OBITUARIES / PASSINGS / Vincent O’Brien

Vincent O’Brien, 92, one of horse racing’s great European trainers during a career that lasted more than half a century, died Monday at his home in Straffan in County Kildare, his family said. He retired from training in 1994 and had been spending his winters in Australia.

He won 16 English and 27 Irish classics in addition to 25 victories at Royal Ascot and 23 at the Cheltenham Festival.

Breeders’ Cup President Greg Avioli lauded O’Brien for his “deep and profound impact” on racing. “His career was extraordinary, and he set a standard of international excellence that will be rarely equaled,” Avioli said.

O’Brien began training in 1943 and masterminded the career of three-time Champion Hurdle winner Hatton’s Grace. He won straight Grand National steeplechases with Early Mist, Royal Tan and Quare Times.

O’Brien later switched to thoroughbred racing and trained Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Alleged, Sadler’s Wells, Golden Fleece, The Minstrel, El Gran Senor, Ballymoss and Roberto.