Veteran Morrinsville coach Warren Taylor is remembered as a “brilliant rider” and “a special man”.
The 85-year-old farmer and horse breeder/trainer died this weekend in the Waikato hospital.
Since the early nineties, he was known for his association with the “Castleton” horses, who train 44 winners. He also had 11 driving successes. His best artist was George Castleton who won eight, including the mentioned Greenlane Cup from 2006 in Alexandra Park, while Sapphire Castleton had 10 victories between 2010 and 2017.
His last training success was with Topaz Castleton in August last year.
Recently his only horse at work has been Rebel Castleton, who had five starts for one placement.
“He was one of those horse whisperers,” says granddaughter and top northern junior driver Alicia Harrison.
Originally from Northland Taylor came from a large family and was a top polo player in his time, who represented new Zeeland.
“He was a brilliant rider, especially in breaking them and things like that. Plus he could make everything he ever wanted.”
“His health had been bad in recent months,” says Harrison, “but he still worked the horse last Tuesday. He was as heavy as they became.”
Harrison had a special bond with the man she called ‘Pop’. She lived with him on and off since she was a teenager.
“I would do the horses before I went to school.”
“And when I was with Arna (Donnelly), I lived with him for seven years.”
“I would come home and my washing would be ready and he would eat on the table.”
Since then she moved to the north to Stonewall Stud and now works at Tony Herlihy’s in Papakura.
“But we would be video calls almost every day.”
Now Harrison will ensure that Taylor’s memory lives on.
She will take over the training of Rebel Castleton and in the future will train in his blue and white colors.
“I had my own colors, but Pop thought they were a bit simple anyway,” she laughs.
The new combo debuts on Friday in Alexandra Park, a day before Taylor is officially farewell.
She hopes that she can do “pop”.
“I was lucky that I had him in my life.”
A celebration of the life of Warren Taylor will be held this Saturday at 1 p.m. in Cambridge Raceway.
By means of Dave di SommaHarness News Desk
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