Jilly Cooper, who has died at the age of 88, loved going to racing stables and courses while she was writing her novels. The Queen said the much-loved author was “wonderfully witty and compassionate”
Several horse racing trainers have paid tribute to best-selling author Dame Jilly Cooper, who has died at the age of 88.
Gloucestershire-based Richard Phillips and Tom George knew the locally-based writer of 18 novels including Riders and Rivals. Cooper, who passed away on Sunday morning after a fall, was a fan of both the flat and National Hunt codes – and spent time at stables and racecourses to gain inspiration for her work.
She was a member of the Thoroughbred Ladies syndicate at George’s yard, which had runners between 2004 and 2015, while she also had horses with Phillips who said in his daily blog: “Very sad news that Dame Jilly Cooper has died.
“Jilly was a great friend and supporter who was full of love for people and animals. From having shares in syndicates with us, to visiting with her great friend and owner Lizzie Prowting – together we have had so many special times.
READ MORE: Constitution Hill rider’s winning comeback six months after neck and back fracturesREAD MORE: ‘Britain’s unluckiest punter’ relives bizarre moment which cost him £330,000 in winnings
“I first met her when she wrote ‘Jump’ – a novel about jump racing, when I was privileged to be asked to advise her. Not only did I get a mention in the credits, along with Jo who proof read the copy but I actually had a mention in the book itself. Also delighted to have been one of Jilly’s pin ups in an article in ‘Oldie’ magazine and mentioned along with Andrew Parker-Bowles, Paul O’Grady, Sean Connery and Virgil van Dijk.
“Jilly will be sadly missed by millions and especially her family and many many friends. Such love, humour and talent is rare and our thoughts and prayers are with her children Felix and Emily and all her loving family.”
Cooper lived in the small village of Bisley, a short distance away from George’s thoroughbred training business.
With other syndicate members, she celebrated the three steeplechasing successes of Island Flyer, while Seafield Bogie was another to reach the winners’ enclosure on multiple occasions, including at Towcester, which closed in 2019.
Cooper’s novel Jump , which sold sold 125,000 copies in hardback, was based on a group of owners racing a one-eyed horse at meetings including the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National, while Mount had a flat racing theme.
“When Jilly wanted to get involved and learn about racing more for her book, that was when we got to know her better, and we saw a lot of her for that period, which was great fun,” George told the Racing Post.
He added: “She was always looking behind things to find out more and, when she did find out, it would appear somewhere unexpected in her writing, and you’d know that’s why she was asking about it. She was tremendous fun.”
Former editor of the publication, Bruce Millington, said Cooper always remembered him at Christmas after they met through the sport.
He wrote on X: “Jilly Cooper was so lovely. This was a picture she gave me for inviting her to the RP box at Cheltenham. An unlikely but much appreciated little aspect of my life was she’d send me an advent calendar every year for reasons I never understood but did not care to question.”
In 2021 a horse in training with her friend Mark Johnston was named Jilly Cooper, a filly successful on her second outing at Hamilton.
“I’ve always loved racing,” Cooper said in an interview with Over the stable door.
“I think the racehorse is the most beautiful heroic animal in the world, particularly when it’s galloping. Plus, I love the excitement, and the competition, and the relationship between stable staff, trainers and owners.”