“Absolute Gentleman” Breeder John Connaughton Dies Aged 93

John Connaughton, the hotel owner who bred Group 1 winner Bay City Roller as well as the Group 3 scorer Dunboyne Express, has died almost exactly a year after he was crowned small breeder of the year at the ITBA Awards. He was 93.

Connaughton enjoyed a lifetime of success in business and bloodstock. Dunboyne Express was one of the first big names that shot to prominence for the County Westmeath man while Bay City Roller provided Connaughton with a breakthrough Group 1 success as a breeder when landing a top-level triumph for George Scott in Germany last November.

Tom Whelan consigned the majority of Connaughton's stock at the sales, including Bay City Roller, who sold for €320,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2023. 

“He was an absolute gentleman,” Whelan said. “John was a very good breeder and was able to take the rough with the smooth. He was a pleasure to deal with down through the years and enjoyed a lot of success. Most importantly, he was just a gentleman and it was a pleasure to have known him.”

Connaughton owned the Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar. He was also one of the first people to import the Simmental cattle breed into Ireland over 60 years ago.

But it was his achievements in bloodstock that rightly grabbed the headlines when Connaughton was honoured at the ITBA Awards 12 months ago.

“It [the award] meant a great lot to me,” Connaughton told TDN Europe in a follow-up interview after the awards. “Any time we bred a good one, it meant a lot to me, but it's not that easy to breed a good one.”

A statement released by the Bloomfield House Hotel last week read, “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of John Connaughton's passing, proprietor of Bloomfield House Hotel, Leisure Club and Spa, and beloved father of our colleagues Liz [director] and Julie.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to all the Connaughton family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn the loss of a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. May John rest in peace.”