Ken ‘Tubby’ Turner dies aged 81

Clinton Payne - Tuesday August 14

One of racing's great characters, Ken 'Tubby' Turner, has passed away aged 81.

Ken 'Tubby' Turner dies aged 81 Ken 'Tubby' Turner with Just Awesome.Turner's partner Francis Rogers informed Racenet that Turner lost his battle with heart disease on Thursdaylast week.

He began his trainer career in Queensland before moving to Randwick then moved back to Queensland later in life andran Alma Vale Stud.

During his training career Turner put the polish on classy gallopers Lion Hunter and Just Awesome but it was the breeding industry where he left his great mark.

"Lion Hunter would have pulled a cart and beat Just Awesome," Turner told Max Presnell of Fairfax in 2002.

"Lion Hunter broke the track record of Chief De Beers around Doomben and you know how good Chief De Beers was at Doomben."

Advertisement

Lion Hunter stood at Alma Vale Stud where Turner bred the likes of Star Witness and Nostradamus, both stakes-winning stallions out of Turner's former top stakes-winning mare Leone Chiara, whose dam Chiara also produced stakes-winningbrother and sister, Ferocity and Chinchilla Rose.

Turner is survived by his partner Francis Rogers and his six children, Anita, Kurt, Kristie, Michelle, Melissa and Shaun as well as three grand children.

The funeral service for Ken Tubby Turner will be held at 1pm next Monday, August 20 at the Pinnaroo Cemetery, Bridgeman Downs.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Wootton Bassett Juvenile G2 Double
Wootton Bassett (GB) featured in Ireland overnight at The Curragh with two stakes-winning juveniles, Constitution River taking out the the Group II Futurity (7f), while the Group II Debutante (7f) went to the filly Composing, who comes from the family of Amelia’s Jewel.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Widden Parade Braves the Rain
Widden Stud’s annual series of stallion parades in the ‘Valley of Champions’ kicked off as scheduled on Thursday with the reigning Champion Australian Sire Zoustar the centre of attention, while the world’s fastest horse Cogburn (USA) also made his debut in Australia.
Second Stakes-winner for Palace Pier
Kingman’s champion son Palace Pier (GB) only shuttled for one season to Darley Australia with his first 2YO’s to race here this season and in Europe he’s doing a pretty good job with his second stakes-winner emerging overnight at York.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.
Future Bright for Danica Guy
Group Three winner Lupo Solitario has returned to New Zealand, and the care of his former trainer Danica Guy, following a six-month racing stint in Hong Kong, while the stable are also excited about a first starter this weekend by Justify (USA).
€1.85million Sale-Topping Frankel Filly Now Triple G1 Oaks Winner for Coolmore
Already a winner of the Group I Epsom Oaks and Irish Oaks, expensive blueblood Frankel filly made it a treble of G1 Oaks races when landing the Group I Yorkshire Oaks (1m4f) overnight.