Bill Turner, the renowned horse racing trainer and former jockey, has died at the age of 78 following a serious accident on Monday. Turner, who was based in Sigwells, Somerset, fractured his skull in a fall and had been in a critical condition in hospital before his death was announced by his daughter, Kathy, on Thursday afternoon.
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. He slipped away this morning. The support from everyone in racing has been absolutely outstanding.” She added that Turner would have wanted her to run the horse Red Snapper in his honour, as planned.
Turner was best known for his association with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, the traditional first race of the Flat turf season, which he won six times. His final victory came in 2013 with Mick’s Yer Man, ridden by his grandson Ryan While, which Kathy described as his best ever moment.
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, which he won an impressive six times.”
