A celebration of Hall of Fame trainer Pat Duff’s life will be held at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Monday (December 2) from 10am AEST. The ceremony will be held in front of the Members Grandstand and tears are set to flow for the beloved horseman who touched the the lives of so many in the industry. The 84-year-old died on Saturday night after a recent fall and health issues that followed.
His family was by his side and he is said to have passed away peacefully. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Meanwhile, the family has acknowledged the many heartfelt messages and tributes for Duff. Racing presenter Kiaarn Dickens — who knew Duff from the Racing Queensland Apprentice School at Deagon — was in tears while on air as she spoke about the great man.
“Phrases like heart of gold, would give you the shirt off his back, kind-hearted, or generous can never accurately describe how special Pat was because he was so much more,” Dickens said. “His career as a Hall of Fame trainer is a beautiful story of hard work and success, along with helping many, many other participants to succeed along the way,” Dickens said. “I will miss your kindness, Pat, and the push you always gave me and other females in a male dominated industry to reach the stars.
“Scott St in Deagon has lost a treasure in the man who always left people better than he found them.” Legendary jockey Mick Dittman — who spent two years of his apprenticeship with Duff — was also shattered. “The.