Four time Group 1 winning trainer Robbie Laing has sadly passed away overnight.
Described by colleague Gavin Bedggood as “an unconventional man”, Laing seemed to be just that but, overall, a racing man through and through.
Laing followed his father Eddie into training after a short career in the saddle and counted among his successes on the flat the Victoria Derby with Polanski, South Australian Derby, Australian Cup and numerous country cups.
Arguably it was jumps racing was where he flourished most with four wins in the Australian Steeplechase, together with victories in the Australian Hurdle, numerous Grand National Hurdles, Grand National Steeplechase, and the Grand Annual Steeplechase.
Though staying features counted significantly in his success, Laing had a knack for finding a good two-year-old and was on the winners’ list through the Melbourne Cup Carnival winning early juvenile events including the Maribyrnong Plate.
Laing spent time away from training as a result of financial difficulties for much of the past decade but returned with a level of comfort in his own ability to train winners again.
“He was a great historian with unbelievable passion for his roots,” Australian Trainers’ Association President Robbie Griffiths said.
“A colourful and resilient character who was never short of a story to tell.”
Laing is survived by his eight children including Jack and Aaron who have training licences of their own in Victoria.
Laing trained his first winner in 1992 (Silver Showman) winning four Group 1’s and recording a total of 930 winners throughout his training career with his horses in training amassing over $32 million in total earnings.
Tributes have started to be posted online from respected racing personalities following the news.