Bobby Riley, who trained crack 1970s sprinters Market Row, Probing and Dark Onyx, has died, aged 86.
Riley, who learned his "trade" from Kensington trainer Les "Java Joe" Kirkman, owner of champion 60s sprinter Sammie Sparrow, grew up in Rozelle before moving to The Entrance.
Darren Russell, whose greyhound Precious Sal set the still unmatched Maitland 400m record of 21.87 in January, 2018, and is now among Queensland's leading trainers, said: "I used to walk Bobby's dogs for him when I was a 16-year-old kid living at Rozelle.
"I was his strapper for 15 years until I moved to Queensland but whenever I brought dogs to race at Wentworth Park or Maitland I always stayed with Bobby at his home at The Entrance.
"I learned a heck of a lot about training greyhounds from Bobby.''
Bobby Riley's son Darren Riley was a first grade rugby league player for Balmain Tigers and the Manly Sea Eagles in the late 80s, and was considered among the three fastest wingers in the competition.
Funeral of Bobby Riley will be at 12.15 on Friday, February 10, at Palm Chapel, Macquarie Park Cemetery, corner of Plassy and Delhi Roads, North Ryde. The service will be followed by a burial at 1.30 at Field Of Mars Cemetery, Quarry Road, Ryde. A wake will begin at 2.30 at the Hunters Hill Club, Madeline St., Hunters Hill.
GRNSW wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Bobby Riley on their loss.
