Killarney Race Company has led tributes to Dermot Ivo O’ Sullivan who passed away this week.

Ivo was an integral part of Killarney Race Company for over 50 years both as a dedicated board member and chairman.

Ivo was first proposed to the board of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee in the early ‘80s and held the position of Senior National Hunt Steward within the Turf Club.

As a long-standing member, he was visionary and instrumental in forming many valuable Committees within the National Hunt and Turf Club. Ivo’s wife Kay owned Roman Bar that ran in the Aintree Grand National in 1976 and 1977 trained by the couple’s lifelong friend Pat Taaffe.

Ivo also played an instrumental role in the formation of the Killarney Racegoers Club and invited like-minded individuals to join the board at Killarney Race Company, which has ultimately played a major role in the development of the company and how it operates today.

Ivo was very proud of his association with Killarney Race Company and was the driver of major advancements within the Company. He was held in the highest regard within the racing industry which paved the way in building long-standing relationships that supported the growth and development of Killarney Race Company DAC.

In later years Ivo would have visited daily with his dog Remi walking his beloved Racecourse and Ross golf, while keeping a keen eye on the track and hurdles built by his friend Dan O’ Donoghue and team.

Chairman Billy O’Sullivan on behalf of fellow Directors, Management and Staff would sincerely like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and thank them for providing a wonderful inspiring leader, colleague and great friend who has left a long-lasting legacy within Killarney Race Company.