Illustrious trainer Geoff Wragg passes over at 87
Trainer Geoff Wragg. He was a key member of the racing dynasty that flourished in Newmarket for nearly a century. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Wragg was always adamant that in their 3 decades working together, he and his father had only one dispute – nothing to do with racing.
- He took over at Abington Place on Bury Road, his home since 1947.
- Wragg was always adamant that in their 3 decades working together, he and his father had only one dispute – nothing to do with racing.
Geoff Wragg was a key member of the racing dynasty that flourished in Newmarket for nearly a century.
A latecomer to training ranks, Wragg quickly made up for lost time when becoming the first to saddle a Derby winner in his initial year as a licence-holder.
This was when Teenoso gave Lester Piggott his ninth and final triumph in the 1983 Blue Riband.
After serving as understudy to his father Harry for a remarkable 28 years, it was no surprise Geoff knew plenty when his father finally retired at the age of 80.
He took over at Abington Place on Bury Road, his home since 1947.
TACTICS
Geoff showed a youthful exuberance that enabled him to hit the ground running. He was not afraid to travel horses, achieving overseas success and worldwide acclaim with Teenoso, plus other high-calibre horses like Pentire and First Island, in a career that spanned 26 years, until retirement.
His father Harry, known as The Head Waiter for exaggerated waiting tactics, was five months away from a second Derby success on Blenheim and would become the champion Flat jockey of 1941.
This father/son association. went on to acquire multiple success at highest levels, triumphing again when On The House won the 1,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes.
Wragg was always adamant that in their 3 decades working together, he and his father had only one dispute – nothing to do with racing.
On assuming control at Abington Place at the end of 1982, Wragg inherited a yard full of top stock owned by the likes of Eric Moller and Sir Philip Oppenheimer - long-standing owner-breeders.
INJURY
Teenoso's Derby was pretty slow on today's standards, but after an injury, he returned better than ever, notably landing the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. and, King George VI Queen Elizabeth Stakes, at Ascot - a race he also eclipsed with Pentire.
His staff never changed, which tells you an awful lot about what an employer he was. He leaves a big hole in the community.
Wragg, had been ill for a long time, sold the main house and stables at Abington Place in 2011, but converted a stable portion, into a neat place to stay. He leaves his wife Patricia and a zillion friends.
