Guy Walter passes away

Champion trainer Guy Walter has died aged 59 after suffering a heart attack this morning.

Walter, who enjoyed great success with star galloper Tie the Knot, had experienced Group One victories with Appearance and Streama this season. Streama took out the Group One Doomben Cup last Saturday.

Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V'landys paid tribute to the popular horseman.

“Guy was one of the most popular and humble trainers I have ever met. I guarantee you would not find one person with a bad word for Guy, he was a very genuine, kind and respectful person," Mr V'landys said.

“Guy was a man of the highest integrity and professionalism, and a wonderful role model for the racing industry.

“As the mark of the man, when Guy mentored apprentices he would call Racing NSW and insist we do not credit him for the usual 25% of the apprentice's earnings. He wanted the fee to go back to the apprentice.

“Guy achieved some amazing success during his career and he will be sadly missed.”

The sentiments were echoed by NSW Trainers Association Chief Executive Steve McMahon.

“This is a shockingly sad day. Besides being a brilliant trainer, Guy was a once of the nicest men you'll ever meet," Mr McMahon said.

“He was polite, courteous and a real thinker that never complained. Our thoughts are with his wife Wendy, their family and the whole racing family at Warwick Farm and beyond.”

Walter began working in the racing industry as a strapper in the 1970's for legendary trainer Bart Cummings and Neville Begg.

He then started his training career on the South Coast of NSW before moving to Warwick Farm.

It was in the late '90s that his career rose to unbelievable heights, training champion Tie the Knot to a then Australian record of 13 Group One wins. The record stood until 2013 when broken by Black Caviar.

In recent years it had been a pair of mares, Streama and Appearance, that brought Walter many more Group One successes.

Streama brought up her fourth Group One at Doomben on Saturday in what Walter believed would be her last race before retirement. Appearance had been retired earlier this year after also winning four Group One's.

The death has left the racing community shocked.

My heart goes out to Wendy and the rest of the family . Our thought are with you xx
- Tommy Berry (@TommyBerry21) May 22, 2014

Absolutely devastated... Speechless
- Kathy O'Hara (@Kathy_ohara) May 22, 2014

Very sad to hear the passing of Guy Walter. A true Gentleman. Condolences to Wendy and the family #RIPGUY
- BRENTON AVDULLA (@brentonavdulla) May 22, 2014

Australian racing had lost a true giant with great trainer Guy Walter passing away this morning. Family have now confirmed. A very sad day.
- Shane Anderson (@Globalgallop) May 22, 2014