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MORGAN O'BRIEN

The death occurred in Christchurch on Sunday of Mr Morgan O'Brien, a well-known Christchurch businessman, a prominent owner of racehorses, and a member of the committee of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club.

Mr O'Brien was born in Limerick, Ireland, and at an early age came to NZ with his parents, who settled in North Otago and took up the business of horse dealing. As a boy Mr O'Brien followed the calling of his father, but later joined the Permanent Attillery at Lyttelton, where he was stationed for nine years. Later he became one of the best known men in the licensed trade.

Mr O'Brien was always interested in horses, especially trotters, and many years ago he trained and drove in many of their races All Gold, The Limit, Rostrevor, John Peel, Manreva, Rosie McKinney, Pete Peter, Succory and General Derby. Associated with a fine horseman in A Pringle he won many races. Other horses he owned were Monopole, trained by R W Franks, Worthy Bingen, White Satin, Young Blake, Western Voyage and Prince Pointer, all trained by W J Tomkinson. He also owned a number of gallopers, including the consistent but unlucky Dictate, Winsome Boy, Grecian Prince, Helen Gold and Rebellion.

Mr O'Brien also took a keen interest in trotting administration and for two years he was president of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club and for many years a steward of the club. He was also a member of the Metropolitan Trotting Club and the Canterbury Jockey Club. His wife died four years ago, and he is survived by his son Mr Morgan O'Brien, of Christchurch, and a daughter, Mrs W J Doyle, of Leeston.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 5Dec45