Top trainer leaves ‘huge hole’
The death of popular horseman Michael Daly leaves a big hole in the South Canterbury racing community according to his friends, family and colleagues.
The 54-year-old, who had suffered a stroke when riding trackwork in late October, died in Christchurch on Friday.
Daly, who operated from his Timaru base, had several quality horses through his hands over his 28-year training career including ninerace winner Turf Fire, Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner Belmont Cat and more recently the stakes placed Don Carlo, who won eight races for him.
South Canterbury Racing Club chairman Noel Walker said Daly, who was a ‘‘good, hard bugger’’, would have trained about 20 per cent of the horses at Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru at any given time.
‘‘He was a really big part of the racing club, there’s a huge hole now that he’s gone.’’
Aimee Dunnage, who worked alongside Daly as a track rider, said he was ‘‘never one to sugarcoat things’’.
‘‘He would always let you know what he thought of something. I think that’s why we got on so well,’’ Dunnage said.
‘‘But he would drop everything to help someone, it didn’t matter who you were and where you came from, he treated everyone the same.’’
Daughter Alesha Bradford said they had lost a ‘‘really great father and grandfather’’.
‘‘He will be very much missed. We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from the racing community,’’ Bradford said.
Daly is survived by his three children, Alesha, Scott and Zoe, and their families.