The renowned bloodstock agent Jack Doyle died on Saturday morning, aged 83. Doyle, a talented sportsman in his youth who earned one cap for the Irish rugby team against Wales in Belfast in the mid-1930s, bought a succession of top class horses during his long career, including the Gold Cup winner, Mill House, and the Champion Hurdle winner, Another Flash.

The son of a Dublin blacksmith, he had spells as a car salesman and a trainer before becoming a bloodstock agent. He was closely linked with trainer Ryan Price and bought the classic winners Bruni and M-Lolshan.

Doyle was a famous raconteur and a very popular figure in racing. Trainer John Oxx said: "Everybody loved Jack. He was good company and nice to everyone. You don't meet many people with his sort of charm."

The funeral mass is at 10.00 today at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Bray, followed by burial at Deans Grange cemetery.