Veteran horse trainer Bill Turner has died at the age of 78 following a serious accident at Scone Racecourse on Monday. Turner, who was based in Sigwells, Somerset, suffered a fractured skull in a fall and passed away on Thursday, his daughter Kathy confirmed.
Speaking at Chepstow racecourse, Kathy Turner told Sky Sports Racing: '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 was to run in dad's name in his honour. Whatever had happened he would have wanted that.'
Turner, a former jockey, became synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, winning the traditional first race of the Flat turf season six times. His last Brocklesby winner came in 2013, which held special significance as it was ridden by his grandson Ryan While.
Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, paid tribute: '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.'
Kathy Turner described her father as 'everyone's dad' and noted the overwhelming support from the racing community. 'The love that man had was absolute,' she said. 'He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops, but unfortunately it was a freak accident.'
