In the thoroughbred world Guy Walter was a rarity. An unselfish workaholic, Walter had an innate understanding of the racehorse.
A man that said little, one that chose words carefully, and gave little away. The type who continually paid tribute to others, human and horse, when he made it all happen.
Walter was a well read man whose knowledge of all manner of world events, present and past, may well have been little known.
Guy Walter passed away on Thursday morning at age 59. A heart attack took the life of a thorough good guy who happened to train the thoroughbred.
“Like everyone in the racing industry, we are shaken by the tragic news of Guy’s passing,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys told the Herald.
“Guy was one of the most popular and humble trainers I have ever met. I guarantee you would not find one person with a bad word for Guy; he was a very genuine, kind and respectful person.”
On Racenet V’Landy’s said “Guy was a man of the highest integrity and professionalism” and “a wonderful role model for the racing industry.”
“As the mark of the man, when Guy mentored apprentices he would call Racing NSW and insist we do not credit him for the usual 25 percent of the apprentice’s earnings,” V’Landys revealed. “He wanted the fee to go back to the apprentice.”
NSW Trainers Association chief executive Steve McMahon said:
“this is a shockingly sad day” and added “besides being a brilliant trainer, Guy was one of the nicest men you’ll ever meet.”
Walter learnt this fine art from some of the best. There was a stint at Bart Cummings’ where he strapped Think Big when the stayer won the 1974 Melbourne Cup.
Time was spent at the stables of revered horseman like Neville Begg and Kevin Robinson who was one of the harness racing greats.
The last of 36 group 1 winners Walter trained arrived last Saturday at Doomben when Streama won the Doomben Cup.
Streama was ridden by Melbourne Cup winning jockey Blake Shinn, whose career has been one of ups and downs, paid a glowing tribute to Walter.
“Nature’s kindest gentlemen,” Shinn told Racenet. “To be called his stable jockey was an honour. He was like a father to me and I’ll miss him dearly.”
As for history who can forget Walter’s 2005 Doncaster Handicap performance. Patezza beat Court’s In Sessions and Danni Martine providing Walter with the honour of becoming the first trainer to prepare the first three home in the toughest mile on the Australian Racing calendar.
There was the magnificent galloper Tie The Knot. Walter prepared him to win 13 group 1s which has only been bettered since the category was introduced by Kingston Town and Black Caviar. The mighty mare Sunline also won 13.
There were so many more good horses but unfortunately there will be no more.
“He was polite, courteous and a real thinker that never complained,” McMahon said.
“Our thoughts are with his wife Wendy, their family and the whole racing family at Warwick Farm and beyond.”
Guy Walter remains a champion. He will be missed.
By Craig Young
