Warwick Farm trainer Ian Finn has passed away after a short battle with illness, aged 63.
Finn was one of the longest-serving trainers at Warwick Farm where he spent most of his professional life.
He prepared some handy gallopers over the years including High Caste Lad (10 wins), multiple city winners Avion Fury and Bombardment, By Design and Highly Refined.
Finn’s last winner was with $101 outsider Lonely Rock at Wyong back in December. His final runner was Ostwind which ran unplaced at Queanbeyan last Sunday.
Richard Pegum, the chairman of the NSW Trainers Association, paid tribute to Finn who dedicated his life to racing.
“Ian Finn was a long-time member of the Trainers’ Association and a long-time trainer at Warwick Farm. Probably none of the present trainers have trained there longer,’’ Pegum said.
“Racing wasn’t easy for Finny, he never had a Winx or a topline horse, but he always had a few in work and nobody loved the racing game more.
“When one of his horses crossed the line first everybody at ‘the Farm’ was happy because there was no trainer more admired or loved. There would be no racing if it wasn’t for trainers like Ian Finn.’’
Finn is survived by wife, Julie, and their extended family. Funeral details are yet to be released.