Wednesday, 3 June 2009


Australian racing is mourning the loss of leading Queensland trainer Bruce McLachlan, who died suddenly on Tuesday night.

McLachlan, who reportedly suffered a heart attack, was 66.

His death comes only two months after star two-year-old Phelan Ready gave McLachlan his biggest triumph when he won the Golden Slipper at Rosehill in Sydney.

The victory in the world’s richest two-year-old was shared with his son Jason after they formed a training partnership late last year.

“It’s a wonderful thing for Jason at this stage of his career, it’s just a great thing,” McLachlan said during post-race celebrations.

Based at Caloundra, McLachlan was an Australian training force long before Phelan Ready’s Golden Slipper win.

After leaving the Queensland police force, McLachlan trained more than 3000 winners. He dominated the Brisbane trainers’ premiership during the 1980s and 1990s, winning the title 16 times.

He rose to national prominence with horses such as Planet Ruler, Chortle, St Jude, Al Mansour, Sublimate and Virage De Fortune.