FORMER Bermuda resident and champion racehorse breeder John Silvertand died on Sunday after suffering from a lengthy bout with cancer.Mr. Silvertand, who lived in Bermuda from 1971 to 1984 and married a Bermudian with whom he had two daughters, was the breeder of Afleet Alex who almost managed to win the fabled Triple Crown in 2005.

The horse was third in the first leg — the Kentucky Derby — but won both the second and third legs, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Mr. Silvertand's good friend, former WOW owner Gavin Wilson, said although everyone knew Mr. Silvertand's days were numbered, it was still a very sad day when the 62-year-old passed away in hospital near his current home of West Palm Beach.

"He was a lovely guy and a great friend. He was a popular resident when he lived here and had an infectious personality," said Mr. Wilson who will be flying to West Palm Beach soon for the memorial service on January 20.

"John was a courageous man. When he found out he had cancer he said, 'I am going to fight it for as long as I can' — and he did.

"He was supposed to be dead four years ago but he told his doctors, 'I've got news for you'. That was typical of the man."

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Mr. Wilson said he had been down to see Mr. Silvertand "a half dozen times" over the recent months. "I just went down to cheer him up and hang out with him. Unfortunately you would stand there (by his bedside) and there was nothing you could do. I last saw him in early December."

Mr. Wilson first met his friend in 1968 when Mr. Silvertand was flying for the Royal Air Force and regularly stopped in Bermuda.

Later he became Mr. Silvertand's best man when he married his first wife, Bermudian Beatrice Massey.

Since that first meeting in the early hours of the morning at the bar of the New Clayhouse Inn, the two enjoyed many good times both in Bermuda and abroad. Mr. Silvertand later went on to become the sales manager of Burrows Lightbourne.

One of the best times the two had together was in 2005 when Mr. Wilson, his wife Linda and their then eight-year-old daughter Jessie, were invited to watch Afleet Alex run in the third race of the Triple Crown at Belmont Park, New York.

Young Jessie said that watching from the owner's box as Afleet Alex romped to victory was one of the her most exciting days.

"The crowd were all shouting, 'Here we go Alex, here we go'," Jessie said at the time. "No one was shouting any other horse's name.

"Alex came from ninth to fourth, then to first, then to second and then back to first. When he won, I was screaming and screaming. I thought I was going to have a heart attack!"

But it was the second race of the Triple Crown at Pimlico which was the most exciting.

Afleet Alex appeared to be in good position to win the Preakness when he clipped heels with Scrappy T, nearly fell to his knees, then produced one of the most dramatic moments in horse racing history.

Afleet Alex quickly rose and romped to a 43/4-length victory.

"The horse has kept me going," said the cancer-ridden Mr. Silvertand said at the time.

Mr. Silvertand also was one of the organisers who brought the Bermuda Hockey Festival to Bermuda. The festival featured numerous overseas teams and was held during the Spring.

He played for Chameleons here and was also president of the Bermuda Hockey Association for a number of years.

Accountant David Pethen, who played hockey with Mr. Silvertand in Bermuda, said this week: "John was a man of vision and courage and a born leader.

"His friends saw an abundant wit and easy social disposition. John's courage during his illness and complete lack of self pity helped both him and his friends to deal with the situation. We will all miss a true friend."

Interviewed during Afleet Alex's triple Crown run in 2005, Mr. Silvertand said of his life in Bermuda: "I loved living in Bermuda — it was very exciting. Bermuda was a great place to be in the 1970s and '80s. My two daughters, Jennifer and Gill were born there and attended the Bermuda High School for Girls.

Mr. Silvertand was married twice — first to Beatrice Massey and then to his second wife, American Carolyn, who was by his side on Sunday.

Mr. Wilson said: "His wife Carolyn is a real stalwart — she supported him all the time and she is a brave lady. She was devoted to John and so in love with him as is their adopted Romanian daughter Lauren, who is now 14. It really is a common tale of human tragedy faced with uncommon dignity and courage by the entire family."