The trainer Bill Turner has died aged 78 after having a serious accidenton Monday. Turner, who was based in Sigwells in Somerset, was a former jockey and as a trainer became synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, having won the traditional first race of the Flat turf season six times.
He had been in a serious condition in hospital after reportedly fracturing his skull in a fall and his daughter, Kathy, announced his death on Thursday afternoon. Speaking at Chepstow racecourse, she 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 [Red Snapper] was to run in dad’s name in his honour, whatever had happened he would have wanted that.
“He slipped away this morning. The support from everyone in racing has been absolutely outstanding. I’ve tried to reply to as many people as I could, but I am so sorry if I haven’t replied to you or someone else. The love that man had was absolute.
“He wasn’t just my dad and my sister’s dad and Ryan’s grandfather, he was everyone’s dad and the people who he has helped in their careers saw him as a dad. He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops but unfortunately it was a freak accident.
“I still can’t get round that this injury has done this to him, as I’ve pulled him out from such serious injuries on the gallops. Only last Sunday he was refelting my sister’s salon roof.”
Mick’s Yer Man was Turner’s last Brocklesby winner in 2013 and that victory held special significance. Kathy Turner added: “His best ever moment was when Ryan [While, his grandson] won the Brocklesby on Mick’s Yer Man .”
Brant Dushea, the British Horseracing Authority’s chief executive, said: “Everybody at the BHA is deeply saddened by the news of Bill Turner’s death. My thoughts, along with my colleagues at the BHA and everyone involved in the sport, are with Bill’s family and friends, as well as everyone who works at the yard.
“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.
“We will do everything we can to support the yard during this incredibly challenging period.”