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The body of 21-year-old apprentice Timmy Houlihan, hanging from a tree in a wooded area near his apartment in Kildare, was discovered by workers at 8 a.m. on November 11, 2003.
The body of 21-year-old apprentice Timmy Houlihan, hanging from a tree in a wooded area near his apartment in Kildare, was discovered by workers at 8 a.m. on November 11, 2003.
A Garda spokesman said that no foul play was suspected.
A Garda spokesman said that no foul play was suspected.
Timmy's death, following the shocking loss of weighing-room colleague Sean Cleary a month earlier (Sean had failed to recover from injuries sustained in fall at Galway) and the tragic fall at Kibeggan which had killed Kieran Kelly, left the Irish racing community reeling.
Timmy's death, following the shocking loss of weighing-room colleague Sean Cleary a month earlier (Sean had failed to recover from injuries sustained in fall at Galway) and the tragic fall at Kibeggan which had killed Kieran Kelly, left the Irish racing community reeling.
The quietly spoken Timmy had started his career with Liam Browne: he then joined Pat Flynn to record his biggest success at the 2002 Galway Festival when winning the (then listed) McDonogh Handicap aboard Vinthea for Curragh trainer James Burn. This victory was the highlight of his best season, which saw him notch up 18 winners.
The quietly spoken Timmy had started his career with Liam Browne: he then joined Pat Flynn to record his biggest success at the 2002 Galway Festival when winning the (then listed) McDonogh Handicap aboard Vinthea for Curragh trainer James Burn. This victory was the highlight of his best season, which saw him notch up 18 winners.
The young jockey, from Killorglin, Co Kerry, rode his first winner (Robazala at the Tralee Festival in August, 1998) for Patrickswell trainer Michael Hourigan, who described the diminutive rider as 'no bigger than a can of coke'.
The young jockey, from Killorglin, Co Kerry, rode his first winner (Robazala at the Tralee Festival in August, 1998) for Patrickswell trainer Michael Hourigan, who described the diminutive rider as 'no bigger than a can of coke'.
One big race success that came Timmy's way was a narrow win on the Paddy Mullins-trained Bob What in the Guinness Gold Cup some twelve months after that initial victory.
One big race success that came Timmy's way was a narrow win on the Paddy Mullins-trained Bob What in the Guinness Gold Cup some twelve months after that initial victory.
Timmy twice rode the winner of the November Handicap at Leopardstown: the Willie Mullins-trained Tryphaena in 1999 and Calladine for Christy Roche in 2001. He also rode Doran's Pride on the Flat.
Timmy twice rode the winner of the November Handicap at Leopardstown: the Willie Mullins-trained Tryphaena in 1999 and Calladine for Christy Roche in 2001. He also rode Doran's Pride on the Flat.
In all, Timmy rode over 60 winners including several in Dubai, where he spent most winters.
In all, Timmy rode over 60 winners including several in Dubai, where he spent most winters.
His last winner was Little Whisper, which he rode for Con Collins at Down Royal on September 27, 2003.
His last winner was Little Whisper, which he rode for Con Collins at Down Royal on September 27, 2003.
A minute's silence was observed at Fairyhouse shortly after Timmy's death. The apprentice awards for 2003 - due to be held at Barbarstown Castle in Straffan on November 14 - were postponed.
A minute's silence was observed at Fairyhouse shortly after Timmy's death. The apprentice awards for 2003 - due to be held at Barbarstown Castle in Straffan on November 14 - were postponed.
Timmy was survived by his parents Jerry and Doreen, four brothers and two sisters.
Timmy was survived by his parents Jerry and Doreen, four brothers and two sisters.
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