Vale, Michael Daly

Media Release - Sunday December 6

Popular South Canterbury horseman Michael Daly passed away on Friday afternoon just minutes before quality sprinter Don Carlo tried to provide his former mentor with a final win at Riccarton.

Michael Daly

Daly had suffered a stroke when riding trackwork in late October with complications from the episode leading to his hospitalisation with a meningitis infection that ultimately led to his untimely death.

Daly, who operated a small but competitive stable from his Timaru base, had had a number of quality horses through his hands over his twenty eight year training career including nine race winner Turf Fire, Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner Belmont Cat  and more recently the stakes placed Don Carlo, who won eight races for him.

Experienced South Island jockey Kylie Williams rode her first winner on the Daly-trained Special Kay and formed a potent combination with him that produced over fourty of his 162 training successes.

Williams remembers their relationship with real fondness although she quickly learnt that Daly wasn’t a man to mix his words if he felt strongly about a subject.

“I rode a lot of winners for Michael including five on Turf Fire and another five on her son, Don Carlo,” Williams said.

“My first winner as an apprentice was on Special Kay for him back in 1997 and we just sort of went on from there.

“He was always really good with booking apprentices and female riders and he was very loyal to me.

“He didn’t mince words though and if you pissed him off, he would let you know about it.

Advertisement

“He was the grumpy one at the Timaru track at times and I would always be up front with him which I think he respected.”

Williams appreciated Daly’s qualities with the horses he trained but also the selflessness he showed to friends and family and especially children.

“I managed to go and see him last Wednesday and said what I needed to say to him,” she said.

“He passed away at 5:40pm on Friday, just nine minutes before Don Carlo raced so he tried to hang on for him but unfortunately he couldn’t quite make it.

“In the hospital he had a sign above his bed that read “Hi I’m Michael Daly and I love horses, my children and grandchildren”.

“He just loved his kids and grandkids as well as the kids of people who worked for him. It was nothing for him to take the staff’s kids for them for a day when they needed a break or time out.

“He didn’t believe in swearing in front of them and whenever he rang me, he would always make sure mine weren’t around before he let loose on something.”

Daly is survived by his three children, Alesha, Scott and Zoe and their families. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Friday August 1
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 2
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.