Vale history making trainer Rex Cochrane

[Wandering Eyes]

Rex Cochrane, the first trainer to reach 1000 wins in New Zealand, has passed away. Photo: Tayler Strong

Rex Cochrane will forever be remembered as an outstanding horseman and one of the racing industry’s true gentlemen.

The champion trainer recently passed away at the age of 93 and following his hugely successful career had retired in 1994 to Alexandra with his late wife Betty.

The highly respected Cochrane was based for decades at Gore and won the New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership in 1969/70 (55 winners), 70/71 (54) and the 71/72 (53) seasons.

He was the first trainer to send out 1000 winners, reaching that historic mark in 1980 when Palimony was victorious at Waimate, and that year was also named as the country’s Racing Personality of the Year.

Cochrane’s achievements were recognised in 2014 when he was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.

Fellow trainer, Hall of Famer and friend Brian Anderton said Cochrane was a remarkable horseman, who always conducted himself impeccably.

“I knew Rex for a long, long time and he was one of nature’s gentlemen and a magnificent trainer,” he said.

“He was the first to get to 1000 winners, but apart from that he was a guy that never had horses bought for him.

“He tried the mares, whether they were any good or not, and then sent them home and their foals later came back to him.

“He won races with a lot of horses that weren’t well bred, he just got the best out of all of them.”

Cochrane was initially apprenticed as a 14-year-old to his father Jim and rode 34 winners on the flat, over fences and in saddle trots before increasing weight took its toll.

He subsequently entered into a training partnership with his father and on his passing in 1957 began his record-breaking solo career that amassed 1486 winners.

Dual Great Autumn Handicap winner Court Belle, 16-time winner Yipp’s Secret were among Cochrane’s flagship gallopers while Connie Lawn, successful in the South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes and South Island Filly of the Year Double D’ Or were also top performers.

Cogitation and Ocean Guard were two of his most versatile performers with the former winning the Riverton Cup, New Zealand Grand National Hurdles and New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase.

Ocean Guard triumphed in the Riverton Cup, Great Western Steeples and New Zealand Grand National Hurdles.

Cochrane was also a great mentor and over the years guided the careers of 14 apprentices, among them the multiple Group One winner Jim Collett and Steve Allan, who won the New Zealand Cup on the Anderton-trained Watallan.

He is survived by daughters Robyn, who with husband and former All Black Bevan Wilson has furthered the Cochrane family racing heritage with marked success as owners and trainers, and Judith, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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