Tommy Doyle, Trainer of Avatar and Typecast, Is Dead at Age 71

Tommy Doyle, trainer of champion mare Typecast, Belmont Stakes-winner Avatar and a host of stakes-winning 2-year-olds, succumbed to a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease early Sunday morning at the age of 71.

The native of Dublin, Ireland, came to America in 1950 and not long after became renowned for his success with young thoroughbreds. Through the 1960s and ‘70s he sent out scores of 2-year-old stakes winners, primarily at Hollywood Park and Del Mar.

But Doyle was hardly a one-dimensional horsemen. He took over the training of the temperamental Typecast in 1971 at age four and transformed her into the best older mare in the country in 1972. Among her victories was a victory over the nation’s best male grass horses in the Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park.

In addition, Doyle won the Santa Anita Derby three times, with Avatar (1975), Habitony (1977) and Mighty Adversary (1984). Among his other top horses were the brilliant fillies Miss Tokyo, Ski Goggle and Windy’s Daughter.

Doyle is survived by his wife, Janet, and four children: sons Barry and Kevin, and daughters Tricia Doyle and Maureen White.

As rosary will be said Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Live Oak Chapel in Duarte. Funeral services will be Wednesday at the Immaculate Conception Church in Monrovia.