Kevin Clunne, one of greyhound racing's true gentlemen, has died, aged 87.
Clunne, who was based in Campbelltown, was best known as the trainer of Syndicate, who won three successive races at Wentworth Park in 2015.
More recently he prepared Sleeping Slick, winner of 18 races from 2016 to 2019 and Mozzie, whose most recent of five wins was at Goulburn in September, 2020.
After Syndicate's first Wentworth Park win, in a fast 30.01 on May 2, 2015, Clunne told me: "I had greyhounds as a teenager and in my 20s but then got out of the sport to concentrate on looking after my family, wife Maureen and four sons.
"Maureen and I had been childhood sweethearts and when she passed away I was very depressed.
"Our sons Paul and Michael talked me into getting back into greyhounds to give me an interest and it started again from there.''
Paul Clunne said: "Dad was a great friend of the late Barry Lazzarini and to get my father going he gave him a dog called Dark Hawk. (winner of eight races in 2011).
"Not long after that dad paid $5000 for Syndicate and he became his best, a very good dog.
"Dad made some wonderful friends in the sport and there's no doubt greyhound folk are really special, caring people.''
Kevin Clunne was never a big time trainer but epitomised all that is good about our sport.
One night a visiting interstate trainer, at Wentworth Park on his own, was telling me he needed to find someone to catch his dog for him.
Kevin, standing nearby, overheard that conversation and immediately offered to become the greyhound's catcher.
Always ready to lend a hand like that, Kevin Clunne will be sorely missed.
His funeral is on Monday, October 24 at 11am at North Chapel, Forest Lawn, Camden Valley Way, Leppington.
GRNSW wishes to extend sincere condolences to Kevin Clunne's family and friends.
