Bill Turner, a Brocklesby Stakes specialist and horse racing trainer, passes away at the age of 78 following a fall

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.

I had decided to come here when we received the call in the truck. In honor of Dad, the horse [Red Snapper] was to run in his name. Whatever had happened he would have wanted that.

He disappeared this morning. Everyone in the racing community has provided incredibly amazing support. I apologize if I haven’t responded to you or anyone else; I’ve attempted to respond to as many individuals as I could. That man’s love was unwavering.

He was everyone’s father, and many he has assisted in their professions viewed him as such. He wasn’t simply my father, my sister’s father, or Ryan’s grandfather. Although it was a freak accident, he would have wanted to have been running up the gallops.

“I’ve pulled him out from such serious injuries on the gallops, so I still can’t believe this injury has done this to him.” He was only refelting the roof of my sister’s salon last Sunday.

Turner’s final Brocklesby triumph in 2013 was Mick’s Yer Man, and it was very meaningful. “His greatest moment ever was when Ryan [While, his grandson] won the Brocklesby on Mick’s Yer Man,” Kathy Turner continued.

“Everyone at the British Horseracing Authority is deeply saddened by the news of Bill Turner’s death,” said Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the organization. My sympathies are with Bill’s family and friends, as well as with everyone who works at the yard, my coworkers at the BHA, and everyone else involved in the sport.

“Bill was an amazing pillar of our sport. We will especially miss his yearly runner in the Brocklesby Stakes, which he won an amazing six times. He put his entire being into racing, first as a jockey and later as a trainer.

“We will exert every effort to assist the yard during this extremely difficult time.”