The presence of Jeff Gadsden at Mildura Harness Racing Meetings was just as constant as the horses he loved – trademark bucket, cookie in his hand and chatting with friends outside the regular racing day stalls of the family.
After more than four decades in sport, the Mildura Harness Racing Community mourns the loss of the respected rider after a training accident in his Merbein -ownership.
Gadsden, 75, spoke in a fall during the jogging of a horse on August 16 and was flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he died on 26 August by his family.
For Gadsden, horses were a constant thread from childhood. When he grew up in Robinvale, 80 kilometers from Mildura, he learned to ride with the ponies of his family before continuing to store horses.
His introduction to Standardrs came in the late 1970s, when he and his wife Jennie rented their first Pacer. Their first winner came with Beau Walk in Nyah in December the following year.
From the moment he was behind a Pacer for the first time, Harness Races was in Jeff’s blood. He developed a reputation as a fine breaker and Farrier, all self -taught or learned from others around him.
For him, the joy was never alone in racing itself, but in the work to put the best in the horse.
“He was just an old rider,” said his son Michael.
“He has always taken into account that he was born too late – he would have liked to work the farm with horses, I think. He was friendly, and his horses were always so quiet that they are starting to learn to race for 10 or 20!” he said.
“Even when he was in the hospital after the accident, he told the nurses how beautiful horses are – that unless you work with them, you would not understand how beautiful they are.”
Jeff and Jennie were married for more than 50 years and dried fruit came to their property of Robinvale, but there was always time for the pride and their children Michael and Lucinda both inherited the interest of their parents.
The Gadsdens were integral members of the Robinvale Harness Racing Club, in which Jeff served conditions as a vice -president before she received the Life membership and Jennie a member of the club’s aid of the club.
Jeff was of course also part-time clerk during Robinvale limited meetings and it was Beau Walk, after his retirement of racing, that his clerk became.
After Jeff and Jennie withdrew about five years ago to a small building in Merbein, the couple enjoyed their best racing success.
With just a small team, Jeff was finally able to present his Horsemanship with horses such as Little Lovever, IM Stuck Man, Mustang Max and the exciting for the Nines.
In 2023 IM Stuck Man was crowned mildura horse of the year, a milestone that Jeff proudly noticed “44 years old in the making”. This season his most successful as a trainer had been and recorded a personal best nine winners.
Michael, now a professional trainer and Farrier based in Charlton with partner Emily Wombwell, said that his father was particularly proud of the Nines, a three -year -old with five wins and four placements this season.
“Dad would never say much, never continue how good the horse went – you just had to get rid of the atmosphere,” said Michael.
“But I know he was just colored with that little horse. He was very proud of him, in his calm way.”
Michael said during his 10 days in the hospital, Jeff was able to share last conversations with his family, including Jennie, Michael and Lucinda.
“He said he had had the best five years of his life since he and mother retired and spend more time doing what he really kept – his horses and grandchildren,” said Michael.
“He loved his grandchildren. He was so happy that Emily and I expect a baby in December – I think he had almost given me up!
“There are things he told us in those few days that he would not have said another moment. It was a difficult time, but at the same time you have half a smile on your face, grateful that we had him at all.”
By Terry Walk For Harnesslink
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