Australian racing and breeding has lot one of its most enduring participants following the death of Beryl White, aged 88.
White was half of the combination responsible for the purple and white colours carried from Golden Slipper winners to Melbourne Cup placegetters across almost half-a-century, almost always by horses with seven letters in their name, alongside her husband Geoff, who died a decade ago.
The Whites involvement in racing started in 1974 and it was not long before they found themselves a yearling who would shape not only racing, but also breeding.
Marscay won the 1982 Golden Slipper and went on to become a legendary stallion at Widden Stud, producing a number of stars, including some of those most identifiable with the Whites’ colours.
Triscay and Eremein were both five-time Group 1 winning-products of Marscay who carried the white and purple, Yippyio won a Queensland Derby and Brisbane Cup when it was a Group 1 race and finished second in the 2000 Melbourne Cup, while Jetball won a Group 1 The Galaxy.
Marscay also sired Bint Marscay, who emulated her father and won a Golden Slipper, Epsom Handicap winner Excellerator and multiple Group 1 winners March Hare, Sharscay and Miss Margaret.
He was also renowned as a broodmare sire, in no small part due to the fact his daughter Circles of Gold was responsible for Elvstroem, Haradasun and Hveger, the dam of Highland Reel.
The Whites also raced Filante, a son of Star Way, who won an Epsom Handicap and Caulfield Stakes and finished narrow runner-up in two Cox Plates.
Racing New South Wales chief executive Peter V’landys paid tribute to the Whites following the news.
“Beryl and her husband Geoff were both major investors in the industry and among the nation’s largest owners,” said Mr Peter V’landys AM, Chief Executive of Racing NSW.
“Geoff and Beryl’s contribution was immense in so many ways and we will always be indebted to them.”
“Beryl’s passing marks the end of an era, and our thoughts are with Beryl’s family and friends.”
White is survived by her children Helen, Sue, Greg and Judy and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
