"Jonathan Portman honors Bill Turner, acknowledging his influence, following the acquisition of Box Clever at a bargain price"
Bill Turner, the Racing Genius Who Found Horses for a Song, Passes Away
Bill Turner, a renowned British racehorse trainer known for his ability to find hidden gems among inexpensive two-year-old horses, has passed away at the age of 78. Turner's death followed a tragic accident at his home, where he fractured his skull after being knocked over by a horse.
Turner, who was based in Sigwells, Somerset, was a former jockey and gained national attention for his training prowess. He was especially famous for his association with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, a traditional early-season race for juveniles on the flat turf, which he won six times, including most recently with Mick’s Yer Man in 2013.
Beyond conventional horses, Turner gained national attention for an unusual feat involving a young zebra named Zebedee, which he bought for £4,500 in 2009 from a wildlife park. He broke and trained the zebra, even riding it to his local pub, an accomplishment notable because zebras are notoriously difficult to train compared to horses due to their flighty and unpredictable nature.
In the racing world, Turner was highly respected not only for his training prowess but also for his generosity in mentoring others in the industry, with many regarding him as a father figure.
Recently, Turner's methods have been emulated by Jonathan Portman and others. One of Turner's latest discoveries, "Box Clever," purchased for £3,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, made its third racing appearance in a 7f fillies' maiden race. Trained by Portman, "Box Clever" was sent off the even-money favourite at Lingfield but managed only fourth.
However, luck favoured another of Turner's discoveries, Slipper Time, trained by Henry Candy. Slipper Time, which finished third on its debut here in June, won its first race in a 7f novice at the same track where it debuted previously, with jockey Rhys Clutterbuck in the saddle. The race was won by Rob Hornby.
In the same race, Aspull, ridden by Rossa Ryan, finished second, losing to Slipper Time by a neck. Ryan and Beckett successfully combined again in the feature 1m4f fillies' handicap with Favourable Memory.
Meanwhile, Pintara, a half-sister to recent Glorious Goodwood-placed Oxford Comma, won its debut race. Rossa Ryan also steered Ralph Beckett's debutante Pintara to victory in the following mile fillies' novice race.
A stewards' inquiry was held into potential interference by the winner of the same race, but the placings remained unaltered.
As the racing community mourns the loss of Bill Turner, his legacy continues to inspire others in the industry to seek out hidden talents and nurture them to success.
[1] BBC News [2] Racing Post [3] The Guardian [4] Sky Sports
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