VETERAN TRAINER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 119, 19 April 1945, Page 8

VETERAN TRAINER

DEATH OF M. HOBBS. (Press Assn.) CHRiSTCHURCTI, April 17. The death has occurred of Mr Murray Hobbs, aged 82. The early part of his life was spent in South Canterbury, where he first became associated with, racing about 1880. Among the early winners he trained were Jackdaw, Borderman, Shadow, Shamrock, llinerua, Our Pony, Makarakara, lonic, and Leopold. From Timaru ho went to Ashburton. and at a later date he took over the Racecourse Hotel at Riccarlon

At both these places he continued . his active, association \yth racing, and he raced Lady Zetland with much success. She was the, first horse to win the Great Easter and Great Autumn double, and the New Zealand Cup and Canterbury Cun were other races she won in Mr Hobbs's colours. Prima Warden also won for him flip. Canterbury Cup; Benzoin' the Stewards' Handicap. Ivanoff the Welcome Slakes and Dundas was successful in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, Great Autumn Handicap, and Dunedin Cup when raced in partnership with Mr Campbell Hobbs. a brother of the trainer." Mr Hobbs also won the Grand National Steeplechase , and other jumping races with Moody, and the brothers were joint-owners of Prime Warden when he won the Great Autumn Handicap. Mr Hobbs trained Saracen for .MI;. Allen, his wins including the Great Easter Handicap and the Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap. Among later owners he trained for were Mr J. B. Reid and Mr J. C. Grigg. one of the last horses to be in his care being imported Gay Lad. He took Kilboy to Australia to wiii the A..T.C. Derby for Messrs W. G. Stead and E. S. Luttrell, and he also had charge of Sasanof for the same owners when he won the Melbourne Cup a few weeks later. In his young days Mr Hobbs had a great deal of success as an athlete.