Harness racing industry mourns death of top trainer Ron Pocock

THE Bendigo harness racing community is mourning the death of award winning trainer Ron Pocock.Pocock, the 2005 Harness Racing Victoria Gordon Rothacker Medallist, passed away on Sunday, aged 84.He was actively participating in racing at Lord’s Raceway last year, but a recent illness prevented him from continuing in the sport that was his life. A champion trainer, Pocock was the fourth recipient of harness racing’s highest award following Ian McCallum (2002), Geoff Hill (2003) and Jim Barker (2004) on the honour roll. Pocock provided exemplary service to the harness racing industry for more than 60 years. The astute and highly respected horseman fulfilled many roles during his career, but was best recognised for his breeding and training achievements. For more than 50 years Pocock nurtured and developed one of the state’s most successful standardbred families. The progeny of his foundation broodmares boast collective stake earnings in excess of $1.4 million. They also delivered him a host of feature race wins, particularly with juvenile pacers which became his trademark. Jasmarilla, True Roman, Jack Brandon, Ima Orphan, El Pablo, Gold Share, Six Oclock Rock, Next Bonus and Star Bonus are just some of the many quality horses Pocock has either bred, educated and/or trained. He was a member of the Bendigo Owners, Trainers and Drivers Association for 30 years since being elected its inaugural president in 1975. In his younger years, he also played a significant role in developing the fledgling harness racing industry in Victoria’s north and was among a handful of volunteers who worked to develop tracks in this region. Before his recent illness prevented him from continuing his participation in racing, Pocock committed his energy and passion to training one or two pacers and breeding from a small band of broodmares. Pocock’s son-in-law Bruce Winzar said a funeral service would be held on Thursday with a wake to be held at Lord’s Raceway.