Turf Talk: Pioneering trainer Mary Reveley has died suddenly, aged 76

PIONEERING racing trainer Mary Reveley has died aged 76.
The late Mary Reveley.The late Mary Reveley.
The late Mary Reveley.

The former dual-purpose trainer, who saddled over 2,000 winners – the most by any female trainer – died of a suspected heart attack at her family’s North Yorkshire stables.

Son Keith Reveley said: “She was walking about the yard and was with Gill Boanas, who is training there now.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She was around the horses, feeding them, and basically collapsed of a suspected heart attack.

“We’re all still in shock, but it’s just typical of her that she was around horses right up to the end.”

Based at Groundhill Farm stables in Saltburn, Cleveland, Mary Reveley took out a training licence with just four horses in 1982 but soon emerged as a powerhouse of the northern circuit.

She was the first woman in Britain to saddle 100 winners in a calendar year, having reached the significant milestone in 1991.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the same year, she landed the Cambridgeshire handicap at Newmarket with her favourite horse, Mellottie.

In 1992, she became the only British female to claim 50 victories in a Flat season.

She twice won the Cesarewitch with Old Red (1995) and Turnpole (1997), while the likes of Cab On Target, Marello, Seven Towers and Into The Red secured big-race victories over jumps for Reveley.

She retired from training in 2004 and passed on the baton to her son, who announced his own retirement in January.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Keith said: “The only good thing was that she didn’t suffer at all.

“She always loved being on the farm and wasn’t ever keen on going to the races as she just wanted to be around the horses.

“She did it all without any publicity and always wanted to stay out of the limelight.

“Even in spite of not wanting publicity, she was sent all these horses and enjoyed wonderful success.”

TURF TALK TIPS

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

CHELMSFORD: 5.25 Etisalat, 5.55 Far Dawn, 6.25 Wootyhoot, 6.55 Battersea, 7.25 Gorgeous Noora, 7.55 Impart, 8.30 Born To Finish, 9.00 Dream Revival.

LINGFIELD: 12.15 Bubble And Squeak, 12.45 Dukeofwallingford, 1.20 MUFFRI’HA (NAP), 1.50 Mr Bossy Boots, 2.25 Pacharana (next best), 2.55 Scrafton, 3.30 Circulation, 4.00 La Isla Bonita.

SEDGEFIELD: 1.00 Beau Bay, 1.30 Court Liability, 2.05 Quietly, 2.35 Sun Cloud (treble), 3.10 Fact Of The Matter, 3.40 Sophie Olivia, 4.10 Baraboy.

STRATFORD: 1.40 King Calvin, 2.15 Mizen Master, 2.45 Rock On Rocky, 3.20 Faheem, 3.50 Keeper Hill, 4.20 Amber Gambler.

Related topics: