George Mills, the Cootamundra builder who became one of NSW's leading owner-breeders, has died aged 86.
Former leading trainer Ken Staines, now retired and living in Tweed Heads, trained most of the top notchers bred and raced by Mills and his son Gregg, who is still involved in the sport.
"I trained Raven Izmir to win the 2018 Lismore Cup for George and Gregg, along with Glorious Izmir, winner of the 2019 Ipswich Young Guns Classic final,'' Staines said.
"Chevron Izmir was a top class stayer for us and she was favourite for a 720m Sydney Cup at Wentworth Park but unfortunately took ill on the morning of the final and had to be scratched.
"Potentially the best greyhound I trained for George was Montana Izmir, who won three 520m races in a row in 2013 at Wentworth Park clocking 29.89, 29.67 and 29.63.
"She was running home in 11.60 and I was convinced she was going to become a champion stayer.
"But George was a firm believer in bitches having to be retired after not many more than 30 starts.
"He considered they had to be retired lightly raced if they were to become successful brood bitches so he got me to pull the pin on Montana Izmir after she had 31 races and before she had the chance to prove herself as a stayer.
"I was terribly disappointed at the time but despite that we never had a cross word about that or anything else for that matter.
"I trained dogs for over 40 years for George Mills and he was a pleasure to train for, so easy to get along with at all times.''
GRNSW and its staff wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the Mills family and their friends on their loss.
