Paddy Meehan, the former head stallion man of the National Stud, died at home on Wednesday, July 28 at the age of 56.
Born in Co Meath, Ireland, Meehan grew up at Ballymacoll Stud where his father Oliver was stud groom. He moved to Newmarket in 1987, initially to work for Lanwades Stud, and remained in the town for more than three decades. He also worked at Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs but was best known for his long association with the National Stud, where he was a popular face for many years and was named as a finalist in last year's Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.
A natural horseman, he was devoted to the stallions he worked alongside, with his favourites being Bahamian Bounty (GB) and Val Royal (FR). The year that Val Royal moved from Ireland to the National Stud he was represented by the winner of the 2000 Guineas and Irish 2000 Guineas, Cockney Rebel (Ire), who retired to stand alongside his father the following year, also under Meehan's care.
Paying tribute to his colleague, Brian O'Rourke, former manager of the National Stud, said, “Paddy was a superb horseman and all he ever thought about was his horses. He just adored Bahamian Bounty, along with the other horses, but he was his favourite. For the nine and a half years that I worked with Paddy we never had a cross word, and that was a testament to him.”
Meehan's younger brother Gerry followed him across the Irish Sea to work in the British bloodstock industry. He said, “He was just a fantastic horseman and I greatly looked up to him. I learned a lot from him, just by watching him with stallions and how much respect they showed him. The more awkward the horse, the more he excelled with him. It was uncanny how he managed to get them to do what he wanted them to do. He never looked flustered or got angry with the horse; he just made it look easy.
“But apart from being a superb stallion man, he wasn't always perfect but he was always a big brother to me and was always there when I needed him, even right to the end. He loved new people coming into the job and loved to be able to give people a chance.”
Paddy Meehan is survived by his father Oliver, siblings Gerry, Oliver, Sandra and Michelle, and son Adam. His funeral service will take place on Monday, Aug. 16 at 10.30am at Our Lady Immaculate and St Etheldreda Catholic Church in Newmarket. A celebration of his life will follow nearby at the Heath Court Hotel. All are welcome, and those wishing to attend should contact Gerry Meehan on +44 (0)7803 803011.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help to cover the costs of the funeral. Any additional funds will be shared equally between the British Heart Foundation and East Anglian Ambulance.
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