Horse racing community rocked by tragic sudden passing of trainer Robbie Laing

•  Tributes have flowed in for Robbie Laing
•  Laing passed away in his sleep aged 67

By JAMES COONEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 06:31 BST, 8 June 2025 | Updated: 07:32 BST, 8 June 2025

The racing community has been rocked by the sudden death of Group 1-winning trainer Robbie Laing, who passed away in his sleep overnight.

Laing, 67, won five Group 1’s and notched up a total of 930 winners throughout his legendary training career.

He trained Roman Arch to an upset victory in the Australian Cup at Flemington in 2006.

Seven years later, Laing’s powerful Polanski claimed victory in the 2013 Victoria Derby.

In recent years, the horseman had come back from bankruptcy to return to the top ranks of racing.

Tributes have flowed in from racing personalities following the tragic news.

The racing community has been rocked by the sudden death of trainer Robbie Laing

The legendary 67-year-old horseman passed away in his sleep on Saturday night

‘Thoughts to the extensive family and many friends of legendary horseman Robbie Laing on hearing his sudden passing,’ wrote journalist Bruce Clark.

RIP Robbie Laing – a great horseman and such a likeable bloke,’ posted Peter Angus.

‘Often I would tell Robbie Laing he should write a book. Highly entertaining, great storyteller, incredible knowledge and not afraid to be different,’ posted presenter Ben Sporle. 

Ex-jockey and trainer Gavin Bedggood remembered the trainer as ‘a man who was very good to me’.

‘Gave me my first horse as a trainer, many winners as a rider and plenty of advice over the years. Was never given the credit he deserved as a trainer — always had a good two-year-old, handicapper and jumper. Rest easy,’ he posted to X.

Robbie Griffiths, Australian Trainers’ Association president, also paid tribute.

‘He was an outstanding trainer who always thought outside the square, producing some incredible feats including winning the Grand Annual over 5500 metres first-up from a spell with Sir Pentire,’ Griffiths said.

‘Robbie would win the first two-year-old race of the season and everything in between.

‘He mastered beach training long before the modern trend, and had an incredible eye for value purchasing VRC Derby winner Polanski for only $4000.

‘He was a great historian with unbelievable passion for his roots and his love for the Epsom training centre, where he began his training career.

‘An exceptional footballer, champion trainer and pedigree guru all rolled into a colourful and resilient character who was never short of a story to tell. Robbie will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.’

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Horse racing community rocked by tragic sudden passing of trainer Robbie Laing

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