‘Will to win’ the essence of Darragh
“Paul was a thorough professional in his attitude to the sport and always gave of his best,” said Col Campion of the show jumping legend, who died unexpectedly on Monday evening from a suspected heart attack at the age of 51.
“He was a pleasure to work with and was so consistent in his efforts that it is hard to pick out any one occasion for mention in his remarkable career,” said the former Equestrian Federation of Ireland secretary general, who partnered the rider on many Nations Cup teams.
Born in Killiney, Co Dublin, Darragh began riding at the age of nine, tasting much success on a pony called Peggy Sue. It heralded the emergence of one of the sport’s superstars. He won individual silver at the 1969 junior European Championships to be followed by team bronze in 1970 and team gold the year after.
Competing at the Seoul and Barcelona Olympics and European and World Championships, his most notable individual wins in a career spanning more than 30 years were the Dublin Horse Show grand prix with Carroll’s Trigger in 1987 and the Hickstead Derby with Pele in 1975. He made his Nations Cup debut at the age of 19 in 1972 and went on to play his part on the remarkable hat-trick-winning Aga Khan team of 1977-’79. One of his most notable partnerships came with Jimmy Flynn’s Heather Honey, with whom he won the inaugural Millstreet International Derby in 1978, while with the horse PJ Carroll he cut a swathe through the speed ranks with almost 100 victories.
In 2002, the year before he retired, he jumped a double clear with Concetto to help Ireland win the Nations Cup in Modena, Italy.
He also set up Waterside Stud in Meath, with his partner Alain Storme.
Col Campion, who will give the eulogy at Darragh’s funeral today, highlighted the fact that Darragh’s withdrawal from international competitive action did not mean the end of his contribution to the sport he loved.
“When he retired, he was a very strong and significant voice in show jumping,” he said, referring to the role he played as a non-executive director of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and his tireless work as a member of the RDS equestrian committee.
Col Campion also noted his efforts as a mentor.
“His contribution in assisting younger riders was most significant, and not just nationally. He was highly regarded internationally as a trainer and gave many clinics in Europe, the US and the Middle East,” he said, referring to Princess Haya of Jordan as one of his star pupils.
Of the man, he said: “He had a very keen mind and was interested in many topics. He could speak knowledgeably about philosophy, world affairs and he had a great sense of humour. He was a great man to tell anecdotes, was the best of company and, outside of the arena, it was my good fortune to know Paul as a friend,” Col Campion said, adding: “he will be missed”.
Darragh is survived by his wife Jane, daughters Amy and Lynda, son Andrew and his father Austin.
His funeral takes place today after 11am Mass, to Rathfeigh Cemetery, Co Meath.
