakinforgan and Mr Whipped, before Parkin fell out of love with the sport and their horses were sent to the sales as part of a huge dispersal.
Speaking at the time of their split, Grech said: “I think we went too big, too quick. We started buying store horses and two-year-olds and three-year-olds, trying to remove ourselves from the point-to-point market.
"We should have gone a little bit quieter and kept it more realistic. When you have the amount of horses we have, it creates an awful lot of pressure.”
But Grech remained in the game and made headlines in 2020 when he went on a big spending spree, buying Gallyhill and Keskonrisk for an eye-watering £450,000 and £370,000 respectively.
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Neither would enjoy any major successes, however, and Grech's only win at the top level came with the high-class mare Brandy Love – who is named after the porn star.
Racing fans and personalities were quick to pay tribute to Grech.
ITV Racing's Adele Mulrennan said: "So sorry to hear this news I always enjoyed looking after Mike's horses when he had them at Dandy’s condolences to his family and friends."
One fan said: "So sorry to read this. Some lovely memories of years past, thoughts with his family."
While another added: "Sorry to hear this news. I remember him being ecstatic a fair few times at Haydock & Aintree over the years."
More to follow…
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