Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
THE consummate horseman, champion trainer and a true gentleman.
These were the recurring themes from shocked trainers and jockeys trying to come to terms with the passing of Guy Walter on Thursday.
Walter, 59, died of a massive heart attack just after trackwork, plunging the Australian racing industry into mourning. His death was all the more difficult to comprehend as Walter was training at the peak of his powers, claiming his 36th Group 1 win with Streama in last week's Doomben Cup.
Walter's training record is extraordinary. He trained nearly 2000 winners, including 132 stakes wins, and prepared a string of outstanding racehorses, most notably champion and 13-time Group 1 winner Tie The Knot, as well as Defier, Spinning Hill, Patezza, Court's In Session, Danni Martine, Republic Lass, Wild Iris, Skyerush, Appearance and Streama.
In 2005 he prepared a famous Doncaster Handicap trifecta when Patezza defeated Court's In Session and Danni Martine.
But even these incredible statistics are not the true measure of the man.
"It is not fair, mate,'' said Clarry Conners, who has trained alongside Walter at Warwick Farm for three decades.
"Guy was a wonderful bloke, he got on with everyone and was a great mate to all of us out here at Warwick Farm.''
Fellow trainer Peter Snowden was shattered after learning of Walter's passing. "I've known him for what seems like a lifetime and he was an absolute gentleman, an ornament to the game,'' Snowden said.
"He loved what he did, he had a very good work ethic and he was a great trainer. This is such a shock, I can't believe it.''
Hall of Fame trainers John Hawkes and Gai Waterhouse also spoke in reverential tones.
Trainer Guy Walter with Streama. Source: News Corp Australia
"Guy was a very laid-back sort of bloke, he never got overawed,'' said Hawkes. "As a trainer they don't come any better. This is a tragedy, as simple as that.''
Waterhouse described Walter as a "lovely man, polite and humble''.
"My thoughts go out to his wife Wendy — this is so terribly sad,'' she said.
Rod Craig trained alongside Walter for three decades at Warwick Farm and was also having difficulty coming to terms with the tragedy.
"Guy is an easy person to talk about because he was one of the best blokes at Warwick Farm and in racing,'' Craig said.
"He was just a beautiful man. He is not a person that can be replaced. How come this only happens to good people?
"We are still trying to get over Nathan (Berry) and this is just as big a hit. But we have been blessed to have them both.''
Trainer Gary Portelli spoke to Walter during Warwick Farm trackwork yesterday and said there was no sign of anything untoward.
"It is a tremendous shock to everyone,'' Portelli said.
"As a trainer he was one of the best I have ever seen. He was very methodical and a freak at getting ordinary horses to win races.
"He was a very passionate racing person and this is a terrible day.''
Blake Shinn, who did the bulk of stable riding for Walter and won the Doomben Cup on Streama last Saturday, described the trainer as "nature's kindest gentleman''.
"To be called his stable jockey was an honour. He was like a father to me and I'll miss him dearly," he posted on social media.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys described Walter as a wonderful trainer and human being.
"It's absolutely tragic," Mr V'landys said. "He was just a kind, human soul. Guy was a man of the highest integrity and professionalism and a wonderful role model for the racing industry."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Walter death leaves industry in shock
Dengan url
http://sportfoxer.blogspot.com/2014/05/walter-death-leaves-industry-in-shock.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Walter death leaves industry in shock
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Walter death leaves industry in shock
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar