DEATH OF MR. MORAGHAN

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1935, Page 7

DEATH OF MR. MORAGHAN

KEEN INTEREST IN HORSES. The death of Mr. D. P. Moraghan, which took place at New Plymouth on Friday night after a long illness, breaks a long association with racing in both the North and South Islands. Mr. Moraghan, who was aged 65 years, was very highly esteemed by all connected with racing activities. All his life he had been very fond of horses, and particularly of jumpers, being in his early life a prominent steeplechase rider, noted for his fearlessness and integrity. Later he took up training, and in the late eighties and early nineties trained horses at Christchurch for the Canterbury sportsman Mr. D. Rutherford, for whom he won many important races, being associated with the Grand National successes of Faugh-a-Ballagh, Kulnine and Social Pest. Later Mr. Moraghan removed to Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, and in the latter district trained many horses for Mr. Fred Hall.

Since coming to Taranaki, where he has resided at New Plymouth and Urenui, he has met with considerable success as a trainer, Irapuka, owned by Messrs. Whittle and Tremlett, having perhaps been the best known performer to pass through his hands. He maintained his interest in horses to the last, having of late years been a keen supporter of the Taranaki Hunt Club. The funeral, which took place at Te Henui cemetery, was largely attended, and a number of floral tributes gave further evidence of the esteem in which he was held. The services at the graveside and previously at St. Joseph’s Church were conducted by the Rev. Father Minogue, assisted by the Rev. Father Barr-Brown.