The Queensland racing industry today is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame trainer, Pat Duff, who passed away last night.
Universally admired and respected, Pat was widely considered to be one of the true gentlemen of racing, enjoying a decorated training career that spanned more than 60 years.
Raised at Wondai in the South Burnett, Pat spent time training from the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Brisbane, registering his last winner at Ipswich just three weeks ago when Optimus Maximus saluted in a maiden.
He was 84-years-old.
“Pat’s influence on and off track over the last 60-odd years has been simply remarkable,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said.
“His ability to train horses was there for all to see, but he also had a great skill in developing people.
“He will be sorely missed.”
Over the journey, Pat trained some incredible thoroughbreds including Our Cavalier, a Queensland Horse of the Year, along with Scomeld, Handsome Prince, Star Of Florida, Hard Rock, Hard To Catch and Heart Of The Citi.
His Queensland feature wins included multiple Toowoomba Cups and Prime Minister’s Cups, a Magic Millions 3YO Trophy, a Weetwood Handicap, BTC Sprint and PJ O’Shea Stakes (now the Q22).
He also enjoyed interstate success with Star Of Florida winning an AJC San Domenico Stakes and a pair of AJC Challenge Stakes.
His stable was also a family affair with his twin brother, Cedric, working alongside him for more than 40 years, along with his deceased wife, Dina, and his children Michael, Peter and Suzanne.
“The family is overwhelmed by the love shown to Dad,” Michael Duff said.
“He loved horses, he loved the industry but most all he loved the people in it. He was a man of great integrity who did a job he loved for 60 years.
“We are proud of the positive impact he had on so many people’s lives and the industry. Our thanks to everyone who has reached out it is appreciated.”
Pat won three Toowoomba trainers’ premierships and also finished second in the 1990/91 metropolitan trainers’ premiership behind the legendary Bruce McLachlan.
In more recent years, he was inducted into the Queensland Hall of Fame and was also honoured by the Queensland arm of the Australian Trainers’ Association, who introduced the Pat Duff Trophy to recognise those who go above and beyond to assist their colleagues in the racing industry.
“He was a legend,” ATA Queensland representative Cameron Partington said.
“Just the respect people held for him with the way he conducted himself. That’s why we honoured him with the award that we put in place with the Pat Duff Trophy.
“He was as sharp as a tack right to the end, but his body just couldn’t fight anymore (after a recent fall).”
Aside from his training feats, Pat was highly regarded for his record mentoring apprentice jockeys, including the likes of Mick Dittman, Michael Pelling and Jim Byrne, who all came through his stable.
His support for female apprentices and jockeys was just as comparable, providing countless opportunities aboard his mounts.
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