Bill Turner, the renowned horse racing trainer famous for his dominance in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, has died at the age of 78 following a serious accident on Monday. Turner, who was based in Sigwells, Somerset, suffered a fractured skull in a fall and passed away on Thursday afternoon, his daughter Kathy confirmed.
Speaking at Chepstow racecourse, Kathy Turner said: “Dad passed away about an hour and a half ago. We got the call in the lorry. I’d made the decision to come here. The horse [Red Snapper] was to run in dad’s name in his honour. Whatever had happened he would have wanted that.” She added that her father slipped away that morning, and praised the support from the racing community.
A former jockey, Turner became synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes, the traditional first race of the Flat turf season, which he won an impressive six times. His last victory came in 2013, a particularly special win as it was ridden by his grandson, Ryan While, on Mick’s Yer Man. Kathy Turner described that moment as his best ever.
Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, paid tribute: “Everybody at the BHA is deeply saddened by the news of Bill Turner’s death. Bill was a wonderful stalwart of our sport. He poured his heart and soul into racing, both as a jockey and then a trainer, and we will particularly miss his annual runner in the Brocklesby Stakes, which he won an impressive six times.”
