Riverina great Richard Freyer dies at 69

AAP - Monday August 7

Champion Riverina trainer Richard Freyer has died aged 69 after a long illness.

Advertisement
Photo: Darryl Sherer

A licensed trainer for 47 years and the winner of 16 successive NSW Southern Districts premierships, Freyer was more widely known for the deeds of Leica Falcon, the one-time favourite for the 2006 Melbourne Cup.

"Richard was a prolific Cup winner and won eight Albury Cups, 12 Corowa Cups, 10 Berrigan Cups and a National Sprint in Canberra with Prince Tone," SDRA chairman of stewards John Davidson said.

A Group Two winner of the Winning Edge Presentation Stakes, Leica Falcon finished an unlucky fifth in the 2005 Caulfield Cup and went on to run fourth in the Melbourne Cup won by Makybe Diva.

In the lead-up to the Melbourne Cup, Freyer told the ABC's 7.30 Report the whole community was right behind them.

"When we went to the Cup there were people on the side of the road waving to us wishing us good luck as we drove from the stables through the town," Freyer said.

Leica Falcon suffered a tendon injury before the 2006 Cup and the following year was stranded in his Corowa stable when equine influenza stopped NSW horses travelling to Victoria.

Freyer's last winner was Autocrat at Narrandera on July 23.

He is survived by his daughter Kylie and son Rick who is also a trainer.

His funeral service will be held at St John's Church in Corowa at 11am on Saturday.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Day 1 Tattersalls July - Humam Top Seller 190,000 guineas
The opening day of the Tattersalls July Sale saw solid trade headed by the Kingsclere Training Stables consigned HUMAM at 190,000 guineas, one of six lots to realise over 100,000 guineas. A typically international buying bench saw purchasers from France, Libya, Qatar and the UAE as well as Great Britain and Ireland represented in the day’s top ten lots.
Two powerful additions announced for Equate 2025
The countdown to Equate '25 just got even more exciting. Australasia's number one innovation event for the thoroughbred industry has announced two brand-new sessions that bring together transparency, technology, and tangible takeaways for all attendees.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 10
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bloodstockauction 2025 Stallion Cover Charity Auction
Bloodstockauction Stallion Cover Charity Auction is on again this year seeking to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 8
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Sprinter Crocetti Returns to Work
Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has returned to Danny Walker and Arron Tata’s Byerley Park stable with some lofty summer targets in-mind.
Sebring Sun Delivers for Owner Breeders
The legacy of Sebring was highlighted last month when his classy daughter Tashi won the Group I Tatts Tiara and for fans of the much missed Golden Slipper winning sire he does have several sons at stud and they include Glenthorne Park Stud’s Sebring Sun, whose winner to runner strike rate is brushing 70%.
Pencarrow takes top billing in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Pencarrow Stud’s select offering of four broodmares proved to be the star attraction in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday, earning the two highest prices of the sale.
Debut Win for Expensive Capitalist 2YO
An $800,000 Magic Millions purchase from Attunga Stud for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Capitalist colt Caesar was the highest priced yearling by his sire sold in 2024 and made a winning debut at Gosford on Thursday.
FBT Exempt Vehicles and The Private Use Trap
Dealing with the complex Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) is one of the many financial challenges that regional breeding and racing operations must face. Any relief from this tax is very welcome!