Vale Phil Pryor

[Wandering Eyes]

Greyhound racing ‘jack of all trades’ Phillip (Phil) Pryor – has died, aged 74. He passed away on Tuesday, May 3.

Pryor made an outstanding contribution to the industry as a breeder-studmaster and administrator.

He served as a Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association director (Olympic Park), inaugural committee member of the Healesville GRC, and Racing Appeals & Disciplinary (RAD) Board member.

And he was awarded Warragul GRC life membership, having served on the committee for 12 years and as president for five years.

“What you saw is what you got… He had a real passion for the sport.”

A former private investigator, Pryor and his wife (Barbara) were once vociferous GOTBA advocates.

He raced inaugural GRV Hall of Fame inductee Head Honcho, which won 18 races from 20 starts, and later became a leading stud dog – Victorian Sires’ Premiership (1996-2001). In 1999, he sired 249 metropolitan winners.

Melbourne Greyhound Racing chairman Eddie Caruana said Pryor was a “lovely man, a real genuine person – one of nature’s gentlemen”.

“I enjoyed my time with him at the MGRA and he was a great contributor to our discussions at committee meetings. He was missed when he returned to his ‘local roots’.”

Sandown Greyhound Racing Club chairman Neil Brown said Pryor made an “enormous contribution to the industry right across the board”.

“What you saw is what you got… He had a real passion for the sport.

“Phil was a leader in stud ranks and was always at the forefront of what was good for the industry.

“He was a popular figure and extremely approachable. He made many friends in the industry and will be sadly missed.”

NB. Pryor’s funeral details are yet to be announced.

CLICK HERE  – GRV HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE – HEAD HONCHO

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