Louise's Legacy

The LouLou Race Foundation was established in memory of Louise Bracken-Smith, a devoted wife, mum of four, business leader, and triathlon champion who lived in Jersey.

Meet Louise

Louise was born in Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland, the youngest of four children. The family moved to Liverpool when she was two years old, and Louise’s early years were spent in northern England. While she always considered Skerries her spiritual home, Liverpool was the city that Louise says taught her how to laugh. As a teenager, Louise moved with her parents to Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands.

She met her husband, Pete, through a mutual friend and was a proud and devoted mother to their four children, Harvey, Freddie, Max, and Georgie.

Louise was a trailblazer in international finance and co-founded the Fairway Group in 2020. As CEO from 2011 – 2021, she built the business to success with a hundred-strong team.

In her forties, while running a successful business and having her fourth child, Georgie, in 2014, Louise decided to combine her love for swimming, cycling, and running. She began competing in triathlon events, where she qualified for Great Britain and Ireland.

Louise always lived in the present. She was never one to worry about the distant future. Her advice to her children was always to focus on what could go right rather than everything that could go wrong.

You can learn more about Louise from an interview with her best friend, actress Sunetra Sarker

Check out the interview

Louise's Cancer Journey

Life-changing news

In January 2021, the family’s life changed forever when Louise was involved in a severe bike crash, breaking several ribs. During her recovery, her doctor noticed that some of Louise’s symptoms didn’t align and sent her for several more tests, and she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Overcoming the odds

By August 2021, Louise was declared cancer-free, and all her family were over the moon. Louise continued participating in multiple triathlons and races and qualified for a second time in triathlon for Great Britain and Ireland.

Louise was determined to chase her dreams. Sadly, Louise was once again diagnosed with cancer in June 2022. That’s when she and the family were informed it was incurable.

Despite this, Lousie found a reinvigorated passion for taking on the world and making the most of every moment. She ensured she continued to be present and cheer on her children at all their sporting tournaments.

“I remember I went on a 10k run with Mum and there’s a particularly steep hill in Jersey and Mum didn’t feel like she could run up it - that’s because she had cancer but didn’t know it.

She said I don’t want to stop, and she got into a mindset and got herself up the entire hill and completed the run.

This was how determined she was."

Freddie Bracken-Smith

Louise’s son

Sea swimming

Throughout her cancer journey, Louise’s resilience was inspiring. Every day, she would immerse herself in the cold waters of the sea and shout at the top of her lungs, ‘Come on, universe, heal me now’.

"We used to joke when we met up that she had already swam around Jersey twice that morning! She was unstoppable! She was always thinking about others. Even when she was very ill in the last few months of her life, she collected old rugby boots to be sent to help children in South Africa!

She was the ultimate sportswoman and also the ultimate mother and friend. She was such an inspiration. She would love for others to get a chance to access the sports that she was so passionate about."

Georgie Roberts

Louise’s friend

Appreciating life

Louise appreciated every single second of life and made the most of the last few months and days, no matter how tired, annoyed or ill she was. Her caring, loving, and competitive mentality always shone through.

"Louise could truly light up a room with her smile - her laugh was ridiculously infectious! Today, I sometimes sit and watch videos of her just so I can hear her laughing - she can still make me laugh - even from the other side.

Despite Lou being a very successful businesswoman, when I think of her, it is sports that always come to the forefront. It really was her true passion. It is so fitting that her legacy will help others succeed in sports"

Liz Marsden

Louise’s friend

Passing away

Louise passed away in July 2023. Testament to just how loved she was, 800 people attended her funeral on the island of Jersey.

The family

Sport and the Bracken-Smith Family

Louise’s mother played hockey for Ireland, while her two older brothers were professional rugby players, including world-cup-winning former rugby union player Kyran Bracken MBE, whom Louise considered her hero. After Louise’s cancer diagnosis, she created a podcast with Kyran called Kicking Cancer into Touch.

Read our interview with Kyran

Growing up, Louise was captain of the netball and hockey teams and ran cross-country. However, unlike her brothers, she didn’t get the opportunity to take her sporting achievements further in her youth.

All of Louise’s children exhibit sporting success, guided by the committed support of their family and school. Harvey is president of the rugby club at Duke University in North Carolina. Freddie debuted for the Premiership Rugby Under 18s League with the Saracens.

Max plays academy rugby, and her youngest daughter, Georgie, is active in youth tennis.

Mottos to live by

Louise had two lifelong mantras that she regularly shared in all her roles: as a wife, mum, business leader, and teammate. We aim to invoke these in our young athletes participating in the LouLou Race Foundation programme.

Be the best you can be

Louise believed that you should always try your best, no matter if you fail, as long as you try. You can always push yourself a little bit more, whether that’s through your sporting efforts or by extending kindness to others.

Control the controllables

Louise emphasised focusing on what you can control, dismissing the things you cannot control and focusing on those you can. This concept allows you to prioritise your actions and efforts around what you can influence.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard

Despite all her incredible achievements, Louise didn't necessarily consider herself talented. She believed that hard work was the main ingredient for success, which is why was always incredible humble when receiving compliments!

A Love for Jersey

"Louise could truly light up a room with her smile - her laugh was ridiculously infectious! Today, I sometimes sit and watch videos of her just so I can hear her laughing - she can still make me laugh - even from the other side.

‍Despite Lou being a very successful businesswoman, when I think of her, it is sports that always come to the forefront. It really was her true passion. It is so fitting that her legacy will help others succeed in sports"