Lecky Watson pays a visit to his spiritual home
Cheltenham winner Lecky Watson pictured with the jubilant Slaneyville Syndicate – Lar Byrne, his wife Majella, sister Elisha, brothers Joe Pat, John, Ger, Bernard Michael, and brother-in-law PJ Murphy – and John Watson (cousin of the late Corona North), Robin Harvey and grooms Bríd O'Keeffe and Brendan Kenny Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
A HORSE standing proudly in front of Altamont House was certainly a reminder of bygone days – but never before had the historic house welcomed a Cheltenham champion bearing a very fitting name!
Last week, history came full circle when a ‘Lecky Watson’ returned to Altamont in the form of the Brown Advisory Novices Chase Grade 1 winner at this year’s Cheltenham Festival. The wonderful horse Lecky Watson glistened in glorious sunshine outside the great house, once owned by his namesake, the Lecky Watson family.
Lecky Watson enjoyed a walk around the lawn while taking in his surrounds, as passers-by admired and appreciated the significance of his visit. The prize-winner looked much at home standing proudly in front of the entrance to the manor surrounded by well-wishers.
“The Lecky Watson family were horsey people so it wasn’t the first time a horse walked up the drive here, but probably not a Cheltenham champion,” smiled Dan O’Connor, a guide at Altamont.
“It was a lovely day and great to have him here. He was very relaxed,” added Dan.
Dan explained that members of the Byrne family – Alicia and Ger – were visiting Altamont some months back and they got talking about the significance of the horse to Altamont and the prospect of the horse ‘coming home’. With the permission of Lecky Watson’s trainer Willie Mullins, Lecky Watson finally paid a visit last week.
In 1923, Feilding Lecky Watson and his family, wife Isobel and daughters Diana and Corona moved temporarily to Altamont, where they quickly fell in love with the house and gardens at Altamont and subsequently bought the property in 1929. Corona married Gary North and remained living at Altamont until her death in 1999. In her will, she bequeathed the house and gardens to the state to be enjoyed by future generations.
Lecky Watson is owned by the Slaneyville syndicate, comprised of members of the Byrne family from Tullow. The Byrne family were also owners of another Cheltenham winner, the legendary Hardy Eustace, so in keeping with their tradition of naming their horses after Co Carlow’s gentry, Lecky Watson bears his distinctive name.
“Previous generations of the Byrne family would have actually done business with the Lecky Watsons in Tullow, so they knew each other,” said Dan.
Altamont Gardens is currently open from 9am to 6.30pm daily, with lots of special events held there, including a bat walk on 28 May. Check out Facebook for more details of upcoming events.
