Judy Fisher, one of the most successful greyhound trainers in the Nowra district for over two decades, died early Monday morning, aged 71.
Judy and her husband Ron, who sold his prosperous Nowra butchery in 2008 to concentrate on racing greyhounds with his wife, trained top notchers Domino Vitali, Harcool Lad and Indian Larry.
The versatile Domino Vitali won 17 of 33 races in 2009 and 2010 over distances ranging from 472m to 720m while Harcool Lad was a short course star who won 21 from 54 starts over 310m to 425m between December, 2011 and November, 2013.
But the Fishers always plumped for Indian Larry as their best, because while he won only nine of 35 races he contested 15 group events.
Judy Fisher spent several years employed as kennel foreman for leading south coast trainer Michael Abbott, and was his "right hand" when he was preparing the great Token Prince along with Wentworth Park top notchers Wonderous and Jaylo Blush.
Token Prince, who took out the 1997 Vince Curry Memorial Maiden at Ipswich and Sandown's 1997 Sapphire Crown, won nine of 13 starts and was a finalist in five group races.
"Judy deserved a lot of the credit for how well dogs like Token Prince went,'' Abbott said.
"I never had a better worker and while she and Ron were childhood sweethearts, when she was working for me my greyhounds came first.
"I have not seen a person love greyhounds as much as Judy did, she treated them like part of her family.
"She did everything perfectly and the dogs loved her, they responded to her care and attention, no question about it.
"Judy's death is absolutely heart-breaking news especially as she and Ron had just purchased a house at MUDGEE so they could be closer to their son Hayden and his family.''
Judy and Ron Fisher retired from training greyhounds in 2021 to spend time travelling and being with their family.
Greyhound Racing NSW wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Judy Fisher.
