Former studmaster and trainer Sam Brosnan has passed away aged 99.

Brosnan, father of successful trainers Mark, Peter and Maryann Brosnan, trained a host of winners from their former Oaklands Stud base.

Brosnan stood a number of successful stallions including Palm Beach, Belmura, St Puckle and Neanderthal, the latter sire of 13-time winner Our Countess, placed in both the New Zealand and Wellington Cups and dam of Great Northern Hurdle winner Star Count.

Our Countess was also the grand dam of 2011 Great Northern Hurdle winner Southern Countess who was trained by Peter Brosnan for Sam and his late wife Marj.

St Puckle was the sire of Lloyd Williams’ first Melbourne Cup winner What A Nuisance, in addition to Group One winners Oopik and Kenann.

Brosnan was noted as a trainer of jumpers, while he also trained Lady Sue to win the Gr.2 Avondale Championship Stakes.

A service to celebrate the life of Brosnan will be held in the Rosa Chapel in Matamata on Thursday at 1:30 pm.